Need some help. I have a 2001 Dodge diesel 2500. Here the last week or so the truck has been getting harder to start. Usually it fires up as soon as I turn the key, now it cranks for a little bit before it fires up. Also at times when I get on the gas the truck barely goes anywhere the rpms go up but barely going anywhere, then all of a sudden it takes off. I replaced the lift pump about a year ago. I almost forgot motor has 198000 miles on it. Was recommended that I check fuel pressure. Took it to the dealer today and got fuel pressure checked. They said fuel pressure was good, but the pressure on the turbo was low. They are saying my problem is the turbo not the fuel pumps. If I understood them correctly they are saying my hard starting is due to the fuel not being burnt all the way due to the turbo not working correctly. Does this sound like they are on the right track? Any help would be apprciated.

Thanks,

Brian

 

Any smoke when it does start?

 

I am pretty sure it does. I'll double check again this morning.

 

Could be the boost pressure sending unit, the conditions you are describing sound similar to how mine acted when the boost pressure sending unit went out.

 

I believe the turbo doesn't have anything to do with it starting. Did they tell you what your fuel psi was? Check your fuel filter sounds like dirty fuel filter, or you have a air leak in the fuel system letting the fuel bleed down there for it would be harder to start.

 

What transmissions do you have it sounds like something is slipping if the rpms go up but the truck does not move. If an auto check your fluid level.

 

Do they have to take the turbo off to find out if the sending unit is bad? Thats the next step they want to do is pull the turbo off and I guess check the internals.

 

I am starting to think I have two problems. No they didn't tell me what my fuel pressure is. The current fuel filter has about 5000 miles on it. I will try and change it today. If that doesn't fix it how do you find an air leak in the fuel system?

Thanks

 

I have the automatic transmission. When I say the rpms are going up the truck is shifting through the gears it just doesn't have any power.

Thanks

 

The turbo will not affect starting. The turbo is not moving any air when its cranking, as there is not enough exhaust to drive it.

No need to remove the turbo to 'inspect' it. Giving it a free spin and feeling the axial and radial clearance by moving the shaft is all the checks you can really do without disassembling it, and you never hear of dealerships disassembling anything, just replacing parts.

 

Yes I agree with everyone about the turbo and starting. I just changed the fuel filter and it still didn't help the starting.

As far as checking the turbo, the dodge dealer told me they want to pull the turbo apart to see if the spring broke or something else is wrong. Is there even a spring in there?

I did notice one thing (excuse the ignorance) In the past when I turn my key and wait for the wait to start light to go off I hear something running. I noticed today that I did not hear that. Could that be a problem?


thanks for all the help It's ashame I can't trust the dealers diagnostic.

 

Did they check for any codes and if so what were they.

 

No they didn't check for any codes.

 

I would have them check it sounds like what my 01 did when my vp44 went out. When mine went out it had code p0216 it still ran just real low on power. I would check for codes and find out if you can what your fuel psi is because that will cause that same code and low psi will cause low power.

 

It's all to common and a lot of people get taken for money that they did not need to spend

Maybe someone on here in your area could recommend a diesel shop for some help. I would drive several hours but not days to lend a hand.