Need Cummins Mechanic Albuquerque

Melbo · August 31, 2011, 01:02:19 PM

Got an odd situation with my L10 and looking for a mechanic before next week.

I can get it taken care of then but would like something sooner.

Any suggestions??

Thanks

Melbo

Flatspot · August 31, 2011, 04:20:37 PM

Melbo

Just sent you a PM

Melbo · September 02, 2011, 09:30:28 PM

Thanks Larry -- I seem to have an intermittent turbo problem. I lost an oil line and dumped a bunch of oil -- replaced the lines and now the turbo MOSTLY works but then I will get a spell with LOTS of white smoke and what seems like raw fuel -- no rhyme or reason to it and Cummins Rocky Mountain can't fit me in til Tuesday after the holiday (I know patience is a virtue but not one I have)--- I would like to be in Colorado by then so I tried to make a break for it and it didn't go well --- I am at an RV park in Albuquerque for now. Looking for options and / or solutions.

Thanks

Melbo

JohnEd · September 04, 2011, 07:55:10 AM

Isn't a turbo boost gauge "standard equipment"? If you don't have one of those you might consider installing one while you wait. Might keep you from being bamboozeled by a shop. I always thought it would be nice to see a turbine failure coming.

One "rule" is always go to what you touched last to find your current problem. I guess that takes you to the turbo but you seem to be there already.

If your oiling problem has damaged the turbo I can only think that the damage would be to the bearings. If there is any bearing damage then you have the distinct possibility of turbine failure and shrapnel from the compressor side. I guess with a intercooler the shrapnel wouldn't be that big a problem like in the DD 2 stroke. If the turbine wheel fails on either side might it not take out the turbine housing and void it's exchange value?

You might try asking the board for the availability of a used turbine replacement and the best deal and location on a rebuilt.

I read long ago that a bad or failing turbine was detectable by simply spinning the wheel with your finger. It should spin like a Swiss watch....free and easy and free wheel a long time. Also, end play was really important. Can't you lift any of the 4 hose connections to the turbo and get access to the wheel(s)? I have not a single number or measurement for you.....sorry. Just spit ball'n a little and I ran out of saliva way back at the start of this reply.

Good luck on this,

John

luvrbus · September 04, 2011, 08:17:20 AM

JohnEd, while you make a point about the after cooler on a DD just passing info for you most of the L10 are after cooler equipped,I don't know if Mel has changed his or not to a air to air

good luck

Melbo · September 04, 2011, 01:30:08 PM

Just for information -- IF the oil to the turbo stopped when I lost my oil line (my guess of what happened here) that would explain the intermittent operation of the turbo. I had the turbo replaced by Cummins after I had the engine installed. The original air cleaner fed directly into the turbo after lots of turns and connections so I removed the twists and turns and installed a new air filter that feed right into the turbo. Immediately after the turbo is an exhaust brake two elbows and a muffler. Sometimes when driving everything is normal and sometimes not so I have postponed being on the road til I am sure it will operate as it is supposed to.

HTH

Melbo

JohnEd · September 04, 2011, 03:27:01 PM

Be sure I don't know for certain....I don't think a turbo is one of those devices/mechanisms that can be intermittent. They either put out the psi or they seize up or they disintegrate. Now that exhaust brake is a completely different story. It is supposed to screw the pooch on command and then go back to free flow. I sure would be wiring that open to eliminate it as a possibility and it would be wired open when I gave it to the shop to figure out......why waste their time eliminating stuff. Exhaust leaks mess up a turbo way more than they should if they are in front of the turbo.

Just some thoughts.

John

Melbo · September 06, 2011, 04:49:57 PM

Well tomorrow morning at 10 am I have an appointment with Cummins Rocky Mountain Diagnostic Guru not that I don't appreciate the input from this forum just that I GOTTA get this done right and even with good coaching I'm not sure I am capable. I will keep you posted on the results.

Melbo

luvrbus · September 06, 2011, 05:09:25 PM

Melbo, did Gary use air to air or leave it a after cooler setup on yours he does it both ways I was just wondering about yours

good luck

Melbo · September 06, 2011, 07:46:12 PM

There is no cooler on my system just air cleaner, turbo, exhaust brake and then the muffler. He wanted to remove one of my radiators but I wouldn't let him --- did not want ANY overheating issues after the old motor shut downs.

Melbo

luvrbus · September 06, 2011, 08:18:02 PM

Melbo, that is interesting I never saw a L10 without a after cooler and I have helped a few remove it and installed a air to air,is your a China made L10 ? I wonder what that engine came from

good luck

azdieselman · September 07, 2011, 07:43:20 AM

I've never seen one without an aftercooler either, On some of the early models, the cooler wasn't as obvious. A turbo either works or it doesn't, the exhaust brake concerns me more than anything else. I've always considered those to be turbo killers, turbos and backpressure don't play well together. A compression brake would be the better setup.

Melbo · September 07, 2011, 08:08:15 AM

From what I understand (I just had the engine installed I didn't buy it first) the ZF and L10 came from a bus. I have installed a larger Trans cooler and set up the retarder to slow me down rather than the exhaust brake. The exhaust brake is a Blue Ox and it is very obvious when it is engaged. I only use it on long down hill grades however I may not need it now with the retarder. I will take a picture and post it of the setup when I get it back from the shop -- I might have been a little concerned about the set up but it was done by Gary and Dan and ran fine and then I had Cummins check it out and they resized the turbo and installed the new one. If there was anything they didn't like they didn't tell me about it.

Melbo

luvrbus · September 07, 2011, 09:00:08 AM

Jakes were never real popular on a L10 till towards the end on the early ones they would bend or break the rods,ask the guy at Cummins if you have a aftercooler that one puzzles me lol

good luck

Melbo · September 07, 2011, 07:04:47 PM

Here is a picture of my set up -- air filter on the right turbo -- exhaust brake -- and exhaust. The mechanic said it sounded good and the turbo was good. The guess is that an injector was stuck but it was working just fine when he looked at it this morning. I had a good run up to Leadville Colorado --- I thought there was some excessive smoke a couple of times BUT I am at a much higher altitude so some of that is to be expected I would guess.

Thanks for all the comments and questions -- Keeps me up to speed on what I have and how it should run.

Melbo

P.S. The mechanic thought it ran good for an antique