Dodge cummins help

[spectra3279]

Hey everybody.

So need some help with my truck. A few months ago had some injector problem. Injector was old and was not shutting off completely. Had it changed. All was good for a month. Only wo. rk ever actually done to engine.

A month ago, maybe a little more, it's started stumbling when you first started it after sitting all night. Did some reading and the lift pump was old so changed it to a frame mounted one from bd diesel. That seemed to fix it for a week or so. Then it started again only random days.

Just started it today and it's stumbling every few seconds. Rpm drops about 100rpm Then back to normal.

Truck is an 03 3500 quadcab, 4x4 with 248k on it. It does have a tune but nothing major, just from the old vivid lynq.

I'm lost on what direction to go with this. No check engine lights other than having the lamp out being lit up. Turn signal bulb is out so pretty sure it's not that.

 

[monkeyswrench]

Do you have access to a scanner? A cylinder contribution test will let you know if an injector is messing up...usually they throw a code, but not always. The other things, intermittent or goofy crank position sensor, or throttle position sensor.

The tps you can check with a meter, should be a smooth sweep...they get goofy in your "cruise" area. The computer fuels based on that, and doesn't see a problem or set a code...just thinks you're tapping the throttle or something.

The crank position sensor tells it when to do what. When the magnet pickup or wiring is bad, it can get wierd too. Need a scanner or a scope the check them though. It should match engine speed, and not bounce around.

 

[Dunerking]

^^^….Have you tried removing the tuner

 

[wzuber]

How about something as simple as the intake air temp sensor being duuuurty or failing intermittantly?

 

[spectra3279]

Do you have access to a scanner? A cylinder contribution test will let you know if an injector is messing up...usually they throw a code, but not always. The other things, intermittent or goofy crank position sensor, or throttle position sensor.

The tps you can check with a meter, should be a smooth sweep...they get goofy in your "cruise" area. The computer fuels based on that, and doesn't see a problem or set a code...just thinks you're tapping the throttle or something.

The crank position sensor tells it when to do what. When the magnet pickup or wiring is bad, it can get wierd too. Need a scanner or a scope the check them though. It should match engine speed, and not bounce around.

Don't have that good of a scanner. I'll may have to buy one

 

[spectra3279]

Do you have access to a scanner? A cylinder contribution test will let you know if an injector is messing up...usually they throw a code, but not always. The other things, intermittent or goofy crank position sensor, or throttle position sensor.

The tps you can check with a meter, should be a smooth sweep...they get goofy in your "cruise" area. The computer fuels based on that, and doesn't see a problem or set a code...just thinks you're tapping the throttle or something.

The crank position sensor tells it when to do what. When the magnet pickup or wiring is bad, it can get wierd too. Need a scanner or a scope the check them though. It should match engine speed, and not bounce around.

This is all happening at idle. Didn't drive it after it started the every few seconds thing. Before it only did anything after an initial start of the day. Would only do it once. Thought it was just an air leak letting fuel bleed back to tank. But pretty sure it's not that now

 

[spectra3279]

^^^….Have you tried removing the tuner

That's the next step. Reprogram.

 

[spectra3279]

How about something as simple as the intake air temp sensor being duuuurty or failing intermittantly?

It's possible. Not sure how it effects the engine really so didn't think of it

 

[spectra3279]

Borrowed a scanner so will check it tomorrow

 

[spectra3279]

So went through all the test I could stumble through. The only real thing I found was when I cut off the injector that was replaced, the engine doesn't really change how it runs. The others make a much more noticeable difference. Some more than others but you can tell they do make a change. Injector 3 was replaced a few months ago and it's the one making no real change in its running.

The scanner I have won't test the crank angle sensor so I guess I still need to get something for that.

 

[BB132]

Do a search in the forums at
www.turbodieselregister .com

 

[spectra3279]

Do a search in the forums at
www.turbodieselregister .com

Been looking there also.

 

[monkeyswrench]

Where'd the new injector come from? I've had crappy remans and also seen some real cheap Chinesium ones. Cheap as in 90$ on eBay. Isn't number 3 at the rear of the air horn? Just for shits and giggles, make sure it isn't leaking there. If the keeper backs out, the fuel tube will bleed into the return galley, but usually it would still seep past the o-ring.

