Holset HE351VE Turbo Rebuild Service

PT Turbo rebuilds and remanufactures Holset HE351VE turbochargers in-house at our San Bernardino, CA shop. Every unit goes through a full teardown, OEM-spec or better parts replacement, CIMAT VSR balancing, and final quality inspection before it ships back — backed by a 12-month unlimited mileage warranty and nationwide mail-in service. Commonly found on 6.7L Cummins.

Shop Holset turbochargers in stock at PT Turbo →  |  Holset Turbo Rebuild Service →

Common HE351VE Part Numbers

The following part and SKU numbers from PT Turbo’s catalog match or cross-reference to the Holset HE351VE:

Don’t see your number? Contact PT Turbo — we’ve been matching turbo part numbers since 1978.

Trouble Codes Often Seen on 6.7L Cummins Equipped with the HE351VE

These are generic diagnostic trouble codes commonly associated with turbo boost control issues on this application. They’re triggered by the vehicle’s ECU, not the turbo itself, so confirm with a scan tool before assuming the turbocharger is at fault.

• P0299 — Turbocharger/Supercharger Boost Pressure – Low (underboost)
• P0234 — Turbocharger/Supercharger Overboost Condition
• P003A — Turbocharger Boost Control Position Sensor Circuit Low
• P2563 — Turbocharger Boost Control Position Sensor

Also Known As

Buyers searching for this turbo often use a handful of different names for the same unit.

• HE351VE VGT
• Holset 6.7L Cummins turbo
• HE351VE variable geometry turbocharger
• 6.7 Cummins VGT turbo
• Holset HE351 VGT
• 6.7 Cummins variable vane turbo

Vehicles We Commonly See With the HE351VE

The HE351VE is the factory variable geometry turbo on the mid-range Cummins 6.7L platform, and these are the trucks we rebuild it for most.

Dodge / Ram 2500 and 3500 (6.7L Cummins)

• 2007.5-2012 Ram 2500 with the 6.7L Cummins
• 2007.5-2012 Ram 3500 with the 6.7L Cummins
• Cab and chassis trucks running the same 6.7L engine

Heavier 6.7L Cummins Pickups

• 4500 and 5500 chassis cab trucks with the 6.7L
• Trucks equipped with the factory integrated exhaust brake tied to VGT function

Fleet and Work Trucks

• Service trucks, flatbeds, and utility bodies built on the 6.7L Cummins
• Tow rigs and high-idle work trucks that see heavy soot loading

Common HE351VE Failure Symptoms

• Check engine light with overboost or underboost codes
• Truck dropping into limp mode with no boost above idle
• Exhaust brake working weakly or not engaging at all
• Sluggish throttle response and lazy spool, especially under load or towing
• Audible whistling or whining from a worn center cartridge
• Shaft play you can feel when wiggling the compressor wheel
• Blue or black smoke under acceleration from oil seal or vane issues
• Surging or hunting boost that the actuator cannot hold steady

Real HE351VE Failures We See in Our Shop

On the HE351VE units we rebuild, the same handful of problems show up over and over, and almost all of them trace back to the variable geometry side of this turbo.

• Soot and carbon baking onto the unison ring and vanes is the number one thing we see. The vanes get stuck part open or closed, the turbo can no longer control boost, and the truck either won’t make power or throws boost codes.
• The electronic actuator on the side of the housing is a frequent failure. When it gives up, the truck goes into limp mode, throws a check engine light, and loses both boost control and exhaust brake function. We test and address this every time the unit comes in.
• Vane position sensor drift sends false readings to the ECM, which then commands the wrong vane position. That mismatch is what generates the overboost and underboost codes a lot of customers come in chasing.
• Exhaust brake complaints almost always tie back to the VGT itself. Because the brake works by closing the vanes, a sticking unison ring or weak actuator kills braking long before anyone notices a boost problem.
• We frequently see worn center cartridges with shaft play and oil seal seepage on higher mileage units, usually alongside the carbon buildup, so we rebuild the whole thing rather than chasing one symptom.
• Neglected oil changes show up as coked oil in the center housing, which accelerates bearing and seal wear on these turbos.

