Hi everyone, I am new to the site and extremly new to the TCD life. I couldnt be happier with the truck or the site 8)<br>I purchased the truck on a monday and on tuesday I was on a 3000 mile round trip adventure from San Diego to Oregon pulling a 7000 gvw tongue trailer. Having never owned a diesle before getting used to driving one has been a little wierd for me. I am used to gasser engines while pulling. So, throtle or go pedal position I have noticed is very diffrent along with shift points and RPMs. While traveling I was constantly testing my TCDs pulling ability to others on the road pulling the same wieght. They seemed to keep constant RPMs and speeds where I would drop both RPMs and speed. (about 40 to 45 mph, 6 to 8 percent grade,1600-1900 RPMs)<br>While at these speeds I would try going WOT, no MPH change only slight RPM increase, at this point OD manualy off. Ok so am I just a chicken and shouldn't be afraid to down shift out of OD and send the go pedal to the floor with RPMs at 2500-3000!!!!! :-[!!!!! any thoughts or advice on driving habits or possible problems with engine/components would really help.<br>Thanks to anyone who can get me pointed in the right direction. Oh yah 98 12 valve auto 4x4 bone stock as far as I know. SPARKY

 

WELCOME to the site. You will love it!

Well, sounds to me that something is wrong. Which gears do you have?

With a 7000# trailer, you should walk those hills.

 

Hi Smokey, Yes this site by far is turning out to be fantastic!<br>I believe the gears are 355's. The truck has 93,000 on it and not sure what has been done to it as far as filters and adjustments. 70mph at 1900-2000rpms. thanks Sparky

 

Welcome to the site, Sparky!<br>You can do a search on a couple of things related to high performance. Since you have the 12v, the biggest thing to look out for is the KDP (Killer Dowel Pin) in your engine. CLICK HERE FOR INFO. There are lots of folks here who can help with the job, many live in the San Diego area. <br>Once the KDP has been arrested, if you want to go nuts/broke, you've come to the right place! You can soup up your diesel to insane amounts of HP, or just tune it for a little extra umph to get over those grades easier.<br>Jump on in and feel free to ask questions. There's a wealth of knowledge here!

 

Hello Whiff, yes I am very concerned with the KDP, because of the tranny issues/insane price to rebuild 12v, went ahead and purchaced an extended warranty on the entire drivetrain.<br>I would like to add vac/boost, pyro, tranny temp gauges, slide stock plate forward, afc/starwheel mod and 4 inch straight pipe all the way back. But first I would really like to make sure the stock 12v is running properly. Can anyone tell me what to check or adjust/replace giving the milage and not having any service records on the rig? Would a fuel injectore cleaner help/brand name/where to purchase? Does anyone now a respectful diesle mechanic in SD who might be able to do a once over to check for possible problems? Sorry for all the ? but would really like to start figuring this out. Thanks to anyone who can help me get started or to the bottom of this.<br>Sparky

 

Howdy Sparkys,<br> With only 40-45 mph and 7000#, I agree, sumthins wrong. I had just over 4000# in the bed if few weeks back, A/C blasting out snow *****, and pulled some good long hills down here at 70 mph and never had to come near nailing the pedal to the floor. What kind of EGT and boost pressure did you see? Don't be afraid to nail it while in 3rd with O.D. off, I have and it'll get to a point and peter out (gov.), but it should pull the moderate hills ( not pikes peak) in O.D at 70-75 with no problem, just watch the EGT's and don't melt your turbo.

 

Unfortunately, I don't know of a good diesel mechanic in SD. Haven't lived there for about 14 years. As far as sliding the stock plate forward, I'd consider doing a plate swap, if you're looking for more power. I slid mine forward and it's just not what I thought it would be. A little more power, and a LOT more smoke!<br>As far as servicing your truck, I'd start with new fluids throughout, just to make sure. Lots of opinions on what's the best to put in a diesel. If you're interested, do a quick search of the site. It seems most enthusiasts prefer AMSOil.<br>As far as the rest, you might want to check lift pump pressure, and maybe even look to see if the timing has slipped. Should be around 13* stock, if I'm not mistaken. Many folks around here say bumping it up (to say 15 or 16) does wonders for your mileage. This is all something a qualified Cummins mechanic should be able to take care of.<br><br>Happy hunting!

