Exhaust leak/Loss of boost

[islandgirl62]

Mods - please move this to wherever it needs to go. This is the ONLY place I can get the "Post New Thread" button.

On our '06 Duramax - having a problem with an exhaust leak causing loss of boost. I'm not going to be very good at describing this...just hoping some of you will know what I'm talking about!
I think it all started where the turbo bolts to the exhaust, on the back side of the engine. Found a problem that the guy who installed the atmospheric turbo didn't get one of the bolts tight. Had to replace one of the bolts because of it and it turned out it was stripped. Tapped it and put in a new bolt (did NOT use the die on the old bolt). Boost increased to where it had been. Now we are losing boost again. Think the loss is where the exhaust manifolds loop around and ties into the turbo.
Has anyone else had a problem with losing boost this way? Or have any suggestions on anything else to check? Getting black/sooty stuff under the hood.
Thanks much for any help!! Y'all are great!! :hug:

 

[TeaBagger2006]

Have you checked the uppipes thouroghly. Might be a craked weld or thelil stub that goes to the egr

 

[arneson]

X2 on the up pipes. Do u think its the passenger side or drivers? I did an egr delete on mine which caused my up pipe on passenger side to crack where the flex pipe portion is. Had same symptoms u are describing. Although u should hear it also. Mine u could hear it as soon as u left idle.

 

[islandgirl62]

It is on the drivers side. Can't hear it. We have replaced the flex hose connection (twice now!) Wondering if there is a gasket missing or if that cross threaded bolt left enough leak space to blow out the gasket there??

 

[greywarden]

i think the best advice is to find an independent mechanic or visit your dealer (not really advisable because of the tremendous labor price they charge but it depends on your budget). i think that problem is a pain in the arse. maybe it is a missing gasket but that is just my opinion based on my experience. im not really an expert.