Preventing Future HE351VE Failures

Most HE351VE failures are about soot and oil quality, and both are within your control.

• Stick to clean oil and don’t stretch change intervals. Coked oil is what kills the center cartridge.
• Let the truck warm up before loading it hard and idle a minute after heavy towing to let the turbo cool down.
• Avoid a steady diet of short trips that never get the exhaust hot enough to burn off soot in the vanes.
• Use the exhaust brake regularly. Cycling the vanes helps keep the unison ring from carboning up in one position.
• Keep the air filter clean and the intake sealed so grit never reaches the compressor wheel.
• Check the boost system for leaks at the intercooler boots and clamps so the turbo isn’t overworking to hit target boost.
• Keep the cooling and EGR systems healthy, since excess soot from poor combustion ends up loading the VGT vanes.

Common HE351VE Upgrade Paths

When customers send in an HE351VE for rebuild, a lot of them ask what can be improved while it’s apart. The most common questions are about upgraded compressor and turbine wheels for more airflow on tuned trucks, billet compressor wheels for added strength, and improved thrust bearings and 360 degree thrust setups for trucks that see hard towing or higher boost. The actuator and electronics are also a common point of discussion since their reliability drives so many of the codes on this platform. These are factual options, and the right choice depends on whether the truck is stock, mildly tuned, or built for heavy work.

Frequently Asked Questions

How to Identify Your Holset Turbo

The identification tag is typically located on the compressor housing, bearing housing, or center section of the turbocharger. It usually lists the model number, assembly number, and serial number. If you’re not sure which Holset model you have, send PT Turbo a photo of the tag and we’ll help identify it before you ship anything.

PT Turbo Warranty

• 12-month, unlimited mileage warranty against defects in parts and workmanship
• Final quality inspection on every rebuild: leak test, visual inspection, actuator or wastegate function check
• In-house CIMAT VSR balancing with a balance report included
• Nationwide mail-in service — you don’t need to be local

What the HE351VE Rebuild May Include

• Complete teardown of all major components
• Ultrasonic or parts cleaning to remove carbon, oil residue, and contamination
• Journal bearing, thrust bearing, and seal replacement
• O-rings and hardware replacement
• Shaft and wheel inspection, with compressor or turbine wheel replacement if needed
• VGT vane mechanism and actuator cleaning, inspection, or repair
• CIMAT VSR balancing
• Final inspection

Why Customers Choose PT Turbo

• Rebuilding turbochargers, including Holset, since 1978
• In-house CIMAT VSR balancing on every unit, not outsourced
• Full housing sandblasting and OEM-spec or better parts replacement
• Inspect first, quote before work begins — no surprise charges
• Nationwide mail-in service from our San Bernardino, CA shop

PT Turbo Inspection Process

Every turbocharger goes through the same evaluation before any work begins:

1. Initial evaluationcompressor wheel, turbine wheel, shaft, bearing housing, VGT assembly (if equipped), actuator, and seal surfaces are checked first.
2. Complete disassemblythe turbocharger is fully torn down and every major component is inspected individually.
3. Cleaningcomponents are cleaned to remove carbon, oil residue, rust, and contamination.
4. Measurementcritical tolerances are measured against OEM specification.
5. Reassemblyrebuilt using new wear components matched to your specific model.
6. CIMAT VSR balancingthe rotating assembly is balanced in-house, with a balance report included.
7. Final inspectionleak test, visual inspection, and actuator or wastegate function check before shipment.

No work begins without your approval. You receive a quote after inspection, not before.

Pricing

Most rebuilds require inspection before final pricing. Standard rebuild pricing depends on the turbo model, parts availability, wheel condition, shaft condition, housing damage, and whether upgrades are requested. PT Turbo inspects every turbo and sends a quote before any work begins — no surprise charges.

Related Holset Models

Related Turbo Resources