Hey guys, frequent reader, first post. I recently picked up a 2007 Ram 2500 4x4 with a 5.9 Cummins. The first thing I did was order a set of gauges (EGT, trans temp and boost). I have installed the trans line and boost bolt but I want to install the EGT probe pre-turbo and I am going to separate the turbo and manifold. Do I need to replace the manifold/turbo gasket? If so, where can I get a new gasket online (not the dealer)?
Thanks
Jim Filak

 

Can I ask way you plan to take the turbo/manifold apart ? That's not something you need to do to install a EGT probe.

 

Fearful of getting shavings in the turbo. As the saying goes "if it weren’t for bad luck I’d have no luck at all" must have been written about me!

 

Hey you and me are reading the same book.

As long as the gaskets are intact (and they should be) you won't need new ones.

Do it safe, take the manifold off. It's not that big of a job.

 

I understand your fear but, it's much easier than you might think. You're creating a mountain out of a mole hill with the time and labor involved taking apart all that when drilling can take you a half hour.

If you take your time and are careful, there's no reason you can drill the manifold in place. Just cover the drill bit with a thick grease and slowly drill. All the shavings will stay on the grease and every so othen just clean them off and continue.

Once the hole is through.... what I did was, I had a large magnet lying around. I took a 16 penny nail and held it against the magnet while searching around in the hole for shavings. Very little came out. As long as you drill the hole over #3 port you should be ok as that's the flatest spot for shavings to fall without falling into the turbo. You can do the same with a magnet or nail like I used after the tap the hole.

It's really more intimidating than it is hard to do. By taking everything apart to do it, you're asking for more problems with gaskets not sealing correctly, bolts possibly breaking, busted knuckles, sore back... etc.

Good luck with which ever way you chose ;-)

 

It's all about what you're comfortable with brother.

I'd rather spend a little time being careful in the beginning, rather than finding out later that I had ONE piece of metal shaving that ghosted my turbo.

 

Well I certainly agree with that. It really seems like a lot of work though just to get a probe installed.
I haven't seen one story yet written about how a tiny piece of shaving toasted a turbo. I can see if there were BIG chucks of metal to worry about but, the shaving are small enough to blow through.... if you were to leave any in there. Of course you don't want to leave any in to take that chance though.

 

I would be the first! Thanks for the advise guys.

 

And I would be right behind you.

 

I have recently done this installation, first the 1/8 th pilot hole, then the final drilling, and of coarse the tapping in of the threads.
I used the grease on all aspects of the above, but most importantly is to have the truck IDLING, the pressure in the manifild is enough to blow the shavings out of harms way. You will have to shut her down for a while to cool down every now and then, fingers get pretty warm!
I was really worried about this as you are, but had no problems at all.