Stock star wheel position and oil leak questions
 

I have a 1997 2500 CTD I bought 4/28/07.

The previous owner told me he "turned up" the fuel. I have been studing the forum since I bought the truck and suspect he played with the star wheel or fuel plate. I want to put it back to stock.

I have two pictures attached to this message. The first it the star wheel position as seen through the inspection hole. Does this loook like the stock position to you? What shoudl it look like?

Attachment 12320

The second picture shows the top of the housing. It is soaking wet. Does oil flow through there? One of the bolts in the cover is missing which I have since replaced. Is there a gasket under there? Does anyone know the part number?

Attachment 12321

TIA,

Bob

Bob your way of linking images does not seem to work with this site .
Why do you want to return to stock ?
Most adjustments can be reasonable for these engines , they are detuned for the drive train , with a little help , you up grade for that .

can't see ur pics, but yes there is a o-ring for the AFC housing, and a missing screw would also cause a leak most likely. I think stock position for the starwheel is alittle towards the front of the engine from the middle of the inspection hole.

Here is the link: http://s88.photobucket.com/albums/k1...Dodge%20Truck/

I can click the attachments in the first post and the images will come up.

Anyway, let me know if that star wheel has been messed with.

I want to get the fule back to stock to attempt to save fuel. This truck blows black smoke often and I figure it has something to do with the fuel being turned up.

thats the same position I found my starwheel in when I first opened the plug. I think thats the stock position.

What fuel plate do u have? And yes, not having that lower left screw will cause that leak, so just get a replacment, clean the cover up and the leak should be gond (if u have the o-ring still in there)

The star wheel may be a little forward, but not that much. Not enough to change the fueling to blow black smoke if that is the only thing the PO did to "turn up the fuel". You will have to remove the AFC to check the plate to see if it is stock or not, that can make a huge difference. A easy way to tell if the AFC has been removed in the first place is to look for the breakoff screw. It is the upper left screw under the injector lines that has a small dimple in the center, no tool will fit. A flashlight will help. If it is still there, then it is a good bet that it is still stock. Not many people put a new one back when they change plates, although my PO did. If the screw is different, then somebody has been in there. I would check it anyway. How many miles are on it? Lots? Check your injectors, they may some issues that can help make smoke.

The top left screw is different. That answers why it was different. I thought it worked it's way loose like the bottom left one did.

I bought the truck on 4/28/07 with 218000 miles on it. It doesn't blow smoke all the time, only when I step on it or labor the engine, which I don't do often. It does blow grey smoke when I shut it down then start it before it cools down, like if I am in a store or refueling. From what I read that could be caused by excess fuel at start up, no?

BTW I replaced the screws in the cover and my oil leak is gone. The timing cover is leaking. I am going after that and the KDP next. Is there a gasket between the timing case and the block? Seals in the case for the crank and the cam? The front of teh engine leaks like Niagra Falls and I am counting on the worst when I go in there. I want to swap out as many gaskets and seals as I can so I only have to do it once.

Thanks for the replies.

TST sells a great KDP kit that has everything you need for about 50$. The instructions will walk you through the process.
Blowing smoke when you step on it or labor it is normal, how much smoke do you push out is the question. No matter, I would check the plate. You will want to know for certain exactly what the PO did to it, not only for your own knowledge, but if you want to add mods to it, careful, it's addictive, you need to know what you have.
From the mileage, checking the injectors wouldn't hurt either.