Cummins Diesel Question

[Goobs]

Dear Board,

I just registered and I hope you guys can help me out.

I have a problem with my 2000 Ram 2500 quad-cab with the HO Cummins and a 6 speed. The truck has 125,000 miles on it and it has been trouble free to this point. The engine is unmodified.

When accelerating through the gears the engine occasionally stumbles around 2200 rpms or so. This happens most often when going from 2nd to 3rd and sometimes when going from 3rd to 4th. I haven't noticed if it does it in higher gears because I generally shift up at about 2000 from 4th gear on. It's not a violent stumble, but it is definitely noticable on the tach, from the exhaust sound, and from the seat of my pants.

It is worse when it is cold and much worse when climbing a hill. I have recently begun driving the truck longer distances after having spent the last few months just driving it back and forth to work 8 miles one way.

I'd like to have some ideas as to what might be causing the problem before I do serious damage. My knowledge seems to begin and end at the fuel filter so I'll be changing that this weekend.

Any other ideas would be appreciated.

Regards,
Goobs

[fredjacksonsan]

That's an odd problem. If you rev it up in neutral (not moving) does it stumble then also? Does it throw any codes from the OBD?

[Goobs]

Originally Posted by fredjacksonsan

That's an odd problem. If you rev it up in neutral (not moving) does it stumble then also? Does it throw any codes from the OBD?

Dear Fred,

I just tried it under no load an the first time I did it the engine skipped at 2150 rpm. I tried it two more times and took it up to 2400 rpm with no further problems.

If I cycle the ignition on and off a couple of times the following code appears in the odometer display - P dONE.

Any idea what this means?

Regards,
Tim Murphy

[fredjacksonsan]

Originally Posted by Goobs

Dear Fred,

I just tried it under no load an the first time I did it the engine skipped at 2150 rpm. I tried it two more times and took it up to 2400 rpm with no further problems.

If I cycle the ignition on and off a couple of times the following code appears in the odometer display - P dONE.

Any idea what this means?

Regards,
Tim Murphy

Ok, so first -- it seems to be an intermittent problem since did it on the 1st try and not the 2nd or 3rd. Second, no codes ("done" with no numbers) so it's not a computer problem.

When you take it up, do you have the throttle in the same spot? I'm thinking the TPS (throttle position sensor) may have a worn/dead spot that acts up.

[Goobs]

Originally Posted by fredjacksonsan

Ok, so first -- it seems to be an intermittent problem since did it on the 1st try and not the 2nd or 3rd. Second, no codes ("done" with no numbers) so it's not a computer problem.

When you take it up, do you have the throttle in the same spot? I'm thinking the TPS (throttle position sensor) may have a worn/dead spot that acts up.

Dear Fred,

Well it's good to know it's not a computer problem.

I really haven't paid much attention to where my foot is on the throttle and how hard I am depressing it. I'll try it again tomorrow, and see if I can't pay more attention.

Is the TPS located on the throttle pedal linkage in plain view where it can be checked for a good connection or damage, or is it some kind of read by wire system?

In the event of a problem with the TPS do you have any idea how much it costs to replace it? I read some horror stories on another message board about how expensive it was to diagnose a similar problem on another guy's truck. It cost more to fix his present engine than it would have cost for a warrantied running take-out engine. I can't afford to get into thousands of dollars.

I'm still hoping it's just a fuel filter.

Thanks for your help so far.

Regards,
Goobs

[fredjacksonsan]

Goobs, you're welcome. I'm not sure, so check with your friendly Dodge mechanic to get the tps location. I've had good luck going into dealer repair shops to ask general questions; if you find the right guy they're usually pretty friendly about telling you stuff, too.

Also, you may want to check out this site:

http://dodgeram.org/tech/dsl/trouble...2v_trouble.htm

They will probably be of some help.

[Goobs]

Dear Fred,

Replacing the fuel filter fixed the problem.

I just never had a fuel filter go that bad that quickly before. It only had about 15,000 miles on it, but it definitely needed replaced.

The truck runs fine now.

Regards,
Goobs

[fredjacksonsan]

Hey Goobs--

Cool! Must have gotten some nasty stuff in there. Glad it was the simple and cheap fix! Did you cut the filter open to see what was causing the problem?

Interesting and makes sense in a way, there wasn't enough fuel flow to cause the constriction until 2200 rpm or so...

Talk to ya

Fred

[Goobs]

Dear Fred,

I think the biggest problem was condensation/jelling. Since July I only filled the truck 2 times. I wasn't driving the truck much so I always just put $ 15.00 or $ 20.00 worth of fuel in it a couple of times a month.

We have had several mornings in the low 20's lately, and think the fuel was jelling a bit. Hopefully I'll be able to get blended fuel soon, and I'll fill and drain the tank more often too.

Regards,
Goobs

[fredjacksonsan]

Sounds like some fuel treatment is in order....the water/ice will gum up your filter if I recall what (little) I know about diesel fuel.

I wish I could only have to fill up twice since July!! I've got the 26 gallon tank and fill up at least twice a month.

[vanillaice124]

if i were you, i would just straight flat out sell the thing. the most reliable diesel truck would be the ford powerstroke. i have one, (plus a 2005 nissan quest), my brother's had one, mine is a 2002, with 189,000 miles on it, ( i have to haul shit everywhere i go), and that thing has only given me two problems, the water pump and the fuel pump. my brothers is a 2000, with 101,149 miles and has ABSOLUTLY NO PROBLEMS, i repeat, NO problems what-so-ever with it. i also would not recomend a honda or toyota for anything. The F-350 powerstroke may have less power, but are damn reliable!

[mas1169]

The powerjokes are good for their quickness off the line and the durajunks are quieter but if you want reliability you will go with a Cummins. I have a 1997 Ram 3500 CTD and I haul expedited freight all over the midwest. I just turned 500K. Have not touched the engine except for routine preventive maintenance. Had to put a new automatic tranny in at 447K. Still runs like new. The 7.3 strokes were much better than the current 6.0. My buddy has an 04 F-450 6.0 and it has been in the shop more than it has been out and he only puts about 10K a year on his trucks.

[arlo_price]

95 CTD 227K; routine filter changes, NEVER a problem; starts itself if it thinks I wanna' go. The only engine that should be in a P/U, that's why ferd has them in their medium-duty rigs now and why they'll have them for their p/u's in 08 when the mopar 20 yr exclusivity contract expires

I'd rather be Cummin than 'strokin'

[hopkinjd]

94' 2500 269,000 Runs great.