6.7L Cummins Engine Brake

SWoop2247 wrote:
Does everyone use the engine brake when not towing?

I've read mixed opinions on using it 100% while driving.

Thanks in advance


S Woolery
2012 Aerolite
2014 Ram 2500 4x4 6.7L Cummins

I use the Engine brake on automatic all of the time towing or not. The only time I don't use it is when it is snowy or icy on the roads.

I didn't use it that much when my 6.7 had an exhaust brake. Mainly when towing and to slow down as I was coming off the highway. I don't really miss it that much with the new turbo. My brother on the other hand uses his all the time and doesn't like the fact that my truck doesn't have an EB when he drives it.

I've read where folks are saying by using the EB 100% of the time it reduces "soot" from building up in the turbo.

Anyone know anything about this?

My brother still had to replace his actuator in his 2014 at around 60k even when he used it 100% of the time. So did another friend of mine who owns a 2015, but his was still covered under and they gave him a whole new turbo. I replaced my VGT with a fixed geometry turbo at 80k miles in my 2014. I wasn't having any issues, I just wanted to replace it with a non computer controlled turbo. My EGR "fell off" at around 30k so less carbon running through the vanes which may have also led to why I didn't have issues.

So take it for what it is worth. My brother used his EB 100% of the time and still had actuator issues. I will say though that my brother drives like a grandpa and I don't so that may also have something to do with it as well.

CaLBaR wrote:

SWoop2247 wrote:
Does everyone use the engine brake when not towing?

I've read mixed opinions on using it 100% while driving.

Thanks in advance


S Woolery
2012 Aerolite
2014 Ram 2500 4x4 6.7L Cummins

I use the Engine brake on automatic all of the time towing or not. The only time I don't use it is when it is snowy or icy on the roads.

Mine is on 100% of the mostly on Full, but Auto works better with cruise control.
I keep it active.
On the old 2001 Ram with manual and PacBrake I could come to almost a complete stop just by down shifting.

I don't know that it reduces soot but it will help to keep the variable vanes from seizing up due to carbon/soot buildup.

I never use mine when not towing. I sometimes don't bother with it while towing. When descending long steep grades with a heavy trailer I always use it.

CaLBaR wrote:
I use the Engine brake on automatic all of the time towing or not. The only time I don't use it is when it is snowy or icy on the roads.

Me too. I like to use it to help slowing down to reduce the amount of brake pedal I need to slow down.

KJ

Start truck, hit TH and EB EVERY time towing or not!!!

I never use the Auto mode.

I will add another thing to this. The one thing that scared me into removing my VG turbo and replace it with a non computer controlled fixed geometry was how many Cummins actuators we sell through our dealers. It mostly was due to fried actuator components rather than carbon buildup on the vanes. The computer boards in the actuators would be toast in many of the ones we took apart.

We don't sell nearly as many Powerstroke turbo actuators, but that may change with the 2020 PSD since the turbo on it will have a full electronic controlled actuator versus the oil pressure controlled actuators on the previous 6.7L PSD's. What worries me with that is whether electronic actuators can handle the heat due to the reverse flow design of the Scorpion engine having the turbo placement right in the center of two exhaust manifolds.

The new L5P Duramax is also the first Duramax to have fully electronically controlled actuator, and the VG turbos all the way up to the LML have been oil pressure actuated. So time will tell in the next few years of they will have the same issues.