This applies only to Barthers with the GM 6.5L TD, and it may not to those with stock engines, because boost is limited to around 6-7 psi.

Last September while driving down I-95, I got sudden consistent black smoke, power loss, and increased EGT. This repeated several times but I was able to limp home. Peninsular Diesel, which built the engine, was prompt to replace the turbo under warranty.

Last week, again on I-95, within a few miles, actually (except northbound this time) of where the September incident occurred, similar symptoms, except I now have a boost gage. Whenever I pushed boost beyond 10 psi, it would drop to 1.5 psi, and I again got the black smoke, power loss, and climbing EGT.

So I called Peninsular Diesel, and asked what turned out to be wrong with the old turbo. "Nothing," I was told - and it was installed on another engine without incident.

Now the installation on mine uses the stock GM filter assembly, and the post-filter intake goes into the turbo intake by way of a molded rubber tube. Peninsular's info was all I needed to isolate the cause.

"Electrolux!" I shouted (figuratively, of course)I found the culprit - the air filter element was clogged, so that when the turbo caused suction to support 10 psi boost, the rubber tube collapsed. I changed the element, and could run at normal full-throttle 15 psi without incident.

Now I'll change filters at 8K mile intervals instead of around 15K (annually).

"It's always something!" Gilda Radner as Roseanne Roseannadanna, on Saturday Night Live

Rusty, a lot of larger filters now have the little spring loaded green/red latching thingamagigs. Not sure if they are easily found but one of them on the lp side of the filter would be nice.

You can find the restriction gauge at almost any truck parts place. Mandatory equipment in my humble opinion. In fact I need to find them for our cars.

quote:

Originally posted by Gary Carter:
Mandatory equipment in my humble opinion. In fact I need to find them for our cars.

Yes. They pay for themselves.

I use Filter Minders on all my vehicles to avoid unnecessary filter replacement. They also help debunk advertising claims of this or that filter giving more power. If yer old filter ain't restrictive, a different filter won't make more power.

On my 4WD it tells me when it has breathed too much dust.

I even have a temporary lashup for motorcycles, just to test now and then.

Yeah, I intend to get one before my next OTR trip in late June...