1st Gen. Ram - All Topics Discussion for all Dodge Rams prior to 1994. This includes engine, drivetrain and non-drivetrain discussions. Anything prior to 1994 should go in here.

What is runaway, how does it happen, how do I stop it?!

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Old Nov 9, 2009 | 03:59 PM
  #46  
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From: Central Mi
It's somewhat anoying when you've got the TC locked also...
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Old Sep 19, 2011 | 10:39 PM
  #47  
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Also; since Detroit Diesels are 2-stroke cycle engines they produce a power stroke every revolution of the crankshaft which makes them accellerate instantaneously; sometimes if not choked quick enough they will suck the seals right out of the blowers; as they also require blowers; and then you have no way to control the air flow; now the only options is to take a hammer to the fuel lines asap and hope like (he + double hockey sticks) it dies before it granades; I've seen this happen and it's not pretty;
great info on the pump's power adjust screw concept; don't get rammy and things will work just fine, thanks for the input
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Old Sep 19, 2011 | 11:30 PM
  #48  
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Might as well throw in my .02 since I've been around the block for a few times. When testing for runaway you have to floor it, to see if it will truly run away or not, not just give it a little pedal and then let off. When I first got my truck I had it run away on the street but was able to bring it back with the brakes. It would be fine at idle, but then take off.

I also gave it a little too much fuel screw one time at a gas station of all places, and it ran up and hung at the gov. Not a true runaway in my opinion, but still scary. I was able to shut it off with the key.

I've also shut mine off with a clipboard (laminated) just to test it, and it worked, even at high rpm. Phone books, hands, rags, or anything with loose parts (fiberboard or something) are no-no's.
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Old Sep 20, 2011 | 06:59 AM
  #49  
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From: Southern California
Here is my Positive Air Shutoff Device.

I took a block of aluminum 1" thick and about 6"X 6" square and to the bottom of it I cemented using contact cement a like sized piece of 1/4" think rubber off a scrap of mud flap that I just happen to have lying around.



This is what the finished block looks like as you can see it will provide a nice flat sealing surface and I can use this on any turbo with up to a 6" inlet.

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For me it is easy to remove my crossover pipe and apply the block off directly to the intake manifold.

I have had one experience turning up the fuel screw on my pump when the RPM's started to rise rapidly so I dropped the block on top of the intake and within seconds the engine choked itself to a stop.

I still get a cold sweat when I think what could have happened if I was not prepared (or if I dropped the block under the truck when it slipped out of my hand)

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After I made this I checked to see if it would really stop the engine so I was ready with block in hand and revved the engine against the governor, dropping the block onto the intake the engine instantly died as the engine now became a huge vacuum pump sucking all of the air from behind the rubber seal, one way to check the condition of your valves, a good 30 seconds later I could still barley pull the block away from the intake and when I did I heard a loud sucking THUMP as the air rushed back in.

Here is also a scenario that could easily happen and turn your cummins into an external combustion engine with ventilated block.

You pull into your AM/PM Mini Mart with your honey sittin next to you asking her if she wants a soda or a slurpee with her jerky when you glance over into the next island as Cool Mc Fly is putting gas in his Escalade with 60" rims when suddenly he drops the gas nozzle onto the ground as gasoline is pouring from the nozzle and the puddle is headed under your truck..
suddenly your engine begins ingesting the vapor and takes off like it got a massive shot of Nitrous and a runaway has occurred.

What would you do, before you were able to change your pants?

Jim
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Old Sep 20, 2011 | 08:12 AM
  #50  
maybe368's Avatar
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From: Phoenix AZ
Originally Posted by Jim Lane
with her jerky
You shouldn't be so hard on yourself, you seem like a nice guy to me ...Mark
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Old Oct 18, 2011 | 01:56 AM
  #51  
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sooo im new. where is the power screw?
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Old Sep 1, 2012 | 07:08 PM
  #52  
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From: Townsend, MT
One more question. If I have my pump a 1/4 turn from running away, will changing to a 3200 RPM spring make it runaway?
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Old Sep 1, 2012 | 08:33 PM
  #53  
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From: Southern New Jersey
No that will not cause a run away.
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Old Sep 1, 2012 | 10:21 PM
  #54  
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Originally Posted by 1972RedNeck
One more question. If I have my pump a 1/4 turn from running away, will changing to a 3200 RPM spring make it runaway?
Mine went right up against the governor at 3,000+rpm when I put the spring in, so not a true runaway, but scary! I'd turn it down a few turns just to be safe.
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Old Oct 17, 2012 | 10:47 PM
  #55  
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From: Townsend, MT
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=8M1o2...eature=related
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Old Oct 18, 2012 | 06:31 AM
  #56  
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What if you shoved a potato in the exhaust?
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Old Oct 18, 2012 | 07:10 AM
  #57  
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It would take a big tater and good luck getting it in there. Also would think trying to stop a screaming motor using back pressure could cause more damage than good. I've stopped mine several times with a board and the manual shut down lever. Don't know if that manual lever works all the time but mine has stated to take off twice while adjusting things. I quickly pulled the lever and it shut down.
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Old Oct 18, 2012 | 07:15 AM
  #58  
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If done correctly no damage can be done by starving it for air. But i could see using the exhaust to shut it down hurting parts.
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Old Oct 18, 2012 | 07:23 AM
  #59  
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Ha ha, I was just kidding about the potato. I use to put a potato in hot girls car and I happen to be around... I would take a cork screw and tell them they didn't need that part. Free number.
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