Turbo going out?

[Strokin 6.0]

i have an 03 turbo with 74,000 on it and about a week ago it started to not whistle anymore. now it just growls with a very deep tone at idle and at any rpm range. if i put my foot in it it will whistle a bit a higher rpms. it will blow quite a bit of smoke if i floor it at low rpms, much more then normal, and it takes longer to build boost. however, it will get up to 30lbs like it usually does when i get on it. are my vanes sticking or is she done? any help would be greatly appreciated

[motoxracer42]

doesnt sound like she is done. the vien's could be sticking open or you might need a new soleniod.

[Strokin 6.0]

i didnt think she was done. shes still makin plenty of power. are you talking about the vgt solenoid?

[motoxracer42]

yea the vgt solenoid or maybe even a damaged wire leading to it. but probably sticking viens.

[Strokin 6.0]

sweet, do you know how hard or easy it is to change that solenoid?

[motoxracer42]

its easy, just unplug it and take the bolt out that holds it on the turbo. you might be able to do it while its in the truck. i would recommend cleaning the veins and then if it doesnt work then change the soleniod. they are like $200 for a soleniod unless you can find them cheaper somewhere else. you might just have to clean the solenoid its hard to tell.

[Strokin 6.0]

ill take a look at it. thanks for your help man, i appreciate it

[reidicus]

If you have the time, patients and a beer, you can clean the turbo yourself. I know there is a procedure to clean the vein side of the turbo which will make it run like new. I pulled my 04 turbo apart. As far as I know it was running great with over 200,000 km on it. I decided to clean it one day and found that it was definetly on its last legs. Pitting was starting to form under the veins and there is no way to fix it after seeing that. Oh well, another addition to the parts bin.

[400hpexcursion]

74,000 miles i'd be happy with now that I'm out of warranty. i have't had on last more than 10,000. 50 some thou on the truck. last on went at 1,000 miles factory defect.