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First tow with CTD - less than impressed... help?

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Old 12-30-2003, 10:39 PM
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DRM
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First tow with CTD - less than impressed... (Resolved)

First tow with my 98 12v CTD auto, stock, 274,000 miles, etc. tonight.

just a bare bones trail rig Toyota 4Runner on a 16' bumper pull trailer with a roll around toolbox full of tools up front - not too awful heavy really.

A couple of less-than-impressive hills and the dang truck would drop down and not do over 55 with my foot to the floor.


Flat or just a slight grade and it pulls 70-80 mph just fine.


What gives? Could it be tranny, or is is the engine itself? IS this "normal"? Where do I even start to figure it out?

Tranny was replaced by the previous owner (According to records) 2/10/03 by AAMCO @ 238,xxx miles.

Let's just say that if this is as good as this Cummins tows, I want my Ford V10 back
Old 12-30-2003, 10:56 PM
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This isnt normal...the CTD is a towing machine....once rectified, you'll bite you tongue off for saying u want your Ford back....

When is the last time the timing was adjusted and the valve lash set??

Just a few suggestions, the timing has probably slipped....have it set to around 15.5 degrees, get a new fuel plate and a 3k or 4k GSK kit.

http://www.tstproducts.com/power_kits_trial.htm
Old 12-30-2003, 11:11 PM
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Originally posted by Dr. Evil
When is the last time the timing was adjusted and the valve lash set??

Just a few suggestions, the timing has probably slipped....have it set to around 15.5 degrees, get a new fuel plate and a 3k or 4k GSK kit.

http://www.tstproducts.com/power_kits_trial.htm
Just got the truck from a dealer - no clue if or when anything was set. Is there a FAQ for checking these items?

As for a fuel plate - that is on the short list of things I want to add right after getting the pillar pod and gauges to make sure I know what is going on.
Old 12-30-2003, 11:32 PM
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A good info source for a new owner is:

http://www.dodgeram.org/tech/dsl/maint/2nd_Gen-12v.htm
Old 12-30-2003, 11:34 PM
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BTW, maybe some more info will help.


This is my first diesel truck, just had it a few weeks.

Truck puts out NO smoke at all - not @ WOT, not any time.

D (3rd gear) seems screwed up - but I was told that is the TC locking/unlocking that is making it seem odd.

No clue if there are any mods already done to the truck - all I do know is it has some kind of remote fuel separator/flter setup on it (PrimeLoc I think is the badge on part of the bracketry?)

I will gladly share more info if someone can tell me what to look for... This is *very* disappointing so far
Old 12-31-2003, 12:14 AM
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its deffinately not normal. The truck is probably stock with a few small things wrong. My 98 could tow a load like you describe at 100 in 5th if I wanted and still have more left.


I can pass , pulling 8000 lbs in 5th from 65 to 85 on a decent grade. I ussually just watch the egt.....half throttle is faster then traffic ussually.....on the hills.

see sig.
Old 12-31-2003, 06:20 AM
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It's not right

Check first for a plugged catalytic converter, fuel filter or air filter. Fuel pressure could be low due to a bad overflow valve. Check that air intake hose clamps are in place and tight.
There's not much more that can go wrong with a 12 valve.

The Low power and/or poor fuel economy section here will give you more ideas-
http://www.dodgeram.org/tech/dsl/tro...2v_trouble.htm
Old 12-31-2003, 09:45 AM
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Originally posted by DRM
I will gladly share more info if someone can tell me what to look for... This is *very* disappointing so far
You cant reasonably expect to buy a truck with close to 400k miles and NOT expect a few problems.....

Id recommend changing ALL oils and filters. Removing the cat (likely plugged), resetting the timing, checking the overflow valve, and resetting valve lash. Another possibility is a bad lift pump (this is rare on a 12V but possible with this kind of milage) - may be a good idea to check the fuel pressure...or bad injector/s....
Old 12-31-2003, 10:06 AM
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Thanks, but lots of different suggections going lots of different directions.