 

[WTR&PWR]

I had almost the exact same issue with my 2015 ram. It was a fuel control actuator. Only stumbled at idle. They are known to go bad. Only issue is replacements are known for being shitty and hit or miss. I bought the Bosch one and it still had issue then bought from the dealer and it fixed it. Super easy fix.

 

[Colton]

Monitor rail pressure while it's acting up if you can. Try a re torque on the feed tube to the injector also (not the line itself). I'd guess it's time for a set of injectors though. Had good luck with a company called injectors direct. A video of it running funky would help us. Any smoke from the tail pipe with the miss? I've had them miss right before they drop a valve seat too. Good luck!

 

[Colton]

Also a do a overhead on that turd (re adjust the valve lash) that's a good amount of miles.

 

[Ladsm]

@248k you should have had to do the lift pump already, clean the gas tank while its out, all new matched Bosch injectors, water pump and you are getting near needing a Turbo.

My 2005 5.9 lost an injector @200K so did them and valve adjustment, 210K lost lift pump, last month @240K blew out #6 exhaust gasket and since I had it apart replaced the turbo. Wow the Turbo made a huge difference in how it ran and is peppy again. I replaced the alternator while I was in there as well. I do the work myself so I dont pay for labor, its expensive but less that a few months payment of a new truck.

 

[Andy B.]

@248k you should have had to do the lift pump already, clean the gas tank while its out, all new matched Bosch injectors, water pump and you are getting near needing a Turbo.

My 2005 5.9 lost an injector @200K so did them and valve adjustment, 210K lost lift pump, last month @240K blew out #6 exhaust gasket and since I had it apart replaced the turbo. Wow the Turbo made a huge difference in how it ran and is peppy again. I replaced the alternator while I was in there as well. I do the work myself so I dont pay for labor, its expensive but less that a few months payment of a new truck.

I have 05 question, I have 152k on mine running great still lots of power but I seem to have lost almost 2miles a gallon. Did test on injectors, fuel pressure test all still close to oem specs. And yes I change fuel filter every oil change and run Diesel Kleen in it.

 

[Ladsm]

I have 05 question, I have 152k on mine running great still lots of power but I seem to have lost almost 2miles a gallon. Did test on injectors, fuel pressure test all still close to oem specs. And yes I change fuel filter every oil change and run Diesel Kleen in it.

not sure about what would be causing the drop in mileage. Looking back I should have changed my lift pump closer to 150K miles. Thats when it would act funny towing a heavy load (17K lbs) up a long grade. After it finally died and I replaced it that went away. MIght be worth putting a guage on the intake to see how much boost its making. Changing the turbo made a huge difference in how it ran and no more black smoke on acceleration.

 

[Andy B.]

not sure about what would be causing the drop in mileage. Looking back I should have changed my lift pump closer to 150K miles. Thats when it would act funny towing a heavy load (17K lbs) up a long grade. After it finally died and I replaced it that went away. MIght be worth putting a guage on the intake to see how much boost its making. Changing the turbo made a huge difference in how it ran and no more black smoke on acceleration.

Thanks!

 

[spectra3279]

Where'd the new injector come from? I've had crappy remans and also seen some real cheap Chinesium ones. Cheap as in 90$ on eBay. Isn't number 3 at the rear of the air horn? Just for shits and giggles, make sure it isn't leaking there. If the keeper backs out, the fuel tube will bleed into the return galley, but usually it would still seep past the o-ring.

Diesel power inc. It was sposed to be an oem part. They installed it also.

I believe it's on the back side of the intake elbow. It does look like it's been leaking there. Just not sure if it's currently leaking. Cleaned that area so maybe I can see if it currently is

 

[spectra3279]

Monitor rail pressure while it's acting up if you can. Try a re torque on the feed tube to the injector also (not the line itself). I'd guess it's time for a set of injectors though. Had good luck with a company called injectors direct. A video of it running funky would help us. Any smoke from the tail pipe with the miss? I've had them miss right before they drop a valve seat too. Good luck!

I'll try and get a video. Not sure about any smoke as I've been the only one around when it does it. Happens to fast to get out of the truck and run around to see.

 

[spectra3279]

@248k you should have had to do the lift pump already, clean the gas tank while its out, all new matched Bosch injectors, water pump and you are getting near needing a Turbo.

