01RAMer

I have an 2001 3500 and lately when I'm being pushed by my camper down a hill I get backfiring. It started a couple of years after I installed my Banks Brake while using it, but now it does it even when I don't use it. Any clues as to why this is happening? Thanks!

johnh

A burned valve can cause a sound like a backfire.

BarryG

My 01 backfired a few times pulling our trailer ( just popup tent trailer). It was my vp44. I had already seen the 0216 code earlier in the day as I had experienced dead pedal so checked codes. We were driving home from a vacation. It backfired twice inside the Eisenhower tunnel and again later coasting down the grade. Sounded like a howitzer had been fired in there. Kids were behind us said 2-3 feet of flame came out the exhaust. Took it in for warranty at the time and they replaced the vp never did it again after that over another 300,000 miles.

Not that the vp is your issue but a possibility though I think I would prefer to deal with the vp over a burnt valve. Aside from my experience I have no idea what else could cause it.

saggonwaggon91

Did you upgrade the valve springs when you put the brake on?

01RAMer

No, I did not upgrade the valve springs. Is this a requirement? If so I didn't know about it.

Greg Reed

It's been a long time since since a valve spring upgrade was mentioned. I have been under the impression that was for the 12 valve. My Montana is a 2955RL, never had a backfire happen, even on 8% grades.

SIXSLUG

Sounds like excess fuel getting by, need a combustable to back fire.....vp

01RAMer

I remember reading one of the posts that when using an exhaust brake, one of the sensors needs to be cleaned periodically. Does anyone remember what and where this sensor is?


I'm wondering if it isn't sensing the fuel saturation and this is causing a buildup of fuel in the cylinders going down hill.

BarryG

That sensor was the IAT and or MAP sensor/s. Usually they were talking about the IAT but if you were going to clean that one the MAP sensor is a few inches away many times was being thrown in to clean as well.