Ghost Ram

i am having trouble making boost lately, i can barely make above 20psi. its been cold these last few days and hasnt gotten above high 30's outside. i do notice a difference in the way the truck runs and makes boost when its cold outside, anyone else notice this?

sallyman1

i can get to 26 psi when working her hard empty on highway but mostly see 20 psi. Its -20 celcius today where i live and i have edge juice attitude. if i crimp line to wastegate I can hit 42 psi EASY>

homewrecker

Never had this problem.But I have had aftermarket turbo on it since the first month of purchase.Never ran a stocker in the winter.Still doesn't sound right.Does it do it even after the truck is good and warm?

matego

I think when it is colder out the charge air cooler is way more efficient. The pressure coming out the turbo is the same but the CAC condenses the air a lot more. Better quality air but at less pressure. Boost pressure is only 1/2 the equation, air temp is the other. I know my truck is more powerful at 30 PSI 15*F than at 42 PSI 85*F

trik396

Cold air is more dense than warmer air. It is easier to make boost in cooler weather. You have a problem somewhere.

staarma

I wonder if your ground or something for these gauges is bad and is causing similar problems with your fuel pressure gauge?

cincydiesel

I put money on it that its your wastegate actuator. Mine quit working about 6 months ago. Pinched off the pressure line leading to the wastegate and all problems were fixed. Been running like this for 20,000 miles and not another boost or turbo problem. I heard of this problem many times in the last few months.

Minwy

It think the actuator gets sticky when its cold, mine did the same thing, now that it warmed up a bit it's working better.

Ghost Ram

the boost gauge is manual and does not require a ground. the gauges are grounded under the dash w/ the factory wiring.

Ghost Ram

do i have a pressure line going to my stock wastegate? i thought it was electronic.

staarma

Ok, I didn't know if it had a stepper motor in there for needle movement or not.

staarma

The actuator still has a boost reference via a hose from the compressor housing. Clamping it off means no boost to the actuator which keeps the wastegate closed.

WUnderwood

I think you have a boost leak, you should be able to make boost regardless of temp

06megacabman

Can someone show a pic or better describe this hose as I have had this same low boost issue since about mid December. Dealer says if I'm not getting a CEL for low boost or high boost everthing is fine. There is no spec listing that they can find on Dodge that says max boost should be 32 psi.

trik396

It would be easiest to remove you passenger side fender liner. Usually about 10 screws with 5/16" heads. Then you can easily feel under and back of your turbo for the hose.