Let's put it in list form of things to check first and let me know if this sounds like where I should start:

1. Change/replace all fluids and filters (oil, fuel, air)
2. Visual inspection for damage, leaks, wear, on/around engine
3. Remove cat (Temp. or permanent?)
4. Re-set timing (gotta figure out how first - lol)
5. ????


I had a typo up above - mileage is only 274,000 not 374,000.

I have been told in stock form these trucks are not that great, and a few mods should be expected to bring out the real workhorse in them.

I am about to purchase a full set of gauges (tranny/pyro/boost) and possibly a #10 plate and see what happens from there.
Old 12-31-2003, 10:23 AM
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Your list sounds perfect. Remove the cat for good, a new one is high $$$.
If there is diesel shop near you that has a diesel timing light, you can have it checked for much cheaper than the manual method. If it needs adjusting the price will be a lot more. Most often the timing is ok unless you're getting white smoke.
Old 12-31-2003, 10:27 AM
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Originally posted by infidel
Your list sounds perfect. Remove the cat for good, a new one is high $$$.
If there is diesel shop near you has a diesel timing light, you can have it checked for much cheaper than the manual method. If it needs adjusting the price will be much more. Most often the timing is ok unless you're getting white smoke.
OK - cat-b-gone can be done tomorrow afternoon
SHould I go ahead and straight pipe it while I am at it?

Yes, I think I saw a Cummins specialist in town, I may give them a call and see what help they can be.

I get no white smoke, black smoke, grey smoke, green smoke, or blue smoke.... no smoke at all - any time, WOT, idle, nothing, nada, nope.
Old 12-31-2003, 10:32 AM
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Originally posted by DRM
Thanks, but lots of different suggections going lots of different directions.

Yeah, there are lots of suggestions because its pretty hard to troubleshoot when you are sitting in front of the computer instead of being at the truck. I dont think they are going in different directions - there are a lot of possibilities here....

Your list looks good. Pull off your cat and straight pipe it....

Timing will likely require some additional help as special tools are required.

Good luck.
Old 12-31-2003, 10:41 AM
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When it's a Cummins...........what's a 100k miles here and there.

CR
Old 12-31-2003, 10:45 AM
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I straight piped mine and didn't like it, ended up putting on a free flow muffler for less than $100. Much better.
Start out with a straight pipe and see what you think.
Old 12-31-2003, 10:56 AM
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While your in there polking around, might as well take care of a few other items.

1.Belts, there is only one and you might as well replace it. Also when you take the old one off, look at the belt tensioner, make sure it has plenty of tension and check the wheel for bearing wear.
2.Hoses, top and bottom radiator hoses. Check them out, they will probally need repair no-one puts new hoses on a truck they are getting ridd of.
3.Transmission, get yourself a pan gasket and filter and some AFT. You should also get yourself a good manual, you need to get inside this trany to see if it is right. Drain the fluid and install a new filter, when adjust the bands (don't worry, they adjust very easy-you will need a torque wrench inlbs). This should let you know what shape the transmission is in.
4.Valve adjustment- I don't know how mechanical you are, but this could be done at any diesel shop. With as many miles as you have, I would say this is a must. No one ever adjust the valves, probally the biggest misstake made. Also on a truck with your miles, consider new valve springs, they are very cheap and will make a differance on a engine with as many miles as yours has.
5.All fluides-you mentioned this, and it is a very good start. If you wish, Genos Garage has all the filters,belts,hoses you will need. They are great to deal with and have very good prices. To help you out I made a list of the parts.
Upper Hose 71715 11.95
lower Hose 71716 13.95
Fan Belt (ac) 5080810 27.95
oil filter LF3552 8.45
fuel filter FS1253 12.95
trany filter/gasket MOP-3515996 16.95
Water in fuel sensor 3831852-S 15.95
Air Filter AF25541 16.95

Also don't forget to check the power steering fluide level, the rear end and front end it 4x4 for proper level, transfeer case if so equiped for fluide level, and brake master cylinder for fluide level.
The addy for genos in www.genosgarage.com

Good luck


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