I took my CTD to the dealership because of cold start - rough idle and blueish white smoke. This use to happen only during cold weather starts, but lately has been doing it in warm weather. Clears up as I drive away. The dealership wants to do a injector flush for $200, saying it will fix my problem. Told them no and am wondering if there are any effective diesel fuel additives that will clean up the injectors? Thanks in advance.

 

sounds like BS...my fathers 04 smoked any time like that from brand new to 20k miles when i told him to get a ECM reflash...it worked and now it only smokes when its really cold.

i dont see where your inejctors need flushing. there are TSB's that are out for the 3rd gens the require a reflash anyway...this will solve the problem as well as complete the TSB's

 

I feel your pain with bad dealerships. Today I got the bill for the cold cab, slow warm up. All they had to do was update for the fast idle as per TSB 18-004-04, what a max of 5 minutes? Well they did it but gave me a bill for $37.45. I was told Dodge does not pay for all TSB problems. It's seen as a customer request to set up the high idle, I say Bull

 

I had the high Idle activated on my 06, the Dealer said they would just charge it to warranty work. I didn’t even by the truck from them and it only took five minutes

 

Thanks for the replies and help. I had them do the high idle "fix" and replace the fuel filter. I also added some diesel fuel treatment and things seem fine now. This dealership must be needing work because when the service tech approached my truck he recommended a tire rotation and injection flush before they even diagnosed the truck. $200 for a injection flush is a little much!

 

The high idle TSB can be charged as warranty.

 

A QUART OF AUTO MATIC TRANSMISSION FLIUD EVERY OTHER TANK FILL UP WILL CLEAN THINGS RIGHT UP. TAKE A LOOK AT THIS WEB SITE http://www.gooddiesels.com/SLUBE.HTM MAINTENANCE TIP NO.5. NANDO IS THE BEST DIESEL MECHANIC I HAVE EVER KNOWN.

 

What is the issue with high idle? When it is cold my high idle starts after the engine runs for a few minutes. It has to be fairly cold, last time it did it it was around 30F. Is that normal?

D

 

...and I'm a nobody, but I would NEVER recommend adding ATF to a fuel system on a common rail truck.

 

Atf is OLD school big rig with old style injectors.Atf has a lot of propertys that can scar and cause undo wear in modern fuel systems.

 

Yes, your truck is normal.
You can have it set up (enabled in your ECM) to allow YOU control the high idle feature. This is used for extended idling periods, or when the temp isn't quite low enough for it to kick on automatically.

The cruise control buttons are what controls it.

 

This has been pretty much done away with. The new tranny fluid is different from the old stuff. Not a good idea anymore.

 

I am not a diesel expert, but I've also heard and read that this is a no-no with modern diesels.

 

I recently read that ATF has ash, in it, which is harmful to modern day fuel injection systems.

They also said that ATF is NOT designed to burn. Why would you want a fluid in your automatic transmission that could easily burn? So, why put it in your fuel supply?

Joe F.(Buffalo)

 

It also has some Zinc and other things.In fact using ATF was discussed in the 1st Generation forum back when I owned a 1993 W250 and was frowned on back then because of the damage it could cause to injector bores.I would not even think of running it through the small internals of these new electronic injectors. It IS a lube but also has propertys for clutch lock up,fricton plates etc.It has more harsh propertys that are in it for use in a AUTO trans not a injector cleaner or a engine cleaner.Back in the OLD days it might have been the only game in town bit now there are fliuds designed just for injectors,internal engine flush etc. Requarding that Gooddiesel what ever site some of the info is old and not geared towards NEWER diesels(or our 3rd Generation trucks) and seems just in general comments.Oil changes every 3k,trans drains and refills every 10k then the differantial additive for diffs with clutch packs(ours does not have this) Take what you read on some sites with a grain of salt.