Hey guys, started having a bit of trouble with my '06 the last couple weeks. When leaving it outside in -10 weather adn starting it in the morning it will miss on one cylinder for a few minutes till it warms up. Puffs out some blue smoke. If plugged in or left in the shop there is no miss. Also, even when cold it fires right up with just a touch of the key.

A little history on the truck. It has about 375,000kms, but I imagine it has quite a few engine hours as I use it for work and it runs a lot during the day. I have had it since new. I have the quad adrenaline on it, but pretty much just use it for the guages. Pretty much never take it off the stock setting. About 100,000kms ago I put in new DDP 50hp injectors and a 2micron filter setup as well. It runs through the stock cannister which has the baldwin 5mic filter in it still, then throught the cat 2mic.

Now the other day when I started it cold I pulled out the raytec temp gun and shot the exhaust manifold and it is cyl#1 that is cold.

What are your thoughts on it. I'm thinking that because it's only doing it while cold that my compression is down on cyl #1 a bit, maybe a broken ring or something?

 

Where can a person find a adaptor to do a compression test? I'd like to make sure that low compression is the issue before I go and yank the head off.

Also where is a decent place to get parts for one of these other than cummins? Such as head gasket, rings, pistons if needed? And is there enough room under these trucks to get the pan out and just do an inframe on it, or should I yank the engine?

 

If you've got the injector out, have it tested first.

 

No, I haven't taken anything apart yet. First step, I would like to be able to do a compression test on #1 cyl, if it's good, then I know it's probably the injector.

Just trying to get a game plan going if it does look like the engine needs to be torn down.

 

the compression test kit i have, you need to remove the #1 exhaust valve bridge, injector line, tube and injector. install the adaptor, the exhaust bridge and cap the fuel rail. i think on the 06 it is about 400 psi. be careful replacing the wires if you overtighten, it leads to early failure of the crystal. i think it is 11 in lbs.

 

Where did you get your kit from?

Edit: Nevermind, I just looked at your sig. I had just glanced at it before and assumed your were from Alberta.

 

I have a boroscope that fits in the injector hole if that will help you out

 

Thanks, I appreciate it. I don't think I'll need it, but if so I'll let you know.

 

Snap-on sells an adapter to do compression test. That's were I got mine from.

 

I think easienst/cheapest thing to do would be to pull injector, have it tested. or swap it with another hole and see if the problem follows to that cylinder.

 

Test the injector first. If it's good, then inspect the bore, after that, a leak down test, followed by a compression test.

 

Well I finally got some time to tear into my truck and see what I could find.

I was able to get an adaptor for doing a compression test which came in really handy. First I swapped #1 and #2 injectors to see if that would fix the cold miss, and it didn't. I know a few of you advised to get the injector tested, but it is a five hour round trip to the closest facility that can do the test, so I wanted to avoid that if possible.

Anyway, cyl #1 compression was at 260, #2 at 300, #3 at 305.

I also did a leakdown test as well. Cyl #1 drops about twice as fast as #2 and #3, and the air is escaping into the crankcase. I didn't bother doing the rest of the cylinders cause at this point it is fairly obvious there is an issue.

So it looks like im gonna have to pull the engine and tear it down and see what the issue is.

Anyway, what is the best place in Edmonton to get parts for these engines? I am hoping that there is no damage to the cylinder walls so I can just do a quick re-ring. Depending on how the head looks I imagine I will get it gone through as well. Are there any good machine shops that do exchange service on heads for these engines? Also, for the head gasket should a person go with genuine cummins, or are there better aftermarket ones? What about rings and pistons if needed?

 

I'd personally stick to genuine oem cummins parts. They'll be a little more money being from the dealer but you know what you're getting. Cummins Western Canada is the dealer in Edmonton.

 

I second the Cummins Western Canada they are very helpful and friendly and it's easy to get to, just off the Yellowhead by 178 st.

11751 181st St.
Edmonton, Alberta
T5S 2K5

Regular Hours of Operation
Monday to Friday: 7:30 a.m. - 12:30 a.m.
Saturday: 7:30 a.m. - 4:00 p.m.
Sunday: On Call

Phone Numbers
Local: 780-455-2151
Toll Free: 800-252-7989

 

^^ Talk to David MacNeil ^^ he takes an interest in Cummins powered pickups. Most of the other guys arent interested and have less info to offer.