Hey guys,

For probably over 3 months now, it seems that my CTD has had less power and a bit poorer mpg than in the past. I have checked about everything and I'm stumped. There's no CEL, no smoke, oil level is fine, temps are fine, turbo sounds normal, and I've changed the fuel and air filters. It's not doing anything else strange other than it feels like power is down a bit and I'm getting a little less mpg. When I'm loaded and pulling, there are some hills that I used to climb effortlessly that now I can feel the truck straining to pull even at full throttle. I'm beginning to wonder if it's fuel, but I've been buying fuel from different stations. I have 75K miles on the truck and the engine is bone stock. Anything else you can think of that I should check? Would a valve adjustment help? Thanks.

 

I don't know where you are located but around here it is called winter and winter fuel. Less power.

 

I'm in southern california. Even though we don't really have a winter here, I believe we still do get some sort of winter blend fuels.

 

Maybe you need to put a load in the bed or hook to a 6K trailer and heat up the engine to burn out the carbon that builds up on the injectors and on top of the pistons.

 

Dead on! Climb a mountain pass or two with a loaded trailer and it'll probably clear everything up. Can't hurt to check all your intake hose connections either.

 

Most likely it is a winter fuel issue; however you might want to look at getting some gauges. Specifically a boost gauge and a lift pump pressure gauge. I believe you have the in-tank lift pump, which is better than what Dodge used in the past, but they can still fail. The above gauges will point out any low boost/full pressure.

Also check/replace your fuel and air filters.