Any Diesel Mechs on this site?

I put my truck (Chevy Duramax Diesel) through the ringer towing my Fifth wheel to shelter cove.  By the time my truck got to garberville the check engine light came on.  I checked all fluids, gas cap and standard stuff that would set it off.  Had a friend check the code with a reader and it came back as a turbo boost control position sensor.  The best I can determine this is the same as a Vane Sensor Control.  I was told they can be cleaned so I may try that before replacing. 

Trying to figure out if I could cause more damage by running it.  It doesn't have the off and on whine like a normal turbo has if it is bad so I hope it is just a sensor. 

There were a couple of times it sounded like the turbo would stay engaged a little to long while towing.  I had to take it out of tow mode to unengage it.  Never lost tow power. 

Other than that occasionally the oil gauge seems to have more movement from idle to movement than it used to so not sure if that means there is a clog anywhere.  If so where would it be. 

I have a dodge with a common rail system I took it to a diesel place they said the pump was out. So after replacing the pump I was told an injector was out. changed the whole set as that is what your suppose to do. then it started. Now I think they F/Uped up. A common rail system, has a leak in a line  Or injector. The thing wont start. So I'm sure I bought an injection pump I didn't need. Next time I'll do it myself. I bought the OEM service manual now. Most people refuse the price of oem manuals. I sold a Cat Repair manual once. I told the guy with labor so high this manual saves you 10 hours in the shop it paid for it's self. In my case 1 hour in the shop Paid for the repair CD.

I have a dodge with a common rail system I took it to a diesel place they said the pump was out. So after replacing the pump I was told an injector was out. changed the whole set as that is what your suppose to do. then it started. Now I think they F/Uped up. A common rail system, has a leak in a line  Or injector. The thing wont start. So I'm sure I bought an injection pump I didn't need. Next time I'll do it myself. I bought the OEM service manual now. Most people refuse the price of oem manuals. I sold a Cat Repair manual once. I told the guy with labor so high this manual saves you 10 hours in the shop it paid for it's self. In my case 1 hour in the shop Paid for the repair CD.

Just pulled the sensor and it had a little carbon build up but moved in and out so I cleaned it.  Light stayed on.  Not sure how long before it will reset if fixed but don't believe anything is that easy for me so sure I will have to spend money. 

Had a CEL come on while heavy on the pedal pulling a 5th wheel over the Tehachapi.  It eventually went away sometime during the drive.  Not sure if my buddy read the code on it.  I could ask him.  I was amazed at how much power his Chevy had towing.  My old PSD couldn't do that.  I still joke with him about this truck having a pea-sized fuel tank though... LOL.

It could take a month or two for a code to clear itself! As far as a mechanic, I use Left Coast Diesel. They aren't the cheapest, but they know their $hit, at least the shop in Livermore does. If you have the code number, google it; that will bring up all kinds of info.

It could take a month or two for a code to clear itself! As far as a mechanic, I use Left Coast Diesel. They aren't the cheapest, but they know their $hit, at least the shop in Livermore does. If you have the code number, google it; that will bring up all kinds of info.

Yeah I looked up code and was related to turbo sensor.  It went off the day after it went on but it is back again.  I unplugged batteries but unless you unplug all battery wires and touch the two negatives you have to wait 24 hours which I did not do.  Must have a small memory battery like a computer. 

I looked up on some rv sites and apparently the turbo could be damaged or ready to fail because of the intense heat that was generated up the hill.  Apparently I should have a gauge for exhaust heat temp.  Which I don't. 

when you climb hills is your truck in tow mode? if not it raises your EGT. ( exhaust Gas Temperatures )  What year is your truck. Do you have to run the additive in a special tank. If it isn't that new you should get an exhaust temp gauge. When your a little over 1200 degrees damage will start to happen. I try to keep it at 900. to 1000 while driving. but at 1200 when climbing a hill. the way you lower that temp is by dropping a gear. 

I use tow mode and lower gears as needed to save breaks.  Just never heard of the EGT gauge before.  I have a 2008, my other temps were getting up there so I can only guess my EGT was maxed out.  Low and slow out of the cove and no where to pull over until the top. No additive that I am aware of.

I have a 2001 F250. I have gauges, from installing an Edge Juice programmer. Even if you go to a lower gear, you still , sometimes, must ease up on the gas pedal. Even if your truck can go 70mph over a certain grade, it doesn't mean it isn't in the danger zone temp wise.

I think EGT gauge is essential when towing up hills.  I tow based on EGT readings and change driving style accordingly.  When the CEL went off in my buddy's Chevy, the first thing I asked him was EGT readings.  He said he didn't have one.  Let me shoot him a text and see if his turbo acting strange or throwing any more CELs.

I think EGT gauge is essential when towing up hills.  I tow based on EGT readings and change driving style accordingly.  When the CEL went off in my buddy's Chevy, the first thing I asked him was EGT readings.  He said he didn't have one.  Let me shoot him a text and see if his turbo acting strange or throwing any more CELs.

I have a call into a diesel mech to get more info.  I have been towing for a couple years and can't believe no one ever mentioned the EGT gauge.  I will have to look into getting one installed no matter what ends up happening with regards to the current issue. 

My friend says no other CELs thrown since that day it happened. Truck pulls 5th wheel easily up grades at 60+. Yes, he drives like he stole it. Lol.  Good luck, hopefully it's nothing too expensive.