I made a great video on how to test you 6.7 Cummins turbo actuator. Here is the video and below I will follow up with a written summary.
to test the 6.7 Cummins turbo actuator follow these steps:
- drain the engine coolant
- remove the actuator on the turbo
- visually inspect the gear position on the turbo (the 6.7 Cummins turbo actuator gear has an alignment hole that needs to be aligned with the alignment hole on the bearing housing on the far left)
- to test the actuator have someone in the drivers seat turn the ignition key on (while you are looking at the actuator while still plugged in) the actuator gear will cycle from open to closed and back to open position.
- If the actuator cycles properly, the actuator is in good working condition. Bad actuators will sometimes not make any noise and some will make a noise but not move.
- If your actuator is still good, I recommend inspecting the movement of the actuator gear to make sure it moves freely.
- If the actuator gear moves freely then check the position and travel of the actuator gear to make sure the gear was installed correctly
- Use this video to learn how to install the actuator gear correctly:
- If the actuator gear is binding it’s likely the vgt nozzle is sticking, needs cleaning or it can be broken and needing replacement.
- If the gear is in the correct position, there is no binding of the vgt gear, the actuator cycles properly, then set the gear on the turbo in the correct position which is determined by the model of the turbo per the video, turn the key on and off to cycle the actuator with it plugged in, with the key off, and gear in the correct position, bolt the actuator on and fill the engine with coolant, properly bleed the coolant system.
Here are repair and replacement parts you may need: 2007 - 2012 HE351VE turbo rebuild kit:
2013 - 2018 HE300VG turbo rebuild kit
Actuator seals (these are a part of the rebuild kit):
2007 - 2018 6.7 Cummins turbo upgrade