OK maybe I'm stupid (please don't answer that) but how high is too high for egt's? What exactly is going to be damaged by high egt's? :help2:

I am running the Predator @ 65 hp for now with no gauges. I do plan to get the gauges but even when I do I'm not sure what I need to be scared of :confused: .

I have never heard of an engine failure, or even damage from high egt's, but then again don't know much about diesel (or gas for that matter) engines.

From what I have read on other posts it seems that 1350 is a number that pops up a lot.
Can that be sustained for long periods of time? If the engine is not having to work hard (i.e. never downshifts, no WOT, easily maintains speed, etc.) are egt's going to be high? How long can higher (1500-1800) egt's be sustained without fear of damage? And again, what is going to be damaged?

Sorry for all the questions. Just got a lot invested in the truck and want to take care of it. If there is one thing I have learned from this forum it is..........IGNORANCE IS BLISS :iamwithst .

Thanks for your patience.

1350 is what Edge uses to alarm you if you hit that point. Sustained 1350 is something to stay away from, but a momentary spike to 1400 or 1500 or higher isn't nearly as problematic as a sustained run at those temps.

WOT under load is what will get you to those egt's. Cruising you'll be below 1000 unless something is amiss.

My understanding is that with sustained high egts you will burn up the turbo. I recall reading somewhere (www.howstuffworks.com ?) the turbine blades can warp if they get to hot. When you get your gauges, you'll see how quickly the EGTs move up and down. It was eye opening for me.

Hey, that's a neat site!

Dan

once you get a gauge you will see that the temp jumps throughout your rpm range. whenever boost comes in, the temp rises and sometimes spikes depending if you put the pedal down or just cruise. most will spike once in a while to a very high temp, but as long as you don't do any sustained driving with the temps above the threshold then you are probably ok.

and yes, that is correct..if the temps are constantly very high the heat will actually melt the impellars inside the turbo housing , possibly breaking the turbine shaft, etc then next is your engine.. not good.. lol

I don't know about the Garrett turbo on the LLY but I read somewhere that the IHI turbo on the LB7 was designed to operate at 1472°F continuous duty.

The reason there is a temperature limit, is because the pistons are weakest link in the chain. The stock pistons are aluminum, and begins to deteriorate (at a molecular level) at about 1450F. Temps above this will compromise the overall lifespan of the pistons/rings.

Keeping the temps below 1350/1400 (PRE-turbo) will make sure you don't do any damage to engine parts, and get the maximum useable life from the components.

EGT's are probably the most critical temp you can monitor.

My 2 cents.

This if from another thread http://www.dieselplace.com/forum/showthread.php?t=22075&highlight=aluminum+melt