I just purchased my first diesel (well my first late model anyway) I have some questions. I tried to put my truck in the sig line, hope it shows up.

Sometimes the truck seems like it's stuck in 2nd gear, I can shut it down and restart and everything shifts out just fine. I have not changed the transmission fluid yet, that's next. My ABS and break light are on, and the speed odometer does not show speed until I reach 20 mph+. I tried to get a speed sensor, gave me the wrong part, so that's my first thing to do to try and fix it, any ideas on this. Also any comments on type of oil, oil filter etc, looks like it has a Fram air filter in it as of now, I plan on keeping the truck stock, do the Fram air filters do a good job? From searching and reading I need a set of gauges, mainly fuel pressure gauge, I would like a nice neat set that could be mounted somewhere below the dash, any suggestion on this would be appreciated also.

(I Thought I had my sig line fixed up)
1999 2500 4X4 automatic, limited slip differential, 103,000 miles

Clint

 

Hey Clint, welcome to the site! A speed sensor is a good bet for at least part of your problems. I wouldn't use a Fram filter on my '99. Fram did have problems with their filters not standing up to the oil pressures in our CTD's. They claim to have fixed the problem, but I would rather be safe than sorry. I use Fleetguard Stratapore filters, as do many of the guys here. I have a good friend who is a diesel mechanic, and he uses Baldwin. You would be safe with either one of those. As for oil, everyone has an opinion on what is best. I use Amsoil synthetic 15/40 Heavy Duty Diesel/Marine oil. I like the synthetics as they are a little more forgiving in both high and low temps. Enjoy your new ride!

DeWain

 

get your filters here: http://genosgarage.com/

A Fram air filter is prolly fine for now...there have been problems with oil filters. Cummins has an accepted list I dont have handy.

Oil...Any high quality diesel rated oil 15-40. Chevron dello and Shell Rotella are the two major players.

I like Redline products in the gearboxes, but run dino oil in the cranckcase.

 

I just got a '99 4x4 , I put in some Delo 30 and a qt of marvel mystry oil, to clean it. got some fleetguard LF3894 statapores oil filters.
New trans when I got it , I wanted to run synthetic in the trans but could not find out if its ok in the chrisler trans, so i put in valveline +3, Called around everywhere and nobody could tell me what the chrysler +4 had in it or if it was synthetic. And I could find anyone who new for sure that any synthetic oil was ok for chrysler trans.

Valveline 85-140 durablend in the rear axle, and Torco 90 in the front.

Guy at a real good 4x4 ringandpinion shop says they dont like the synthetics in there axles because they are to thin , they like real thick oil for "cushion" in their jeeps so the gear teeth dont slap together bounceing around

I Looked at this guys truck that had one of those toilet paper role oil filters aded on his truck.....I would not put one of those things on my truck ,seems like they would restrict flow and I dont want pieces of Toilet paper clogging my oil lines!!!

What do ya all thing of the valveline blue stuff?

 

I ran the Premium Blue Extreme for a while, but the truck didn't like it after having the Redline 15-40 in it. The PB extreme is a full syn, but the truck wasn't as smooth as with the Redline, I lost 1-2psi peak boost, and it seemed to rattle more.

The Redline is the best oil Ive used so far, but I think this M1 Truck& SUV will claim that title after this oil change. It's also about half the cost of Redline.

If you have $$ to burn, Redline is VERY nice....


Justin

 

I run premium blue extreme in mine. I change the filter every 5 and the oil every 10. I haven't had any problems with it.

 

I forgot to mention, that if you want to "cushion" your diff gears, try the Redline Shockproof Heavy gear oil.

That stuff is an indestructible gear lube!


Justin

 

I replaced the speed sensor and wow a different truck now. Shifts are now normal and at a much higher rpm, it was shifting out way low, now shifting at about 2000-2200 rpm, a couple days driving will tell me more.

Now my fuel mileage, 15 mpg

I hope for some unknown reason it will go up around 17-18 with the speed sensor replacement.

Clint

 

Also, I want to thank whoever runs this board, and everyone here, I found the info while searching around on this board. A post ABS light, and speed odometer not working till 20mph was a dead give away for my exact same problem, then along that post something about auto transmission shifting was also improved.

Vast amounts of very good info on here, thanks everyone

Clint

 

Yeah your mileage should go up with the speed sensor.....the PCM uses that for shift points and fuel.....so now that the shift points are better, the mileage should increase as well....

 

Well I got the oil and air filter changed today. The oil filter was a Purolator, and the air filter was a fram. I went back with Purolator filters, air, oil, and fuel (my next step) I used Shell Rotella 5W-40W Synthetic, I was set to go with Dello, and ended up with this (walmart shopping for ya). Not sure if it was the oil change, or the oil I used, but wow the Cummins is humming now instead of the clicky clakc it was doing, very loud before, this is my first tho, so it could be just regular oil change, or the extra amount I paid for the oil caused a part of my brain to over react and cause some sense of accomplishment.... Unless someone else has seen this as well

The next time I change I will order the Fleetguard filters, that's all that was to on hand in town. Next if the front and rear Differential, anyone have any suggestion on this, what gear oil to use, I will prob go with a synthetic, i don't do a lot of towing, but the synthetic seems to run cleaner, and last longer.

I dread the fuel filter change, back when I played farmer I remember what a pain my tractor was to crank afterwords, didn't help in cold weather. Still have a few warm days left here, so i will get that done.

Clint

 

So far, I haven't ever had a problem with fuel filter changes on my 2001. I am paranoid I will break the plastic fuel canister cap, but thats my only worry. Just remember to bump the starter but not start the truck. The lift pump should pump for enough time to purge the air out for you. I loosen a banjo bolt on the VP-44 first, so all the air blows out before heading to the injectors. Once the diesel starts flowing, I tighten back down the banjo. Like I said, never had a problem. (yet...)

 

I will not atest to the quality of all of their products, but if you are having a hard time finding any synthetic product for you truck Amsoil appears to be one choice and they have been around for afew years. They can set you up with diff and motor oil, and more if you want it. I have been using amsoil stuff for about the last 100k on my truck and nothing out of the ordinary has happened.
I see your truck is an autotrans. My stock transmission went out on me at 128K, but without one of the MANY transmission upgrade kits that are out there that is not an uncommon problem. I just did not know any better. Dodge autotrans do have a history!!! When dodge change the 3spd to a 4spd overdrive they created some lubication problems... Based on my experience, you may want your first oil change on the transmission to be done at a transmission shop where the can put in one of the upgrade kits and "road test" it for you on their dyno equipment. Transmission are kind of funny sometimes they do not make alot of fuss and warn you the just quite one day. But don't rely just on my word, ask around on the forum. You can spend anywhere form $300 to 3 or 4000 on upgrades.

Does anyone have anything to say about amsoil.