Vacuum line to turbo

Grouch · 2025-10-08T02:40:17-0400

I've been busy getting a lot of little things cleaned up as well as working on several other projects so I haven't been here for a bit. I'm replacing the front and rear lights on my '96 K2500HD and am about to replace the shocks and pitman arm to get the steering working right. I hope I can split the arm and avoid dropping the steering gear. If not, it won't be the first I've pulled.

However, after that, I intend to replace the rusted lump that is my turbo charger. I've got one waiting to go on, but I've got a question for the collective. There is a vacuum line that is snipped off on the engine going to the turbo. I think it goes to the vacuum pump to operated the waste gate. I'm going to hook a vacuum gauge to see if it's drawing vacuum. What all do I need to do with this? If the vacuum pump is working, can I just run a vacuum supply line to the fitting on the turbo? The engine runs fine as it is but I'm sure I'm way down on power. It also bugs me for something to not be working properly. I've got years of experience, but little on diesels and almost none on the Detroit 6.5. Any suggestions?

CassMori · 2025-10-08T03:50:37-0400

There should be a wastegate solenoid between the vacuum pump and turbo wastegate, to let the computer control the wastegate.
On my '95, it's mounted on the driver's side valve cover, near the firewall, in the circled area in the pic below.

Hope that helps?

bk95td · 2025-10-08T17:41:24-0400

Ditch the plastic lines. I use 3/16 steel brake line with rubber hose at connections.

Grouch · 2025-10-08T17:55:14-0400

That isn't what I have. On my truck it's a black plastic tube around the front of the engine going to the turbo itself. I don't have anything on top of the intake hat.

smdk2500 · 2025-10-09T02:07:53-0400

The stock setup is like what is posted above. Should go from vac pump to solenoid on drivers side of engine. From the solenoid to turbo.

bk95td · 2025-10-09T17:21:57-0400

I believe that the OE plastic lines ran under the intake manifold. A hot location that made the low quality plastic get very brittle and eventually crack or break. The steel lines I made will outlast the truck.

57diesel · 2025-10-09T18:02:30-0400

Its not the line in the top of the plenum in BK's pic, its the ones running along the valve cover. Original were that hard plastic black and orange I think.

Grouch · 2025-10-09T19:40:01-0400

I just went out and looked all over the top of the engine. In the photos, there are all sorts of things not on my truck. Between the wiper motor and the glow plug relay, is just open space. Since the truck runs decent and I'm getting all sorts of past neglect cleared up, I may hold off on the turbo for a bit. Sakes, somebody wanting a diesel may buy it and finish it themselves.

Vacuum line to turbo

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