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diesel help!!! - or new vehicle?

Last post 10-16-2007, 7:37 PM by K.P. McClain. 8 replies.
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  •  10-07-2007, 5:27 PM 267170

    diesel help!!! - or new vehicle?

    so yet again my truck did not make it back from Topeka. Well it would have if I didn't stop at  friend's house to attempt to change the fuel filter which was giving me problems (high differential across the filter on my boost/vacuum gauge and no power going up hills). So we made the mistake by putting the filter on without pre-filling it. I attempted to prime it with the lever on the lift pump, but we got lots of air in the system. Cranked it and it started until we hit the huge air pocket. We cranked it until the batteries died (a few of them) with the nuts on top of the fuel injectors cracked. A little fuel came out, but not near as much as usual when I perform this procedure. Any ideas? We took the filter off near the begining and the pump did put some fuel into the filter, but not completely filled. We filled it up and then proceeded to crank throuh the multiple batteries.

    - 93 dodge cummins turbo diesel

    If I don't get the truck started I am investigating new tow vehicles.

    1) Cheap Gas RV (36') - Pros: Low entry cost, have comfortable place to stay while on the road. Cons: Expensive on Gas (5 mpg), 36' + 24' is very hard to get into gas stations, and need to find someplace to park it.
    2) Buy new/newer Pickup truck gas/diesel
    3) Buy Renegade

    I can't justify a Renegade since I don't tow that much anymore. Really thinking about the older RV, even though it will be a PITA to refuel. Used trucks in TX are EXPENSIVE!!!


    Chapter 11 Racing
    Win or Go Broke Tryin'
    www.chapter11racing.com
  •  10-07-2007, 6:30 PM 267175 in reply to 267170

    Re: diesel help!!! - or new vehicle?

    My brother just went through a similar problem with his and it ended up being a bad injector pump.  They're not cheap but it's less than a bunch of new payments if the rest of the truck is in good shape.  His has about 250k and he's rebuilt the trans, transfer case, front ball joints and replaced the injector pump but the engine/turbo are still pulling strong.  If I recal correctly, the injector pump was around $850 so it would be worth taking it to a reputable mechanic to troubleshoot it before just replacing parts.
    DJsilver
  •  10-07-2007, 6:32 PM 267176 in reply to 267170

    Re: diesel help!!! - or new vehicle?


    Sounds like it could be a bad lift pump.

     

     


    www.teamWTF.org
    WDCR
    AS C4 z51
    ASP e46m3 "slower than an Evo" ;)
  •  10-07-2007, 8:28 PM 267188 in reply to 267176

    Re: diesel help!!! - or new vehicle?

    My experience with a 5.9 Cummins says check the lift pump.  Is it an electirc pump, mine was newer than '93.  The electric lift pump should fill the filter container without any problem.  If it is bad, and has been bad for long it may have killed the injection pump.  That pump relies on good flow from the lift pump for cooling.
  •  10-07-2007, 10:01 PM 267201 in reply to 267188

    Re: diesel help!!! - or new vehicle?

    1. Apparently you don't know me if you think my truck is in any kind of respectable shape. It was a NY truck, there is rust everywhere. The Cummins engine and Holset turbo run great. And I have a new Jasper rebuilt (was new at Nationals last year) NV450 transmission.

    2. The lift pump (mechanical) was installed before last season, and I hardly drove the truck this year. It may have ~25,000 miles on it, if that.


    Chapter 11 Racing
    Win or Go Broke Tryin'
    www.chapter11racing.com
  •  10-13-2007, 11:16 PM 268367 in reply to 267170

    Re: diesel help!!! - or new vehicle?

    I would check the fuel shutoff solenoid.  It is next to the injection pump, and has a long rod attached to it.  It is the solenoid that controls the fuel flow to the injection pump.  As a dodge/cummins mechanic I can tell you they fail often.  And sometimes they will only partially energize, just allowing a trickle of fuel.  Owners often mistake this problem for a plugged fuel filter.

    Nick

  •  10-15-2007, 7:18 PM 268645 in reply to 268367

    Re: diesel help!!! - or new vehicle?

    fastneons:

    I would check the fuel shutoff solenoid.  It is next to the injection pump, and has a long rod attached to it.  It is the solenoid that controls the fuel flow to the injection pump.  As a dodge/cummins mechanic I can tell you they fail often.  And sometimes they will only partially energize, just allowing a trickle of fuel.  Owners often mistake this problem for a plugged fuel filter.

    Nick


    Chapter 11 Racing
    Win or Go Broke Tryin'
    www.chapter11racing.com
  •  10-15-2007, 7:20 PM 268647 in reply to 268367

    Re: diesel help!!! - or new vehicle?

    fastneons:

    I would check the fuel shutoff solenoid.  It is next to the injection pump, and has a long rod attached to it.  It is the solenoid that controls the fuel flow to the injection pump.  As a dodge/cummins mechanic I can tell you they fail often.  And sometimes they will only partially energize, just allowing a trickle of fuel.  Owners often mistake this problem for a plugged fuel filter.

    Nick

     Is that what the little blue wire ataches to? Once we reconnected the little blue wire the deathtrap came back to life.

    On a side note, I blew a fuseable link in the wire that goes to the alternaor. Any clue what Amp rating it should be so I can replace it and not my alternator?

     

    Thanks!


    Chapter 11 Racing
    Win or Go Broke Tryin'
    www.chapter11racing.com
  •  10-16-2007, 7:37 PM 268862 in reply to 268647

    Re: diesel help!!! - or new vehicle?

    Try here...

    http://turbodieselregister.com/

    You have to join to post on their forum...but as a Cummins owner you should belong any way.

    You can also try here...

    http://carsondodge.com/forums/forumdisplay.php?f=4

    John Holmes works for the dealer...but has a pretty vast knowledge of Dodge diesels

    If you scan through the forums you might come across the answers you seek.   Happy Hunting !!

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