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Frequently Asked Questions
Turbochargers | Warranties
Exhaust Brakes
Most exhaust brakes are hooked up so that you have a toggle switch mounted on
the dash to turn on the Exhaust Brake Controls; the exhaust brake has a throttle
position switch also. When the toggle switch is on and the throttle is released,
the brake is activated (butterfly closed) to provide exhaust retardation. When
the butterfly is closed it turns the engine "into an air compressor"
by having to force air out of the engine under pressure (on the exhaust stroke).
This causes the engine through its connection to the drive wheels to provide
retarding power. The brake releases as soon as either the throttle is applied or
the switch is flipped off.
Exhaust Brakes on Automatic Transmissions
In order to fully utilize the holdback of an exhaust brake, the torque convertor
clutch must be locked up during deceleration. If the torque convertor is not
locked up, then the drive wheels “drive” the torque convertor, not the
engine. The exhaust brake has more “hold back” at higher rpm because of
higher backpressure. The B/D Autoloc device controls the Torque Convertor Clutch
for lockup on deceleration.
Exhaust Brakes on Gasoline Engines We don’t recommend using an exhaust brake on a gasoline engine because they create too much heat. Unlike a diesel engine, which delivers no fuel on deceleration, a gasoline engine continues to deliver fuel on deceleration.
Additional Exhaust Brake Information | Return to Top of Page
Diesel Fuel Injection
Costs depend on the make and model of your fuel injection pump or injectors.
Oregon Fuel Injection has many different exchange units in stock at a set
price so you would know ahead of time how much it would cost.
Can I turn up the fuel to get more horsepower?
Depending on the application, there are often many ways to increase power
without violating emissions laws. Just turning up the fuel, without other
changes, will create higher exhaust gas temperature (EGT) and is usually not
emissions legal.
Can You Fix Only What is Wrong?
Yes, for example you may have a leak around the throttle shaft that could be
repaired without having to completely rebuild the pump. However some
"partial" failures are signs of what is going to happen to the rest of
the pump in a short time. It would not make sense to do a partial repair if
other parts in the pump are badly worn, or may fail shortly because two partial
repairs are often more expensive than a complete overhaul.
How Long to Fix My Unit?
Repair times will vary depending on the type of pump or injectors. Our
service goal, if we know your unit is coming, is same day turnaround. Some units
take longer, such as 24 hours. Contact OFI with the part numbers off your unit
and we would be happy to let you know what kind of turnaround we can provide. We
stock many exchange pumps and injectors so that the only down time you should
have is the time it takes to replace the old unit with the rebuilt one.
Should I Use a Fuel Conditioner?
Yes, we recommend Stanadyne Performance Formula. This fuel conditioner is
beneficial for many engine/fuel systems applications. It provides cleaners and
lubrication for the fuel system.
Performance Products
Sometimes! Gasoline engine applications most often will see a MPG fuel
economy increase. Diesel engine applications normally maintain the same MPG, yet
will have more power.
Is the Installation of Performance Products Emissions Legal?
All of the performance products Oregon Fuel Injection installs are emissions
legal. There are many products on the market that are not; if it is not legal we
will not install it.
Some of the performance products we sell on our website are not emissions
legal. If you are interested in a particular product, we would be happy to let
you know if it is emissions legal before you purchase it.
Can I Just Add a Chip to Get More Power?
Yes, but performance chips basically just add more fuel and change timing.
Most engines need more/improved airflow to go with the additional fuel.
Otherwise, you will exceed maximum recommended exhaust gas temperature (EGT) and
shorten the life of your engine.
Turbochargers
A turbocharger is an exhaust-driven air compressor. It becomes
an air compressor by utilizing expanded exhaust gases from the engine. The
exhaust gas pressure and the heat energy extracted from the gas causes the
turbine wheel to rotate, thus driving the compressor wheel through a common
shaft. Exhaust temperature and pressure drop as they pass through the turbine
housing and into the atmosphere. The rotating compressor wheel draws air in and
the blades accelerate and expel the air into the compressor housing. Once into
the compressor housing, the air is compressed and flows toward the intake
manifold, pressurizing the intake in a measurable form we call boost pressure.
