My brother just bought an '03 Common Rail with a little over 100K miles. What are some common problems we should be aware of?

Thanks

 

Lift pump if it hasn't been replaced already.

MikeyB

 

If you plan on putting anything on it (edge ez, tst r49, etc..) that will increase rail pressure, get a rail pressure gague and keep an eye on it, increased rail pressure has been know to crack injectors and tips (i learned the hard way). Also, get a fuel pressure gague that will read supply pressure to the CP3, on the 03's the lift pump is on the back of the fuel filter canister and is very prone to fail. I went through 3, save yourself the headache and put a fass or airdog on and never worry about it again. Just my .02

 

thats most of it. good info.

 

There was a thread on here somewhere about a guy that hauled horses and nitrogen tanks for studs. He had owned several CTD and racked the miles up. He thought the 03 was the best one he ever had, never did anything but maintenance. I believe I would replace lift pump with something better and not get stranded and be out a bunch of money. I don't know which models, but if lift pump goes out it trashes the IP = BIG$$$$$. I would like to have an 03.

 

If the lift pump goes out on an '03 it won't hurt the IP. It just stops running till you fix the LP.

 

I forgot to mention it has a couple of mods already.

A full billet tranny, a FASS, 62/71/13 HTT Turbo, new intercooler, and a Bank$ "Powerpup" on tow/haul mode. There may be a couple other things.

It is by far the smoothest truck I have ever ridden in (it's a 2wd) and has inpired me to but a bult lock up tranny in my truck.

Thanks for all the information, I will see if I can get a few pics up for you guys. I'm liking the Common Rails so far.

 

03s are awesome. Im back in the 03 since my 07 is in the shop waiting to get the trans back from HTS. Miss shifting. Hardly smokes with the same Smarty TNT programming that absolutely blacks out an intersection in the 07. I havent calculated it yet, but it gets significantly better fuel mileage also. After 98 miles on a tank, the needle was barely of the stop. Same mileage on my 07 would be sitting right around the 3/4 mark.

Lift pumps taken care of. Only other thing that hasnt been mentioned is the driveline bind. I think this was pretty common on the early trucks. Got mine replaced under warranty, no questions asked.

 

injectors like to go out espicially if chipped, keep the fuel filter changed, lp and injectors where the major problems on my 03