My 2005 5.9 lost an injector @200K so did them and

valve adjustment, 210K lost lift pump, last month @240K blew out #6 exhaust gasket and since I had it apart replaced the turbo. Wow the Turbo made a huge difference in how it ran and is peppy again. I replaced the alternator while I was in there as well. I do the work myself so I dont pay for labor, its expensive but less that a few months payment of a new truck.

Sorry I typoed the milage. 348k. I replaced upgraded the turbo at about the 180k mark. Put a killer b on it. Yeah, was a whole different truck.

Alternators been replaced a few times. Water pump twice. Power steering pump once. Need to replace/rebuild steering box as it's leaking a little power steering fluid. Clutch was replaced at about the 250k mark. Had the rear main and the cam seal done at same time.

 

[spectra3279]

Monitor rail pressure while it's acting up if you can. Try a re torque on the feed tube to the injector also (not the line itself). I'd guess it's time for a set of injectors though. Had good luck with a company called injectors direct. A video of it running funky would help us. Any smoke from the tail pipe with the miss? I've had them miss right before they drop a valve seat too. Good luck!

I need a different scanner as the one I borrowed won't do that. Can anybody suggest a good one? Not one of those 3000 dollar ones though.

 

[spectra3279]

I'm also thinking of replacing all the injectors. Is there a reputable place I should be buying them from?

 

[wzuber]

I'm also thinking of replacing all the injectors. Is there a reputable place I should be buying them from?

Colton made a recommendation in post #15

 

[Javajoe]

When I had a strong tune I had to pull and clean my EGR valve every couple weeks. Pretty quick to do. It gets sooted up when you got an aggressive tune. Causes a lot of issues.

 

[wzuber]

When I had a strong tune I had to pull and clean my ERG valve every couple weeks. Pretty quick to do. It gets sooted up when you got an aggressive tune. Causes a lot of issues.

ERG? Or EGR...exhaust gas recirculating?

 

[Javajoe]

ERG? Or EGR...exhaust gas recirculating?

EGR lol my bad

 

[Colton]

Yeah I currently run some injectors from a place called injectors direct. The ones I got from them a few years ago have like 40k miles on them with a set of 120% over nozzles( i swapped nozzles) and no issues at all. If you do the injectors, do the feed tubes at the same time. Get those directly from cummins though because most are knock offs from China. Lines wouldn't be a bad idea either.

 

[spectra3279]

Colton made a recommendation in post #15

Just realized that. Thanks

 

[spectra3279]

When I had a strong tune I had to pull and clean my EGR valve every couple weeks. Pretty quick to do. It gets sooted up when you got an aggressive tune. Causes a lot of issues.

Non egr and non catalyst engine.

 

[spectra3279]

The vivid lynq isn't an agressive tune. Or at least I don't think it is, 150 horse max and only smoked when shifting under load or high rpm. And even then not bad. So if I'm doing injectors I'm thinking maybe a set of 50hp injectors.


When you say feed tubes are you talking the external fuel lines or the ones going through the head to the injectors?

 

[spectra3279]

This is what I'm looking at. It's all cummins parts. With the injectors being new bosch then modified for the 50hp

2003-2004.5 5.9 Cummins +50 HP Injector Replacement Kit – OEM New | InjectorsDirect.com

Not available for sale in California. Everything you need to properly install injectors in your 2003-2004.5 5.9 Cummins. Complete Kit $2,899.99 The kit includes: Full set of OEM New +50HP 5.9 2003-2004.5 injectors Cummins 5.9/6.7 High Pressure Fuel Connector Tubes Cummins 5.9 High Pressure Fuel...

www.injectorsdirect.com

 

[Colton]

That should work. Has lines and connector/feed tubes. Be meticulously clean during the installation.

 

[spectra3279]

Also thinking of doing a gear vendor unit at the same time.


The initial injector problem started when driving back from Shallotte NC. To western ky. 373 gears and a 6speed has the motor screaming at 80mph. And it's a fairly long run.

 

[monkeyswrench]

Just a heads-up, if you put in upgraded injectors, you should have the tune matched. I did a set for a guy who said not to worry about it, he'd "take care of it"...Well, the pulse width and timing was based on "X", but the numbers were now "Y". The injector timing felt laggy, but it ran hot under acceleration, not towing.

