Turbo Spooling problem

S

seahawk

New Member
May 2, 2009
15
I have a 1998 480 Sedan Bridge with Cat 3196 TA engines. The STBD turbo seems to be having trouble spooling up. At first it was a little sluggish in matching the port engine RPMs with the engine sync on. It would however catch up in a couple seconds. This past weekend, it did not spool up at all on the first or second try. Came up fine on the third and forth attempt and down again on what was my last attempt.

Just to make sure it is not something as simple as a dirty air filter I am have it changed before I look at replacing the turbo.

Has anyone had a similar problem and what was the result?
 
Have you checked your plug wires? How about your fuel, are you running hi-test or regular?


Sorry....couldn't resist
 
running Diesel and the racor filters were replaced right before the problem started. If I somehow got air in the system when I changed the racor filters would it have this type of symptom?
 
Is there a restriction on the turbine side? How about the turbo shaft - does it move freely by hand? How much slop/play is there in the shaft - will the compressor fins touch the sidewall?
 
Make sure the filter is on tight and all the pre filters fuel hoses are in good shape.
Sucking any air into the fuel line will cut back on fuel to engine.
Lack of fuel makes for lack of exhaust gases to spin the turbo.
Not that I learned this working on a 18' bow rider.:smt043
I spent a lot of time on the Turbo Diesel registry building up my 5.9 Cummins turbo diesel.
 
A Cat turbo not spooling up when you advance the throttle is rare and indicates a problem with intake air restriction or with the turbo or waste gate itself. Since the 3196 is the engine with a known defect in the aftercooler, I think I wouldn't try to fix this on a boating forum and would call my Caterpillar dealer today. If you have a failed aftercooler, you are most likely ingesting water thru the turbocharger and getting Cat involved quickly may save a major repair.

Good luck wih it............
 
I have someone on the way to check the air filter and visually inspect the shaft and blades and see if it moves freely by hand. If all looks good I will give it another quick trail and if any issues still exist then call Cat. FYI, these engines were inspected by Cat about 6 months ago and did have the latest aftercoolers.
 
I had 3196's on my boat before they were replaced with C-12's. What you are describing sounds like the same problem that I had with the aftercoolers . After a period of time you will find that the engine will not rev up at all and will only pour black smoke out the exhaust. Note the revs when thsmmoke starts. My 3196 turbos kicked in at 1,600 rpm, up to that point the engine was fine. Beyond 1,600 the computer started injecting higher quantities of fuel expecting more air, which is not there.

There is a moisture reflief valve on the right side of the ngine toward the back, if this valve has salt on it you have an aftercooler problem.

Good luck
 
I will look for the relief valve this weekend. Also, I do not have any smoke as this is occurring?
 
The mechanic pulled off the air breather and said it had lateral movement which is bad. My question is does this make sense with the symptoms that I stated? Does anyone know where I can exchange for a turbo already rebuilt?
 
I am not familiar with after coolers or computerized engines, Only the turbos, intercoolers and wastegates.
Since you mentioned the problem started after a filter change, Then thats a indication where the problem may be.

Seems very strange a computer engine with all the sensors and BS would give an engine more fuel because its Expecting/Guessing there's more air when its not there :huh:And you pay for all these high$$ sensors why :huh:

Sure is a shame they got away from mechanical injection pumps. Pump sends fuel to engine, More fuel = more power and exhaust gases spinning the turbo faster for more air,boost, and power.
If you get High EGTs You have the option of bigger turbo or cut back fuel. The DIY can slide or change out a fuel plate in the pump as he chooses. Four screws and pick your power.

You can learn this stuff on Internet forums. Or as some may suggest. You can sell your computer to cover a mechanics bill. When your stuff doesn't stink, Then there's no good advice on any forum. Then pay 100.00 hr to have someone come over and see if a turbo blade spins or tighten up the loose fuel hose to the Racor. :smt021 There's a price for being snooty. I'm sure glad I didnt repower with a diesel. The gas engine section of CSR is a much happier place.
 
seahawk said:
The mechanic pulled off the air breather and said it had lateral movement which is bad. My question is does this make sense with the symptoms that I stated? Does anyone know where I can exchange for a turbo already rebuilt?
Click to expand...
If he is talking the turbo wheel having slop. You could lose airflow past the wheel. Or it could hit the turbo housing. slowing the wheel down causing loss of boost.

Im done here and dont belong here because my boats too small.:lol::lol::lol: And my poopy doesn't stink either:wow:
 
Try to keep things in perspective..........

The responses here aren't because poopy smells. They are about helping another CSR member get the right answer quickly so he doesn't damage or further damage an expensive engine. This isn't a Dodge truck engine where you can pick up a replacement tomorrow in a junk yard for $1800......it is an electronic Caterpillar with a known aftercooler defect. The repair cost if the aftercooler failed and he runs the engine under load is close to $65,000........waiting on Caterpillar to make one will take the rest of Seahawk's boating season.
 
I am not sure what the "air breather" is, can you enlighten me? I have had to replace the exhaust half of the turbo becasue of a riser leak, but I did not have to replace the the blades.
 
fwebster said:
Try to keep things in perspective..........

The responses here aren't because poopy smells. They are about helping another CSR member get the right answer quickly so he doesn't damage or further damage an expensive engine. This isn't a Dodge truck engine where you can pick up a replacement tomorrow in a junk yard for $1800......it is an electronic Caterpillar with a known aftercooler defect. The repair cost if the aftercooler failed and he runs the engine under load is close to $65,000........waiting on Caterpillar to make one will take the rest of Seahawk's boating season.
Click to expand...
Keeping things into perspective.......
He said he has late model aftercoolers and the engine was checked out six months ago.
Going on to the WWW is a good way for getting hopefully lots of good possibility's and more knowledge of your engine or engines in general. A cheap weed eater engine or a unreliable overpriced Cat engine all work basically the same.
So your statement of me owning a cheap junkyard Cummins turbo diesel means my possible fixes have no merrett? Correction... You said I have a Dodge engine :huh::huh:
That junkyard Dodge engine you mentioned is also used at truck pulls and drag races pushing over 1200 lbs tq and 850 HP. It is also used in the marine environment. So I know a few things about diesels. Ive also driven 18 wheelers with some having 500hp diesels for the last 29 yrs.
My concern would be getting answers from some guy, Trying to sound impressive stating how expensive these special Cat engines are. At least you didn't call it a Sea Ray engine :lol: Its just a stupid engine. The air/fuel goes in. Goes bang, then comes out. Thats it.
Park it, learn what you can. Then talk to a few mechanics.
I'll leave the big boat owners alone now in there little circle.:smt101 Because there special:lol::smt043
 
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Your right. The weed eater does not have a computer, turbo or aftercooler. :smt021 But no well known engine defects either :lol:
Dang, I tryed for the SPOTD award the other day.
Unfortunately, Your vote does not count. Now go back and fight with your angry wife.
 
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I would also suggest getting CAT out there to have a look. This is not a DIY project.
I went through similar issues with 3176's.
A good CAT tech can go right to the problem and there may be some help from CAT if it is the aftercooler but those engines are getting up there in years so they may not cover it.
You can also go to boatdiesel.com and look at the 3196 threads.
 
You don't need to call Cat... don't listen to these people. I'll send you this:

jd4781.jpg


And it'll have everything you need to know.
 
It's electric.
 
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