Vgt turbo/actuato

[Mike Genna]

I have a 2009 beaver with a cat c9s. I have read in forums that many owners have had issues with the turbo/actuator. I am experiencing irratic boost scenarios such as, low boost ( 3to8#), no boost, and recently rapidswings from 0 to 38# and all points between.
In reading the forums many have reported similar symptoms and took CAT techs advice and replaced the turbo ( actuator apparantly not available separately ), only to experience the same symptoms after only a few hundred miles.
My question is whether anyone has come upon a solution to this common issue. I dont buy into the CAT opine that the turbo is the issue due to the fact that when the codes are cleared, the turbo/ actuator performs " normally" if only for a few hundred miles + -.. also, when observing the actuator arm upon turning the ignition, the arm moves through its range of motion effortlessly.
This is a huge puzzle. I feel like it is a sensor that is not communicating correctly with the actuator and or ecu, or something is slightly out of parameter causing ecu to derate.
Just wondering if anyone has got to the bottom of this issue or found a rebuilder for the actuator, or an aftermarket souce for actuator and or replacement turbo.
Thank you,
Mike Genna
530.228.2460

[Scepter40]

Might want to head over to the CAT forum and give this a spin (or maybe a Mod could move this thread).

I don't know how you VGT actuator works, but I be willing to bet that CAT doesn't have a proprietary system. If you can see it sweeping on startup, then I would imagine that it's not bound up or flat out broken. Things I'd check off the bat:

1. Are all the intercooler pipes and boots secured and serviceable (no holes, tears, loose clams, etc.)
2. Is the intercooler itself in good condition (no obvious holes, bent fins, dents, etc.)
3. Air filter serviceable
4. Remove the intake off of the turbo and make sure it spins freely by hand and that there's no shaft play (in/out and up/down). No bent fins on the impeller. Not the end of the world if it is, because they can be rebuilt fairly easily and you can buy every single part that goes into a turbo, even the housings.
5. Check all wiring from the turbo that it's serviceable and doesn't have any chafing, loose connectors, broken wires, etc. and that he plugs are all clean.

There's no way on the planet that I'd spring for an entire new turbo for a VGT actuator. They make rebuild kits for them, and if it it sticking, it's probably just carbon buildup or maybe a part that's not very serviceable (o-ring, etc.).

Search the make and model of the turbo on the interwebs and I bet you find a rebuild kit for both the turbo and the actuator (if not a new/rebuilt actuator).