Replace entire turbo or just vgt actuator?

[Mrkentee]

(06-05-2016 )giannid Wrote:  The actuator is still a $1000 part from cummins. I'd love to just replace the actuator instead of the whole turbo. Just looking for my options and asking for advice. I don't know a whole lot about these engines.

I replaced my turbo. And the actuator wouldn't calibrate. So I got one from Cummins (reman) for about $500 plus the core exchange.
It's not too hard to do. But the coolant has to be drained, and you do need insite to do the two-step calibration.
There's an excellent video on here showing that whole process.
But check the wiring for any problems. If it is allowed to rest on high temp areas, and not routed away from them, it could be damaged.