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Problem number one for this amazing truck. It is the 2005 Dodge 2500 4x4 with the Cummins 6-cylinder turbo engine. It has 122,000 miles and today we were towing about 3,500 pounds and going up a ramp and the engine "burped" momentarily. It felt like it had a case of fuel starvation for a split second upon acceleration. What could be the problem? Fuel filter? Contaminated fuel? I figured I would get your input before seeing the dealer Thanks!
Aside from the issues of keeping up on routine service/maintenance/replacement of the filters ... fuel and air, these trucks had a known "problem" area with the hose clamps on the flex hoses connecting the turbo output. There was a "factory fix" update kit for awhile which included heavier duty clamps and improved high temp resistant flex hose material.
The updates I've seen were installed on the right side of the motor, down low, close by the oil filter area. Your truck may have had a momentary leak at this location as the turbo spooled up. Best to check all of these turbo output hose clamps for security and position on the hoses; if the flex hose/clamping blows out completely, you'll have almost no power, lots of black smoke, and a ton of "experts" telling you that you've "blown up" the motor or the injectors or something horribly expensive and inconvenient to fix. All it will take at that point is to re-connect the hose and clamp it securely to restore boost airflow to the motor, but once the hose/clamping is blown out ... the original hose tends to be fairly weak and will blow out again in short order under load. Best to keep a box wrench for the clamps in the glovebox for the day a clamp blows out ... you can't tighten these with a deep socket and an open end will slip around on the nut.
Location: Democratic Peoples Republic of Redneckistan
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Quote:
Originally Posted by sunsprit
Aside from the issues of keeping up on routine service/maintenance/replacement of the filters ... fuel and air, these trucks had a known "problem" area with the hose clamps on the flex hoses connecting the turbo output. There was a "factory fix" update kit for awhile which included heavier duty clamps and improved high temp resistant flex hose material.
The updates I've seen were installed on the right side of the motor, down low, close by the oil filter area. Your truck may have had a momentary leak at this location as the turbo spooled up. Best to check all of these turbo output hose clamps for security and position on the hoses; if the flex hose/clamping blows out completely, you'll have almost no power, lots of black smoke, and a ton of "experts" telling you that you've "blown up" the motor or the injectors or something horribly expensive and inconvenient to fix. All it will take at that point is to re-connect the hose and clamp it securely to restore boost airflow to the motor, but once the hose/clamping is blown out ... the original hose tends to be fairly weak and will blow out again in short order under load. Best to keep a box wrench for the clamps in the glovebox for the day a clamp blows out ... you can't tighten these with a deep socket and an open end will slip around on the nut.
Also...if you run diesel in it for long periods and then get a tank full of bio it will eat the algae and run it into your filter.I'd change the filter VERY first thing before I even worried about it in the least.
Sunsprit - Thank you...that makes perfect sense. It burped again today, this time under slight acceleration on a flat road, pulling an empty tandem axle trailer. You could hear the turbo spooling down at that moment, just for a second. Hmmm...
Muleskinner - A relative owns a shipyard and has several diesel cranes, barges and tugboats. She keeps tons of the anti-algae stuff for use with the machinery. We don't have access to biodiesel (this is California, are you kidding? ), but with it being almost 5 years old, chances are there's something growing in the tank, right?
An inspection of the flex hoses and fuel filter changes are on the agenda. I'll keep you updated!
OK, we changed the fuel filter today and inspected the flex hoses. Tomorrow morning we wil be towing about 2500 pounds and travelling 170 miles round trip. I'll let you guys know what happens!
Well guess what? Not a single burp today! We went from 4200 feet of elevation down to 1000 and back again, pulling about 2500 pounds and the truck behaved beautifully. We still plan to have the dealer inspect the flex hoses and advise on any other things the truck may need.
Thanks!
Location: We_tside PNW (Columbia Gorge) / CO / SA TX / Thailand
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It is 'diesel wise' to keep filters clean and fuel dry.
In the winter, re-fuel before parking after an extended use, as fuel tank is warm (recirculated fuel) and condensation is very harmful. Diesel injection pumps develop HIGH pressure and don't tolerate water or running dry. It is a good idea to use a Non- Alcohol fuel conditioner (like Stanadyne) to lubricate pump, dry fuel, increase Cetane.
It is a good idea to put a new fuel filter on every fall, if use doesn't require more frequent changes. Fuel at a high volume dealer (like a truck stop) as Diesel fuel can attract moisture if it sits. Another good idea is to add a 'racor' or similar 'pre-filter' that has a clear fuel bowl, so you can see what you are feeding the beast, and see water accumulating.
The advice on checking the intake hoses is good advice to follow with a turbo engine.
It is 'diesel wise' to keep filters clean and fuel dry.
In the winter, re-fuel before parking after an extended use, as fuel tank is warm (recirculated fuel) and condensation is very harmful. Diesel injection pumps develop HIGH pressure and don't tolerate water or running dry. It is a good idea to use a Non- Alcohol fuel conditioner (like Stanadyne) to lubricate pump, dry fuel, increase Cetane.
It is a good idea to put a new fuel filter on every fall, if use doesn't require more frequent changes. Fuel at a high volume dealer (like a truck stop) as Diesel fuel can attract moisture if it sits. Another good idea is to add a 'racor' or similar 'pre-filter' that has a clear fuel bowl, so you can see what you are feeding the beast, and see water accumulating.
The advice on checking the intake hoses is good advice to follow with a turbo engine.
Thanks! I do believe that changing that fuel filter should be at least an annual event and we will remember to pay special attention to that. Since where we live has a lot of dirt roads and dust, we do change the air filter about every 6 months or so. This truck is never sitting for more than a few hours, but we will be on the way to get some fuel conditioner anyway.
Personally, I am learning about diesel care and maintenance. I have always been about the gasoline. But having found and purchased a diesel Rabbit and with this truck, I am learning a lot!
Where the Dodge is concerned, it's just out of an extended warranty and prior to that, we simply sent it to the dealer and they did their thing.
If anyone has anything to add, please feel free. I don't mind the diesel education one bit!
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Thanks!
