Reality Check

[DonH4106]

Returning to Washington from Yuma we had a very unlikable happening. I heard a noise and looked in the mirror to see a huge cloud of smoke coming from the rear of our 4106. Luckily there was enough room along the side of the secondary hi-way to get it clear of the blacktop. The engine was still running when I shut it down. I opened the hood and pulled the dipstick and no oil appeared on it. Two hundred miles earlier I had added a gallon up past the full mark. I did start the engine and a unfriendly loud noise was coming from the exhaust. I had lost the turbo on the 8-71T. A wrecker was called and it was towed four miles to a paved wide spot where I could work on it, That added $1K to the credit card. I managed to get the turbo off with the exhaust piping into the trunk of our car for the 80 plus miles to Redding CA. There was no good news at the Freightliner dealer that is also a Detroit dealer. Detroit does not and will not support this engine. This dealer did not want the engine in their shop. They did send me to what they called a after market shop that may work on this engine.
It has been about nine years sense I have needed parts from a Detroit dealer and this was a hard hit to me. The last engine I needed parts for was a 6V-92 and there was no problem at all.
The after market shop did dig through used parts bin and found a discarded turbo that got us home to Washington.
For those of us running this fifty year old equipment, there is a need for a source of parts and places where you might get service, that should be in a well updated list in your coach for areas which you travel.

[Boomer]

Don, all the 2 stroke parts distribution has been transferred to MTU and full parts support is available there.  Pacific Power will have what you need.  New/reman parts are available.  HTH

[DonH4106]

Thanks Boomer. I am not sure what MTU stands for? And Pacific Power in Tacoma? Don

[eagle19952]

In late 2005, the Daimler-Chrysler Off-Highway business unit, including MTU Friedrichshafen and the Off-Highway division of Detroit Diesel Corporation, is sold to the Swedish financial investor EQT Partners.

[TomC]

MTU stands for Motor Turbine Union. Look up MTU and you'll see their section on 2 stroke Detoits. Good luck, TomC

[Geoff]

Turbos are not a Detroit item.  Most injection shops not only rebuild injector pumps and injectors, they also rebuild turbos.  I rebuild turbos and use the injector shops for parts.  No need for DD for turbos.

--Geoff

[DonH4106]

The shaft in this turbo broke turning both ends to spin wobbling around. I have not taken it to a shop to see if it can be rebuilt but I presume it is junk. It had been rebuilt from the tag installed on it. DD turbo's are an outsourced item but when you are broke down along the side of the road where do you get parts. To afford this coach I have to be able and willing to repair and maintain it. I know many would have to have it towed the eighty miles to a shop if you can find one that would take you in. As it was we spent three days getting on our way and $1500. I was lucky to find a used turbo and get us home. I was not prepared for this break-down or what it might take to get us to where we are heading. The reality of this is S%ht Happens.

[CrabbyMilton]

Too bad there isn't a way to bypass the turbo and just run it as a NA engine  It won't have as much power but at least it'll run. But who expects that to happen?

[gg04]

I do  t h e same as Geoff..  Not really sure how many race car or diesel turbos I've built over the years. Parts and rebuild kits are available from lots of sources and are not that expensive. Easy-to-use and install if you can follow directions.. rdw

[bevans6]

He actually did take the turbo off and run 80 miles to a town.  I've run mine without a turbo before, but it's real loud and there is no air cleaner.  I am gobsmacked at a grand to get a four mile tow off the highway.

Brian

[DonH4106]

When I found out that it might take days to get a turbo I considered taking it apart, removing the impellers and shaft, then putting a bolt through to hole where the shaft was to seal the two sides off. Running it that way would allow us to get home. I would also have to block the oil supply line to it.  But we dug around and found a reject turbo that at least had a shaft in one piece.  Driving 600 miles with open exhaust and open air intake was not an option.

[bevans6]

Don, I am impressed with your thinking!  I would not have thought of that, and it would have worked!

Brian