psdctd

Towed with the truck today for the first time.....What a disappointment! I was pulling an enclosed trailer with 4 snowmobiles inside...I'm guessing maybe 4500 lbs. Was going up a grade that I have previously climbed with my Powerstroke at 75 mph plus with the same trailer and 4 sleds.....Couldn't get this Cummins to pull past 60....with my foot to the floor !!!! I am also only getting about 13 mpg on the highway on a 600 mile round trip.
From everything I have read, these engines are supposedly great towing rigs and get pretty good mileage....but my recent experiences have me wondering???
Any ideas what could be the problem? Or is this what I should expect? I have to tow a 985 New Holland skid steer on a 10 ton deck over dual axle trailer next week which has gotta be around 10K+ and go up the same hill... :-[ :-[ And I don't think it's gonna make it up the hill!
Please help!
Thanks
Todd

SmokinDodge12V

This is an easy one, you can slide your stock camlpate forward and get your timing set to say 15.5 - 16 degrees that will make a big difference.

BBWD

psdctd:

You might start by checkin your truck over real close for boost leaks. Start at the turbo and work your way to the intercooler and then the intercooler to the top of the motor. Check that all connections are tight and that there are no holes in the boots that connect the ridgid sections, especially on the lower passenger side. No power and low MPG can be caused by loss of boost pressure.

Installations of guages would really help you pinpoint some problems.

John (DH)

ddestruel

I thought mine was a dog too until i reset my timing, that was the biggest thing, next was that the boot by the air to air cooler on driverside had a small tear in it. mild stuff but it made a huge difference.

darloa

psdctd, first off, is your truck a 12 or 24 valve? That bit of info could help, so guys don't give the wrong sugestions. If you just bought the truck, I would change the fuel and air filters. On several of the CDTs I have bought over the years, the previous owners apparently didn't know you could change them or something. A few bucks and a couple of minutes and what a difference. Power went up and so did mileage. Also I suggest a high quality filter from Dodge or Cummins for the fuel filter, I've had problems with the cheap ones it the past.
Darl

psdctd

The dog truck is a 12v.. :..I'm gonna check the turbo and intercooler hoses......hopefully I have a problem!!!!!.......Right this minute.... I sure miss the power of my Powerstroke!!!
But my mind is still open....I need some direction with the timing change to 16#.....
Thanks
Todd

Smokee

psdctd
There is no doubt something wrong. As suggested, start with the filters and the intercooler boots.
Get the filters from a cummins truck shop aand you will save big $$$$

ddestruel

Patience and service, a little bit of mild work on that thing and it should run better than the PSD. I have driven alot of PSD's and some do really run but the first time i drove a well maintained mildly bombed CTD i knew I needed one. Hence the CTD in my Ford. Trust us what you are experiencing it uncharacteristic of these motors.

Dusty

gunracer1

i think you need to remember that the truck you have is a 180 hp truck. not as much horse power as the power stroke you had. but the good news is that it is easy to fix that horse power problem. a simple plate change and a set of gages you will be miles ahead of the power stroke. but stock 180 hp trucks are dogs. it is a said truth, but easy to fix. get some gages first. mike

98rammer

stock, that's right on for the power. decent torque, but no hp whatsoever. Install a governor spring kit...it'll allow you to rev the motor out to get more horsepower out of it rather than having it defueling too early. it's the BEST mod for a 12valve. and yes, there's plenty of free hp underneath the hood. http://www.tstproducts.com/power_install.html follow those instructions, but you'll simply be using your stock plate already in there. a k&n or BHAF will definately help on spool up, as well as adding more low end fuel (adjusting the AFC star wheel). the transmission is your next limiting factor.

Tom

midwestdually

definitely timing set to 16* and the fuel screw. and check for leaks...a plate would be nice as well. but more than likely u will need to have the timing done at a good shop.

Ray,IN

Before anything else I'd visit a Cummins Authorized Repair center and voice your complaints. My 96 CTD was acting similar some years ago and the local Cummins Repair center made a new truck out of mine. The power and torque seemed doubled and I got a small fuel mileage increase. Some advocate advancing the timing to obtain more power, however this appears less that preferable according to this series of articles. Read them and form your own opinion. http://www.dieselinjection.net/frames.html