KVGT issue

I ran into a error code on this Komatsu PC210LC-10 S# A10009. It is an L03-CA2387. After doing some research on my own I found that this is a KVGT servo error. Its my understanding that this servo is engine oil operated, but I am not familiar with this particular system. Does anyone have any information about troubleshooting this problem? I am not sure where to start!

My books only go up to Dash 8. Can you tell me what the KVGT stands for? Is the machine acting any different that normal?

John C. said: My books only go up to Dash 8. Can you tell me what the KVGT stands for? Is the machine acting any different that normal? Click to expand... Should be the Variable Geometry Turbo

There is a booster pump. Typically on flywheel housing. Takes lube oil and raises up to 125 or so. Goes into EGR control valve. The inlet is filtered. Same goes for the block mounted on top of turbo center section. Under the block is 2 little Alan plugs. Take em out and clean with brake cleaner. Reinstall . Remove inlet fitting @ EGR control. There should be a filter fitting under there as well. My experience is that this fault is directly related to poor maintenance. Suggest an oil change as well. Good Luck It could be a defective turbo, but its highly unlikely vs the maintenance issue

funwithfuel said: My experience is that this fault is directly related to poor maintenance. Suggest an oil change as well. Click to expand... Sounds like the same turbo Deere uses on some of their machines. Most of the issues I've seen have been poor maintenance practices as well. I agree with FWF. Start with an oil change and some cleaning.

Sounds like you 2 may be right. The maintenance on this machine has been non-existent. They did change the oil last week as I believe they had inquired about the problem beforehand but it didn't solve the issue. I will do some cleaning up today and see if I can revive the engine. A forum member here did email me a few procedures to do some pressure testing on that system, which is greatly appreciated. I priced a replacement turbo yesterday just for the hell of it...…………..$5K new !!!!!! about wrecked my truck on the expressway from the shock!

Well guys, I pulled the screens and cleaned them but to no avail. They actually looked spotless but it was worth a try. Since I have very little tech info on this and the fact that this system is new to me, I have contacted the Komatsu dealer here to have them come out and take a look. The last thing I'm going to do, after checking the pricing and availability of the parts, is start throwing parts at this attempting to correct the problem. At the moment I am suspicious of the KVGT servo sensor, but I have no parameters to check it. Sometimes you just have to make that call to the dealer and let them figure it out based on their own experiences and familiarity. Hopefully, I get someone that knows the system well and not some trainee.

Vetech63 said: I ran into a error code on this Komatsu PC210LC-10 S# A10009. It is an L03-CA2387. After doing some research on my own I found that this is a KVGT servo error. Its my understanding that this servo is engine oil operated, but I am not familiar with this particular system. Does anyone have any information about troubleshooting this problem? I am not sure where to start! Click to expand... \\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\
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Vetech63 said: I ran into a error code on this Komatsu PC210LC-10 S# A10009. It is an L03-CA2387. After doing some research on my own I found that this is a KVGT servo error. Its my understanding that this servo is engine oil operated, but I am not familiar with this particular system. Does anyone have any information about troubleshooting this problem? I am not sure where to start! Click to expand... KVGT stand for K omatsu V ariable G eometry T urbocharger.

The dealer has been unsuccessful on repairing this after replacing the oil boost pump and the turbocharger. It is now getting dumped in my lap after the customer has spent close to $9K on this with no results. The LO3 CA2387 is still coming up on the monitor after 15 minutes of run time from a cold start up. The dealer has been unable to provide me with a theory of operation for this system and continues to REPLACE parts instead of finding what the problem is. Needless to say, the customer isn't happy. I need a theory of operation so I can better understand how this system is supposed to work. I have to assume at this point that the low boost pressure was not due to a bad pump as the dealer suggested and replaced, but possible something else maybe in the EGR assembly that is dumping oil pressure. Anyone have anything in this?

Please check PM

Number 5 cause from LATHAU mentions an oil pressure relief valve. Has it already been addressed. I have never seen this engine , so just speculation. If you could dead head the pump flow downstream from pressure relief plugging off the egr and vgt separately, it would help you find the leak, or tell you if the relief is venting. It would help to know what the relief setting should be.

Cause 4 calls for checking the lube oil pressure , so the lube pump must acting as charge pump for the oil boost pump.

Vetech63 said: The dealer has been unsuccessful on repairing this after replacing the oil boost pump and the turbocharger. It is now getting dumped in my lap after the customer has spent close to $9K on this with no results. The LO3 CA2387 is still coming up on the monitor after 15 minutes of run time from a cold start up. The dealer has been unable to provide me with a theory of operation for this system and continues to REPLACE parts instead of finding what the problem is. Needless to say, the customer isn't happy. I need a theory of operation so I can better understand how this system is supposed to work. I have to assume at this point that the low boost pressure was not due to a bad pump as the dealer suggested and replaced, but possible something else maybe in the EGR assembly that is dumping oil pressure. Anyone have anything in this? Click to expand... Design of this engine is "TOO COMPLICATED"!! VGT has been moved by an hydraulic actuator which is controlled by an EPC valve (Electronic Proportional Control).....but this EPC valve is located at EGR Valve and oil pressure source of them (EGR & VGT) is common line!!!

Did you ever resolve this issue? We were lead to replace a turbo assembly on the machine and issue is still present, checked oil drive and control pressure. Have 160-180 psi, the vgt is constantly cycling back and forth and the pressure fluctuates. All engine sensors have good readings through Insite. Im leaning toward the EPC for the KVGT but am looking for some input before I continue. Any and all input will be greatly appreciated.

Yes. Before you spend anymore money, remove the inlet fitting on your EGR housing. Once that is removed, up inside the housing is a 6mm Allen head screw in screen. Remove that and clean it dam good. Reassemble and see if takes care of it. Don’t damage the screen because you can’t buy it without having to buy the whole EGR assembly for $1600.00.

Vetech, We tried this earlier this morning with no luck, the code is no longer active but the VGT continues to surge almost kind of like and idle hunt. very strange, one thing that did change is with the screen cleaned completely is that the booster pump pressure is only at 158PSI where a minimum is 174psi. Im beginning to suspect that the pump is not making pressure but can not find any further trouble shooting.

Where are you getting this 174 pound minimum value? That is the pressure that the unload valve is set to release at. You will never see that pressure while operating a warm engine. Are you reading the value of the pump deadheaded or going into the VGT/EGR PWM valves?

1.2 MPa converted to 174 psi is the minimum kvgt drive pressure according to the standard values and specifications I found in the service manual. We have two gauges setup exactly like the Komatsu procedure recommends. They are on the control and drive to KVGT. We have not deadheaded the pump.

What machine are you working on?