 

Welcome to the forum Sparkey. Yep, you'll love the site and the more you drive your CTD the more you'll love it.<br><br>Should be no trouble pulling long hard grades and as you have no mods. I assume no pyro or boost guages. Not to worry...with no mods. you'll not have heating (turbo) or boost problems. Don't be afraid to put your foot in it. You won't hurt it as long as you stay below the red line. When pulling a hill, kick it out of OD as soon as you begin to lose speed.<br><br>I would check air cleaner, timing, and plate. Clean the IAT. Even though the 12 valve does not have the fuel pump problems of the 24v I'd still check the fuel pressure.<br><br>As has been said Amsoil is the most prevalent lubrication in use. I have it front and rear and will soon be putting it in the crankcase. No one has answered your question about &quot;fuel injector cleaner&quot;. There are many opinions about fuel additives and the most popular seems to be Power Service. I add Power Service at every fill up. It has been around a long time and has proven itself (IMHO). It can be purchased at nearly any parts (NAPA, Shucks, etc.) and at Walmart.<br><br>Keep us updated as to what you do to the truck and what the results are. Everybody on here has had questions at one time or the other and will have again. What you learn may be a big help to someone else down the line.<br><br>Happy Trucking,<br><br>Stan

 

Greatings PumpDaddy/BearFoot2. Thanks guys I am getting ready to dive in and fix my low idle problem today, all of the advice is great, What is the IAT where is it, how do I clean. I have been trying to find part#s and locations to buy popular oil/fuel filters, no luck so far. any info would be great, also how do you bleed/prime fuel system after changing filter. Thanks again for the help. Sparky

 

Hi Again:
On your 12v, I do not think that you have an IAT. Buy the filters from a Cummins dealer...almost any large truck shop. The brand name is Fleetguard. Do NOT get Fram filters.

When you change the filter, fill the new filter with clean fuel. Loosen the bleed screw on top of the filter (I think on a '98), and then push the little rubber plunger on the side of the pump about 2 million times until the fuel flows freely.
Attempt to start. NEVER run the starter for more than 30 sec, and let it cool down. IF the truck doesn't start, you may have to loosen the line to an injector...one that is easy to reach, and try starting again. BE CAREFUL of high pressure spray.

When the truck starts, tighten the injector line.

Sounds hard, but isn't. Removing the old filter is the hard part. Undo the water-in-fuel wire first to allow the filter to turn. A strap wrench will work on the filter. I some times have to &quot;persuade&quot; the filter with a long dull screw driver on the top bead to loosen it.

good luck.
Someone here will correct anything that I have said.
george

 

wonderful fixed low idle problem, no more stalling and seems to run a little smoother. Thanks Smokey for the filtration advice, looked at fleetguards web site and came up with #s<br>air filter AF-25090<br>fuel/water filter FS-19598<br>oil filter, anyone know, not on ther site?<br>The # on truck now is 5016547-AC.<br>Being new and all, I thought only water was supposed to come out when you open the water drain valve : left a nice 3ftx3ft stain. (In front of grummpy neighbors house :-X)<br>Thanks again for all your help, good laughts on me. Sparky<br>

 

IAT's were put on all model year Dodge CTD. On the first gens, the IAT served its purpose as the signal for the grid heater and the KSB cold start timing advance system. As far as I know, the only purpose it serves on the 2nd gen 12 valve is for the grid heaters.

 

Hey Sparkeys, be carefull with the diesel on asphalt, it's great for removing speed bumps, , Diesel has a funny way of eating up asphalt, or lossening speed bumps so CTD's don't jump so bad going down the road.