8 months ago we went on a trip to KY, OH, NC. We took I-75 from knoxville to cincinnati. we were pulling our 27ft, 6000 lbs travel trailer. While climbing the 7-9% grades at 60 mph the engine began to run very rough. There was loud rumpling, and vibration through the truck cab. Could not talk in a normal voice to the wife. Did Not loose power. At the top of these hills this vibration would go away as the fuel was reduced to maintain speed. The truck did not do this an all the steeper grades. Only the longer ones. Ever since then the truck has had a slightly rough idle that can be felt in the steering wheel and a rumbling between 55-65 mph. (1600-1800 rpm) while pulling the trailer. Some friends said that is the "manly" sound of a diesel. When the truck vibrates to the point you cant talk in normal voice, B***S**t. No engine check light. No codes have shown up. Took to the dealer and they found nothing. Took the same route last Nov. and had the same problem on 2 of the longer steeper hills. No warning lights and no codes again. Dealer can find nothing. I feel this needs to be fixed. We want to go to Colorado, Idaho, and Alaska this summer but dont want trouble out there. After 4-5 hours of driving we both have headaches from the vibration and rumbling. Truck has 17000 miles on it now so is still in full warranty. I drove 18 wheelers and box delivery trucks for 4 years. First diesel i have owned. Luv the truck, but it is sick and dealer cant find what is wrong.
Any suggestions? Thanks Grampa

 

It sounds like you may have an injector dropping off. Maybe try another dealer?



Tim

 

Sounds like you have an exhaust drone. It'll make your ears ring.

 

sounds like injectors to me....

 

I hope your using a Fleetguard Stratapore 7 micron fuel filters and have changed it out every 7K as if its running ruff it could be injector(s) and the other sounds like you may have an exhaust drone problem.

 

The original fuel filter was replaced at 15,000 miles per the owners manual with a Mopar filter. The truck has 17,000 miles on it.
DBLR what is the big deal about the filter you mentioned. I worked 2 years as an 18 wheeler driver and the co. I worked for bought the least expensive filters, belts, hoses, they could find and I never had a problem related to consumables. I do remember seeing the Fleetguard brand on some of the stuff they used. This company had 1200 tractors and 1800 trailers. They were very insistent concerning preventive maintenance. Even fining drivers who let their vehicles go over maintenance intervals. Which is besides the point of my post.:-) Sorry.
The consensus seems to be injectors. So now what do I do to fix the problem?
How do I get rid of the exhaust drone? It did not exist until the "missing" problem.
Whatever I do I don't want to compromise the trucks warranty.
Thanks for your prompt replies.

 

Grampa, these new injectors are very finicky about clean, dry fuel. Much more so than engines even a few years older. Sometimes my truck runs a little different when I change fuel sources. Have you drained your fuel filter housing to check for water yet? I would start there. Drain about 1/2 pint of fuel out of the fuel filter housing into a clear glass jar, and look at the bottom of the jar to see if you have any water in the bottom. If you find some, I would drain it a few more times until it is water free.