Thought I would pop a note to say hi and Thanks for letting me be a "lurker" for the past few months. Yesterday I took delivery of my first diesel. It is a 2002 Quad cab, short bed, automatic, 2 wheel drive. With the help of this site I was able to narrow down my truck choices and find exactly what I wanted. I am a loyal Mopar owner (addition of this truck ups my vehicle total to 8) so no other brands were considered. I got the truck from the original owner who took very good care of it and made the edge EZ upgrade as well as a KN filter. New pumps within the past 6 months as well as brakes, rotors, batteries. Duties will include daily use as well as hauling around cars. There are some cosmetic mods that are not to my taste but nothing that a few hours couldn't take care of. The previous owner said that he used a quart of automatic transmission fluid in the fuel tank every 2nd or 3rd fill up as a conditioner. Can anyone shed some light on that for me and should I continue to do that?

 

First off, congrats on the truck and welcome to DTR!

The ATF in the fuel is old school... I use Power Service pretty much every tank, I know it's not the best, but it's readily avillable. Many on here use various additives, some even use used motor oil (black diesel) Extra lubricity for the VP-44 is my concern.

I won't run a K&N on a turbo diesel, I found dust in my turbo on my last truck, with a properly oiled and installed K&N. The turbo just sucks to much air IMHO.

 

Welcome to the board & congrats on your purchase. I wouldn't use atf in the fuel tank. I've heard that it has some additives in it that are not compatable with the injection pump. There are alot of good additives out there that will help keep the pump lubed & injectors clean. I have been useing power Service in both my trucks for years. Some use Howes, Staydyne & a few other additives I can't think of now.

 

don't put atf in your fuel...clean diesel fuel is all u need

 

I agree with the concensus, If you're going to use anything us Power Service or something like that. There are many products out there that are proven and are made specifically for that purpose. Just my 2 cents.

 

Welcome to DTR!!!


As for air filters... Go get a BHAF or a Scotty ][ system...



DON'T USE ATF! As for fuel conditioner... Really common in Wal-Mart... about $11.00

 

Ok I'll just say no to the ATF. Good input. I am not a fan of the K&N's anyhow, so it is on the "to go away" list. I have seen the list of BHAF on the site but is there one that will fit without further modifications? I have to get some servicing done before any changes so it will be off to the tranny shop, differential service, and fluids before anything else. So far I am very pleased with the truck it has awsome power, good fuel mileage, good looks.

 

BHAF... No modification needed... Just remove the air box by pulling straight up. Then use the hose and clamp right on to the BHAF...

Part number for BHAF...
https://www.dieseltruckresource.com/...n&onlynewfaq=1

While your at it... Pull that lil' ring out of the turbo... Not needed...

 

I dont htink putting ATF in your system is going to cause you any problems but I will agree with the other posts and say run some Power Service instead.

If you have some ATF sitting around you can go ahead a dump it in just to burn it up but dont count on it for cleaning anything. And as displacedtexan pointed out you can dump in your old engine oil as well, just make sure it doesnt have any contaminates (sp) in it (read large chunks or water) and no syn type oils just dino based.


dan

 

As long as your parts on your truck are going MIA like the silencer ring and the stock airbox you might as well encourage the other end of the system too by making that muffler go MIA too. The truck will spool up a little better but best of all it'll sound like a semi! You might want to leave the resonator on to keep the drone in the cab down. I also suggest powerservice as an additive. I'm a little iffy on using trans fluid. I also suggest gauges...Boost Pyro and Fuel Pressure. I got all mine through a local auto parts supplier reletively cheap, they are all autometer z-series gauges in the triple pod pillar. Good luck with your 2002 and have fun!!!!!!!!!
matt

 

Blue3quarter your right...

If your going to start you might as well finish it too... As for the straight piping... I pulled the entire muffler / resinator out and have ZERO drone with the stock tail pipe. I can hear the turbo whine louder than the exhaust note. It not so loud that it annoying just noticeable. You can talk over it easily...

One last BOMB to do is BREATHER BOTTLE... Check my gallery for a re-designed system for about 7-10 bucks.

 

If you stay down in AZ where its warm, then any good conditioner will do, as others have already suggested. But if you venture to colder climes, then consider Stanadyne's product, as it is top rated in lubricity , which is what that pump needs if it is getting a diet of low-sulfer, #1 diesel fuel.

 

been using lucas fuel treatment in our 3000k gal. tanks for two years and not one fuel pump issues.

3 semis
8 farm tractors
2 dozers
2 graters
3 12 valves
6 24 valvers
3 thermoking units ( running 24/7 )
1 dt444 ( p.o.s. !! ) international

i was told by peirs diesel to NEVER run atf, and i have a 12v'er

 

Welcome to the site ,
Your Dodge/Cummins has fuel milage and power capabilities far beyond a basic gasser but it isn't gas-n-go like a gasser either...it's a bit involved but not difficult to manage.
Obtain a repair manual at your favorite auto parts store so you can get up quick on your truck. You also need gauges to get info from your truck but more on that later..
Your 24 valver has a Lift Pump that takes fuel from the fuel tank and delivers it to your Injector Pump(VP44). This VP44 is the weak link and because it's so expensive, it deserves extra consideration. For years the guys here have been trying different things to get the VP44 to live and through basic R&D, they've discovered a few things that help most and are running up the miles.
Fuel lubes and cools the VP44 and we watch that with the Lift Pump fuel pressure. We generally like to see 13-15psi idle, 12-13psi cruising hwy speed and no less the 5-7 psi at wide open throttle(WOT). A fuel pressure gauge kit installed in the cab, connected by pressure line to the fitting on the side of the injector pump will get you lift pump fuel pressure to watch. Mine is in My Gallery.
Diesel fuel has very little if any lubricating abilities so fuel treatments like Power Service, Howes, Lucas and Stanadyne add lubrication to the fuel. I use the MFG's recommend on dosages. ATF has abrasives to clean the transmission clutch packs and the injector pump has no clutches that need cleaning.
There is fuel returned to the fuel tank from the fuel system and because some of it comes from a passage in the cylinder head of the motor, it's hot. This is fine in the winter because diesel fuel can gel in very cold temperatures BUT in the summer, it can get hot enough that it won't cool electrical components in the VP44. Most folks are keeping their fuel tank 1/2 full or better. We're currently looking for an end all fuel cooler that does not restrict flow or pressure.
Many folks have found that they had no lift pump pressure after they install a gauge or change the fuel filter so be ready for that.
Type "lift pump" in the search box for lots of info.

 

Clunk; thanks for the valuable information. Gauges are definately on the list of things "to do" to keep tabs on the fuel pressure. The VP44 and lift pump were recently replaced (truck has 82k) but I would not like to have to do that job anytime soon. Why would some people show no pressure after installing the gauges?? I have had several Dodge trucks (dakotas both V6 and v8 but this is my first diesel and I think I am hooked after the first week of ownership. Mileage and power were very good selling points. Thanks for the beginner course and I appreciate the input. I am here for the knowledge so thanks for sharing.