got a 2005 cummins that has been giving me occasional grief lately. the latest is black smoke that was never there before and kinda missing at idle. I didn't get 5 km down the road before i had to turn back to camp because i thought something was going break or blow judging from the racket that was coming from under the hood.

i let it sit for the night and changed the fuel filter today.

the only mod i have on it is a Volant cold air intake. going to check the air filter

any other ideas out there as to what it might be and how much damage i'm going to do trying to get it out of the bush. (we still have 4 feet of snow up here

 

are there any codes or check engine lights? turn the key on(until the idiots lights come on, not to start) and off 3 times and leave it on. the odometer will display codes starting with a p and 4 numbers, example P0191. if no codes, it will say DONE.

1st to check is sensor connectors, especially the fuel pressure and map sensor. both located on drivers side of the motor. just ensure they are seated completely.


check your oil level, hopefully it isnt overfull. if it is, dont drive it, that means that an injector is stuck, and dumping fuel into a cylinder, which washes off the oil, the fuel then goes into the crankcase diluting the lube oil.

 

no there are no codes, i did the key thing and it came back with the "done" message. that's another thing that bugs me, it hasn't spit a code or light even when abnormal things are happening.

i'll check the sensor connections you suggested.

i didn't overfill the oil at the last change, but are you telling me it will show overfull on the dipstick now if there is a problem?

 

good on the codes.

if it is NOW overfilled, see the above post and explaination for the high level.

 

connectors are snug and the oil looks and smells good (that's saved me a $800.00 towing bill)

now someone at camp has got to have phillips screwdriver so i can check my air filter (180 piece tool kit with me and no phillips, arrrg!)

thanks for your prompt replies

 

Possibly bad fuel.....

 

well that wasn't it either

 

well what was it?