Dodge trucks can, on occasion, run into overboost problems. Overboost is when the turbocharger produces more boost than intended. The causes of overboost vary from wastegate problems, loose fittings or weather. Most of the problems can be easily resolved.
The wastegate is responsible for releasing any additional air the turbocharger produces. A wastegate is set to open when a presecribed pounds per square inch (psi) setting is exceeded; the wastegate opens and releases the additional air. Occasionally, the wastegate on Dodge trucks can malfunction due to a damaged or wastegate actuator. The wastegate actuator is responsible for sensing the amount of psi a turbocharger produces.
Because the Dodge turbocharger compresses the air it gets from its surroundings, the weather can have an effect on it. The colder the air, the denser it becomes. If the temperature drops low enough, it can cause the turbocharger to produce more boost because it is compressing air that is already dense; the result is overboost.
Loose piping in the Dodge's turbocharged system can cause a misreading in the wastegate actuator. As a result, the wastegate will not release the compressed air even when the turbocharger produces more than enough of it. A pressure test can be done to see if one of the pipes is loose or leaks air. During a pressure test, an air compressor is hooked up to the turbocharged system and is then checked for leaks.