What is a Wastegated Turbocharger and How Does it Work?
A turbocharger is designed to provide peak boost for the engine under maximum
power at high RPM. Because of this, a turbo is less efficient at providing boost
at lower RPMs and in the torque range. In order to improve boost at the lower
RPMs, a wastegated turbine housing that is smaller is put on the turbo to allow
the boost to build sooner in the RPM range. To prevent overboosting, a wastegate
actuator opens, as boost reaches maximum pressure for that engine, and
"dumps" the exhaust gas before it spins the turbine wheel any faster.
My Turbocharger is leaking oil, Can You Just Put Seals In It?
Yes, however seals in a turbocharger are usually a piston ring style. These
piston rings rely on close tolerances, when tolerances are excessive due to worn
ring grooves, bearings, thrust washers, etc. Just replacing the seals will not
fix a leak. Oregon Fuel Injection stocks many exchange units - rebuilt and new -
on the shelf for a reduced downtime for you.
Turbocharger Troubleshooting
Before you replace the turbocharger on your engine because of low power, check
the following items with the engine shut off:
- Wheel and shaft loose side to side. This is normal, because with oil pressure to the turbocharger, the shaft (and bearings) floats on a film of oil. If the compressor wheel or turbine wheel contact the housing, then the turbocharger needs to be replaced.
- Does the shaft and wheel assembly spin freely? If it is stiff to turn, replace the turbocharger.
- Check the air filter. If plugged, replace it because the engine will not get enough air.
- Exhaust manifold (or “feed” piping to the turbocharger). If exhaust gases are leaking, then the turbocharger will not “spin up” to full speed (full) causing low boost.
Three Reasons for Premature Turbocharger Failure
- Lack of lubricant can cause high-speed bearings to fail. Bearing failures can lead to instability in the way the wheel and shaft assembly rotates damaging seals and allowing the wheels to rub against the housing. If continued, this condition can lead to turbocharger failure.
- Foreign objects can damage the high-speed turbine and compressor wheel blades, causing wheel imbalance and unstable rotation. This puts an additional load on bearings that leads to bearing failure and eventually turbo failure.
- Contaminated lubricants can score shaft journals and bearings, block oil passages and wear out seals, resulting in heavy leakage. Continued operations under these conditions can result in bearing failure.
Turbocharger failure can be prevented with careful installation, proper
operation, and a sound preventative maintenance program.
Warranties
One year on rebuilt pumps, injectors and turbochargers. One year on most
performance product installations. 90 days on most electrical and electronic
equipment. Note: Warranties on partial repairs only covers the parts that were
replaced or the subcomponents that were rebuilt.
Does the Installation of Performance Parts Void Factory Warranties?
No. The performance products we sell and install do not void the OE warranty, but after-market parts are not covered by your OE warranty.
Gale Banks has
addressed this below:
FANNING FEARS
You want to upgrade your vehicle with after-market equipment, but you're worried
about putting the vehicle's warranty at risk. It's no wonder. How many times
have you heard someone at a dealership say that installing after-market
equipment automatically voids the warranty? This common misconception has been
repeated often enough to be widely believed - even though it is completely
false.
Wrap-up: Dealers don't like warranty work, which pays less than normal repairs. By promoting the myth that after-market equipment automatically voids warranties, some dealers manage to avoid such low-paying work and charge the prime rate for service which is rightfully under warranty.
THE TRUTH
Most vehicle owners are not aware they are protected by federal law: the Magnuson-Moss Warranty - Federal Trade Commission Improvement Act of 1975. Under the Magnuson-Moss Act, after-market equipment which improves performance does not void a vehicle manufacturer's original warranty, unless the warranty clearly and conspicuously states that after-market equipment voids the warranty. Most states have warranty statutes, as well, which provide further protections for vehicle owners.
