Overdrive

March 2015

Overdrive Magazine | Trucking Business News & Owner Operator Info

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March 2015 | Overdrive | 65 down. Next, leave the cruise control off . Then install a straight-through performance muffl er. Afterward, purchase low-rolling-resistance tires. Lastly, increase the size of the turbocharger's turbine housing. The pyrometer is a great gauge to diagnose problems on the engine's air side. If there is an issue, the turbo boost reading will be high, while the pyrometer reading will be low. Common issues include a wet or clogged air fi lter, a faulty turbo, a loose clamp or blown hose on the charge air piping, a leak in the charge air cooler or a blown gasket on the air inlet to the air compressor. If both readings are low while pulling a hill, there is a fuel-related problem or something wrong with the electron- ic control module. Change the fuel fi lter, and check the fuel pres- sure from the fuel pump. Check the fuel line's restriction; fuel lines will swell shut once they are about 10 years old. No one wants to replace fuel lines, but they are a wear item. ECMs also can fail, as can the engine's sensors. If the turbo boost sensor has failed, it will not sig- nal the ECM to deliver more fuel to the engine. That's why turbo boost gauges and pyrom- eters are benefi cial; they can provide early notifi - cation of an issue so that it can be fi xed before the engine is damaged further. When driving by the gauges, if rpm is low, boost is higher than needed for the terrain and the exhaust gas temperature is elevated, you are lugging the engine and wasting fuel. Contrary to belief, rpm does not burn fuel, but excessive boost does. engine enjoy long life Bruce Mallinson is the owner of Pittsburgh Power, an engine performance shop in Saxonburg, Pa.

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