I have a 2006 Dodge Ram 3500 with a 5.9L Cummins engine and a 6 speed manual transmission. I got the truck over 2 years ago with 38,000 miles. On the second trip I was pulling a fairly heavy tractor up a relatively long hill. ¾ of the way up the hill I lost power and could not pull the trailer anymore. It also started to run rough and the check engine light came on. I unhooked the trailer and made it to the top of the hill and coasted down the other side. I went home to get another truck and when I came back the 3500 seemed to run good. I took it to the dealer since the engine was still under warranty but the said although there is a code, it runs good and they can’t fix something that is working fine.

Six months ago while it was warming up in the morning it sounded like it was running rough. When I got in the check engine light was on. I tried to pull off, but had no power. I left it sit for about 5-6 hours. I took the empty truck around the block and it did not have any power. It couldn’t get out of its own way. When I pulled off at the light it was sluggish, and then all of a sudden it got its power back. The check engine light went out.

On Friday I was pulling a relatively light load, when I lost power, and it started running rough, and the check engine light came on. I left it sit for 45 minutes. When I started it back up it ran great and I made it home. The next day the check engine light went out. It ran great all day. Monday the check engine light came back on and has been on ever since. The codes are P 0201, P 2609, P 2149, P 2146. Truck has 76,000 miles on it now.

I changed the fuel filter today and found a few metal shavings in the bottom of the canister.

The local dealer had their shot, not to mention they told a friend that they needed a $4000 injection pump when there was only a wire off, so that option is out. Another real good mechanic has been on vacation for the past two weeks and he is booked up and doesn’t really have time to look at it anytime soon, so my options are limited.

With the metal shavings in the fuel canister, does anyone think that is a sign the lift pump is going, or is a few metal shavings normal and any ideas on the cause of the problem?

 

This is a good sign that the lift pump is damaged and not providing the minimum amount of fuel necessary. The metal shavings are not normal, however; I would replace the lift pump and clean out the fuel tank as well. I recommend you use the Baldwin PF7977 fuel filter in the stock fuel canister housing and invest in a supplemental fuel filter/ water separator to keep the fuel clean prior to reaching the injectors. The GDP filtration products are highly regarded by many forum members. I recommend that you contact Lary at the DTR store for these products.