With Injectors Direct, I've had a mixed bag...D-max injectors I had issues with, Powerstroke ones did great. Haven't done any Cummins ones from them though. The D-max ones were also 5ish years back.

 

[monkeyswrench]

Also thinking of doing a gear vendor unit at the same time.


The initial injector problem started when driving back from Shallotte NC. To western ky. 373 gears and a 6speed has the motor screaming at 80mph. And it's a fairly long run.

My 02 6spd came with 3.54's, and was great. Factory 3500 wheels and tires. I ended up with 3.73's though, and yes, was a little short legged on the highway at times. The tradeoff for me was the advantages while pulling the big gooseneck. If you don't pull real heavy, I'd think swapping the diffs to 3.54's would be a good swap. With a manual, you still have a short 1st to get up and rolling.

 

[spectra3279]

Just a heads-up, if you put in upgraded injectors, you should have the tune matched. I did a set for a guy who said not to worry about it, he'd "take care of it"...Well, the pulse width and timing was based on "X", but the numbers were now "Y". The injector timing felt laggy, but it ran hot under acceleration, not towing.

With Injectors Direct, I've had a mixed bag...D-max injectors I had issues with, Powerstroke ones did great. Haven't done any Cummins ones from them though. The D-max ones were also 5ish years back.

Hell is there anyone that still does tuning with the way the epa has been going after people. I was figuring that 50hp injectors would still be close enough to stock that it wouldn't matter. But I guess not.

 

[spectra3279]

My 02 6spd came with 3.54's, and was great. Factory 3500 wheels and tires. I ended up with 3.73's though, and yes, was a little short legged on the highway at times. The tradeoff for me was the advantages while pulling the big gooseneck. If you don't pull real heavy, I'd think swapping the diffs to 3.54's would be a good swap. With a manual, you still have a short 1st to get up and rolling.

I do love how it pulls. The spectra is kinda heavy and I keep it at 68 when towing it so no issues with that. The gear vendor would only be empty on highway. But 5th and gear vendor is still better than 6th no gear vendor. Based in their ratio charts. 6th gear being a smaller diameter also would take the strain off of it when towing.

Luckily I only have to tow it 25 miles now. But at some point will take it to Florida and NC. May even do lotto one year. So trying to plan on longevity of it also.

 

[spectra3279]

When I left komifornia I had 4k loaded in the bed, the boat plus had about 2-3k extra in the boat. Run the 40 to Arkansas. Never had to gear down for any hills. Did a couple times only cause egt was a little more than I liked but were still safe. It never once felt like it needed anything other than a 7th gear. And that was with the full power tune from the vivid lynq. It's a pretty conservative tune.

 

[wzuber]

EGR lol my bad

I was just asking for my own clarity, not to be dik. Being a Dodge ( chevy guy here) I wasn't sure if there was another component That I wasn't familiar with that acronym so I thought I'd ask.

 

[Javajoe]

I was just asking for my own clarity, not to be dik. Being a Dodge ( chevy guy here) I wasn't sure if there was another component That I wasn't familiar with that acronym so I thought I'd ask.

Lol yea no problem. I had a 6.0 and had that issue. Don’t know Dodge engines but just throwing that out there. I must have dyslexia

 

[spectra3279]

Lol yea no problem. I had a 6.0 and had that issue. Don’t know Dodge engines but just throwing that out there. I must have dyslexia

Newer one have it. And I believe komifornia models my year had one. Probably wrong though. Mine is not a komifornia model

 

[spectra3279]

Will get some video tomorrow. I'll get one chance at first start. So hope I get one that shows exhaust and hope you can hear it stumble

 

[Colton]

Find someone to throw a efi tune in it with those injectors. Would definitely be worth it.

 

[spectra3279]

I had to move it yesterday and it didn't do the stumbling every 30 seconds deal.

 

[spectra3279]

Find someone to throw a efi tune in it with those injectors. Would definitely be worth it.

You talking about the efi live tune? It's not for 03 trucks. Unless they changed it. 03 trucks the buss was to slow

 

[Colton]

Maybe look at the edge cts3 for a monitor to it. It will read rail pressure and monitor a few extra things, boost etc, add a egt. Trans temp probe to it and you're good to go.

 

[Colton]

You talking about the efi live tune? It's not for 03 trucks. Unless they changed it. 03 trucks the buss was to slow

Could always probably use hp tuners then I guess.