In other words, a dealer can't wiggle out of his legal warranty obligation merely because you install after-market equipment. To find out if any after-market equipment automatically voids your vehicle's warranty, check the owner's manual, usually under a heading such as "What Is Not Covered." Although the language may be negative, remember your vehicle manufacturer is simply saying he does not cover the after-market products themselves. He is not saying that the products would void the vehicle warranty.
(Separately sold "extended" warranties vary and may be subject to restrictions not addressed here.)
Wrap-up: As of the 1998 model year, no properly installed equipment manufactured by Gale Banks Engineering has ever voided any vehicle manufacturer's warranty. And, to protect your investment, Banks warranties every power product they manufacture.
VEHICLE DEALERS' OBLIGATIONS
Suppose your modified vehicle needs repairs while still under warranty. Without analyzing the true cause of the problem, the dealer attempts to deny warranty coverage. He made his decision simply based on the fact that you've installed after-market equipment - a convenient way to dodge low-paying warranty work.
An example of how ridiculous this can get is the man who was denied warranty coverage by a dealer on his power door locks, because he had improved his exhaust system! Sounds nuts? It really happened - because that man did not know his rights and challenge the dealer's decision.
Wrap-up: A dealer must prove - not just say - that after-market equipment caused the need for repairs before he can deny warranty coverage on that basis.
YOUR RIGHTS
Point out to the dealer the provisions of the Magnuson-Moss Act. Require that he explain to you how the after-market equipment caused the problem. If he can't - or his explanation sounds questionable - it is your legal right to demand he comply with the warranty.
Wrap-up: If you are still being unfairly denied warranty coverage, there is recourse. The Federal Trade Commission, which administers the Magnuson-Moss Act, monitors compliance with warranty law. Direct complaints to the FTC at (202) 326-3128.
In the unlikely event Banks equipment becomes an issue during your vehicle manufacturer's warranty period, you have our promise that Banks Engineering will be there for you. If a proper engineering analysis shows that Banks equipment damaged parts of your engine during your vehicle's factory warranty period, and we are notified before repairs are started, then Banks will cover the affected parts and labor at the prevailing flat rate.
Note: Be sure that you call us before you allow any repairs to be performed. If you let the dealer start any repairs, it may cost you the opportunity to prove the true source of the problem, and you will likely be charged for work that is under warranty. Our representative will contact the dealer to assist you in fairly resolving the issue. We want to see that your rights are protected.
Wrap-up: Although a problem caused by Banks equipment is not impossible, it is extremely rare. Banks products are not only designed to make your engine run stronger, but longer as well. We run a durability study as part of the engineering of our power products to ensure that all Banks equipment adds to engine life. If it doesn't, we don't build it (you have to go to our competitors for that!) And, our company's product warranty assures you that your Banks equipment itself is built to last.
The bottom line:
No properly installed Banks equipment will void your vehicle manufacturer's original warranty.
IN THEIR OWN WORDS:
Federal Law:
"In order to improve the adequacy of information available to consumers, prevent deception, and improve competition in the marketing of consumer products, any warrantor warranting a consumer product to a consumer by means of a written warranty shall . . . fully and conspicuously disclose in simple and readily understood language the terms and conditions of such warranty. Such rules . . . require inclusion in the written warranty of any . . . exceptions and exclusions from the terms of the warranty." - Magnuson-Moss Warranty - Federal Trade Commission Improvement Act, section 2302(a)
Dodge Motors:
"Certain changes that you might make to your truck do not, by themselves, void the warranties described in this booklet. Examples of some of these changes are: installing non-Chrysler parts, components, or equipment" - 1997 Warranty Information supplement to Dodge Owner's Manual
Ford Motor Company:
"Installation of a non-genuine Ford item . . . does not, in and of itself, render our warranty void." - Ford Owner Relations Division
General Motors Corporation:
"If a Chevrolet part fails due to a defect in material or workmanship not related to {an after-market product} or the labor to install it, Chevrolet would be responsible for covering the failed part." - Chevrolet Customer Assistance Center
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