Great Forum...I have been following the threads and am impressed with the quality of the discussion.

I am looking at a new 2006 CTD VERY soon (GMC was a total loss)

Reliability is of utmost importance to me. Can anyone give some tips on the first things to upgrade that would improve the reliability of the CTD. I am interested in the upgraded which DO NOT compromise the warranty (although that may be another disussion with vendors claiming their products do not void warrany and DC claiming otherwise.)

Thanks in advance.

 

The Cummins is pretty darn reliable as it comes from the factory...
As far as making it MORE reliable, you'll get alot of opinions here. My vote is some type of fuel pump instead of the stock in-tank unit. Haven't heard of too many problems, BUT, with mine I would frequently see zero psi at wot. Do alot of reading here and elsewhere and you'll gain your own opinions as to what you should modify for your goals...
Welcome and goodluck...

 

I would like to know more about durability "mods" myself. Stock power is plenty.

When you hear rumours about people catching flack for just installing gauges it makes you worry.

The only thing I plan on using at this point is some Stanadyne fuel treatment.

 

The stock cummins has great power, and great reliablitly. If you want to increase these then yes I would put a better fuel pump on. However if something happens to the stocker, you are covered under warrinty (to a point) But also is a fuel filter. Stock is 10 micron I believe, however the injecter holes are much smaller. My move would be to install a 2 micron cat unit or similar filter that will filter down to that size.

That's about all you can do to make it "more" reliable. Other than air filters, exhaust all that, helps keep the temps down while towing, and more air in out for EGT reduction, there's not too much you'll do to make it more reliable than a Cummins already is

 

In my opinion, leaving the engine relatively stock will enhance the life expectancy of your engine.

However, better fuel filtration will probably cause the HPCR to live longer. Fleetguard is supposed to be coming out with a 7 micron filter, soon. I installed a Caterpillar "Advanced Efficiency" 2 micron filter on my '03 & have not noticed any problems with fuel restriction. This is a large (10-1/2" long) filter with a lot of surface area.

Fuel additives, that include Lubricity, I believe, are a GREAT idea. Some ULSD (ultra low sulphur diesel) fuel has been found to be very dry (doesn't have enough lubrication in it). Using an additive with "Injector Cleaner" in it, also, is a good idea, in my opinion. Many trucks, including mine, have developed an injector knock, after awhile. If you do not run the engine really hard, regularly, it can develop carbon build-up on the injector tips, causing the knock. Additives with an injector cleaner will help keep the tips clean, if you do not run the truck hard, regularly.

In my experience, DC will not help you out with knocking injectors. Most probably, it will be up to you to correct this issue.

Cummins engines are generally pretty easy on engine oils. Using a quality, diesel rated oil & recommended filters, along with changing the oil, when needed, should enhance the engines life expectancy. Personally, I've been using Chevron Delo-400, 15wX40 along with Fleetguard Stratopore oil filters. Lately, i've been changing it at about 8000 mile intervals with UOA's (used oil analysis). The tests come back showing the oil is still in good shape. Could probably extend the OCI's (oil change intervals). This is with some towing.

Regarding your lubrication questions, there is an excellent website devoted to these subjects called "bob is the oil guy.com"(BITOG). It's a free website but, you do have to register. You will learn a lot & will be in a much better position to decide what product is best for your application.

I chose Chev. Delo-400 after a lot of reading, on BITOG. I watched the trends on the UOA forum & the comments from users. Also, Chev. is now incorporating Moly & Boron in their chemistry. These products leave a thin, protective, film on the engines wear areas & add a second line of protection for your engine.

If you are interested in synthetics, you will learn about products that many of us have never heard of, before. For example, I'd never heard of Schaeffer's Oil Co. They are the oldest, family owned, oil company in the country. Started off making greases for wagon wheels. Schaeffer's 7000 (15X40) & 9000 (05X40) are very high quality oils. The UOA's on these oils come back as being of very high quality with a lot of durability& reasonably priced.

There is a pretty good thread on the Turbo Diesel Register.com, (3rd Gen, Engine & Transmission, Common Rail). Some of the replies may help answer some of your questions.

If you don't plan on installing a performance box (Chip) on your truck, I would not spend the money on an aftermarket air intake system. I, actually, lost a very small amount of acceleration with my AFE, ProGuard-7 System, on a stock engine. However, with performance upgrades, the more powerful the engine becomes, the more you will get out of an air intake system. If you want better breathing for your engine, I would suggest "swiss-cheesing" the stock airbox (drill holes in the bottom of the box), which, is free, just your labor. The other option is the "psmbuick.com" custom air intake system. It's not too expensive & looks like it works.

I installed a 24" Magnaflow (straight-thru) replacement muffler on my truck. If you like the quietness of your new truck, this would NOT be a good idea. It's LOUD!!!

Enhancing the airbox & a free flowing muffler will drop your exhaust gas temperatures by up to about 200 deg's., from stock. If you run guages & notice while towing that your exhaust gas temps.(EGT's) are high, the air box modification & free-flowing muffler may help drop them, a bit. On a stock truck, high EGT's "should not" be a problem.

Hope this helps.

Joe F.(Buffalo)

 

Since your worried about the warranty.

Leave it stock until 100K miles

DC will void your warranty at the drop of a hat if they see anything thay dont like. They have been knowen to void a warranty for off road lights

The Cummins is a great powerplant. You seem like the type of guy who values his warranty and realibality. So leave it stock...

 

I knew from browsing these forums over the last 2 months I would get some GREAT information on the CTD. I was not disappointed. I'll be sure to share my experiences as soon as I get my ride! Thanks again!

 

Hey Trik396,

As far as the fuel pump goes, do you mean using a FASS or Walbro system as a replacement for the stock lift pump?

Or is there another fuel pump to replace? ( I believe there is another one in addition to the lift pump)

Or does the FASS/Walbro do both pumps?

I swear I try to be thorough in my reading as possible but after looking at the FASS website, (diesel performance products) I have no idea what the FASS is supposed to replace on the Dodge CTD (lift pump or other)

 

The FASS or Wallbro would replace the stock lift pump. Those pumps would then supply your CP3 injection pump with plenty of fuel.

For maximum power........like over 600hp you would probably need an upgraded CP3.

 

TexasCTD said it right...

I happen to favor the Walbro. It's much less money than the FASS. Also I didn't really like the way the Fass setup hangs down lower than the frame and we still don't know the pump curve for it as well. Others will disagree but we're all big boys here and it's a free country. Do your homework and pick your poison...

 

Biggest thing to do for reliability is to follow the recommended maintenance schedule and use quality filters and fluids. Get under the truck on a regular basis and look for little problems before they become big. If you tow w/an auto a trans temp gauge is good to have. I'm putting in a fuel pressure gauge to make sure I don't starve my CP3.

I'd consider the lift pump upgrades... but DC told me they'd void me if I did them. Maybe later.