I’ve got a 2001 dodge, it will start just fine, not a hard start, it will drive and shift just fine up to around 40-45 mph, after that it starts missing/fluttering really bad, its actually hard to get it on up to 60 mph.
once it starts running bad and fluttering it will have some blue smoke as well.
Once I finely get it up to speed it will level out and be ok until I come to a small hill or anything that causes it to use a little extra power or fuel.
I have changed the fuel filter, I have checked the turbo, I have put a new air filter, I have tightened and checked battery posts, I typically run sea foam every 3-4 fill ups.
can someone please shed some light on my issue. Thank you

 

What is the fuel pressure from the Lift Pump?
Those VP-44s do not run well, but will run on a dying or dead LP for a bit before it kill the injection pump.

 

Do you have a fuel pressure gauge? Sounds like you may have a lift pump issue that isn't providing enough fuel under load.

 

I don’t have a fuel pressure gauge since its a completely stock truck.
mom Definitely not a mechanic. Lol

 

Oliver what is a VP-44??
Sorry to ask dumb questions??

 

VP-44 is the style of injection pump you have on that 24V.

It runs OKAY with a dying Lift Pump, but will soon kill the VP-44 and your problems will get bigger and much more expensive.

I would test the fuel pressure before driving it anymore.

 

Oliver what is a VP-44 if I may ask. Sorry I’m really not a mechanic and haven’t had the pickup very long.
it’s my first diesel pickup I’ve owned

 

the truck is completely stock so no I don’t have a fuel pressure gauge.

 

I answered this already in the above post.

It is your Injection Pump, which is very expensive.

 

I install a fuel pressure gauge [or at least a low pressure red light that comes on] on ANY 24V truck I plan on running, regardless of if it is stock or built up.

 

ok I will have that done. The guy I bought the truck from a year ago had a brand new injector pump put on it, he had it done at the dodge dealership in Washington state, the stickers aren’t even worn off of it yet.
a month after they installed it all the bolts backed out of it and 3 out of the four was completely missing. Maybe that caused more issues for me than I thought

 

Some other options could be a dirty fuel filter which you said you changed, dirty air filter which you said you changed, or even leaking some/all of the charge air/boost. Check all the intercooler boot/hose connections and also look for any holes in any of the charge air hoses. I had one on my lower passenger side hose iirc it was the ac sensor on the front frame rail that rubbed. While it wasn't as bad as yours sounds it definitely made a difference fixing it. Once I somehow forgot to tighten one of the clamps on one of those hoses when doing other work that required removing a couple of the hoses for access and wondered what happened to my truck. Was just a loose clamp. Fixed in 5 minutes, for free well at least after I discovered the issue, which frankly was by chance poking around in there looking around I hit the clamp and it was loose couldn't tell by looking at the hose as it was connected just the loose clamp. And has been said definitely get some sort of fuel pressure gauge on there so you can check that lift pump pressure. As Oliver said that can start getting expensive..

 

this advice from everyone has been most helpful and I very much appreciate it from everyone. I’m going to definitely figure out a fuel pressure gauge and also I’ve ordered a vacuum tester so I will be checking for leaks there too.

 

Interesting problem. You said at times there is blue smoke. Not always, but generally speaking, blue smoke is a sign of burning oil. Combined with the fact that it starts to miss badly about a certain speed and when extra power is required (a hill) makes me wonder if this could be broken rings and low compression on one cylinder.
What do you experts think? Could this be a possibility?

 

you are correct in reading it.
I can go out and start it right now with not a problem, it will fire right up, I can drive it around town with no miss and no blue smoke, once I try getting up to speed, say 60 mph then it starts missing, best way to describe it is a chugging, even time it chugs blue smoke will appear, after I get up to 60 mph and set the cruise I can feel a much smaller miss but no blue smoke at that point.