Over the weekend, I was out on the highway with my 2001 Dodge w/Cummins. About 100 miles after a refuel, the truck started to bog down. I had to press harder and harder on the pedle to keep speed on small grades and shortly after, I could not maintain speed.

I figured it was a clogged fuel filter and changed it. (the filter apeared clean) It was ok for a short distance, then started to do it again. I opened the fuel bleed off and that seemed to cure it. 400 miles later it starting to bog a little, so I blead it off again. The truck ran fine the last 400 miles.

This morning, I pulled away from the driveway and within a few hundred feet she was boging down badly, I turned at the stop sign and tried to rev the engine, with no success. I turned the truck around and by the time I got to my drive way she seemed to run ok. I didn't chance it, I left it at home

Do I have water in my fuel ?
Do I blead it every time I start it?
Do I blead it running or with the engine off?
Open to Ideas, I can't be the first to have what ever is wrong.

Thanks
Doug

 

I would say it's probably not a fuel issue as your talking about a span of 100+ 400+400 miles. Unless you've got at least one aux tank to hold one large batch of bad fuel. Do you have a fuel pressure gauge installed? If not, do so as soon as you can. It'll save you tons in the long run. You can got thru alot of repairs due to low fuel pressure.

Have you checked for codes? Cycle the key 3 times without starting. Leave it on the last time. Codes wil apear in the odometer.

 

Thanks for the reply,
I haven't had any lights come on yet, IE engine or water in fuel. Do you have a listing of the codes and would this problem show up there. I have a fuel injection pressure gague for gas motors, is there the same fitting on the Cummins, or is it a 1/8 pipe thread?
Do you open the fuel bleed off valve with the engine running or stopped?

*Should I run the lift pump to pumpout any water in the bottom of the tank?

 

When you fueled up there wasn't a fuel tanker at the station was there? I have found that if I refuel right after the station has filled their tanks I end up with crud in the fuel. The only way to clean out is to drop the tank and dry it out and blow it out. If it was BAD fuel it would all be burnt by now, if water in the fuel the light would have come on and most would be gone by now. Without a fuel pressure gage after the filter it's hard to know whats going on unless you throw on a test one at the VP its an AN-4 fitting I believe.

Opening the fuel dump with the eng running robs the engine of fuel needed to cool and lube the VP, the fan would blow it all over the place as well.

 

I am thinking APPS sensor?? SOunds likd of like those symptoms.

 

Whats a APPS sensor and where is it. would it be intermittant and clear it self with a short run at wide open throttle?

 

I just checked my pressure,
out of gear at idle is about 16 PSI,
out of gear at max RPM (2000) 10 PSI

I drained about 2 tablespoons of fuel from the water seperator into a clear cup and saw no water

Eager to hear your thoughts
Doug

 

Doug,
I had the same symptoms last year. Replaced the fuel filter, it got a little better. Ultimately, though, turned out to be the lift pump going bad. This was about the same time I put an edge w/attitude on it, so I could see how the pressure started out ok at idle, but rapidly dropped under load. Do you have some way to test your pressure under load?
David

 

It sounds like I will have to find a way to test it while driving. is there a pressure port other than the test fitting? Maybe a 1/8 pipe thread fitting I can temporairly use?

What is an edge with attitude?
Where is the lift pump, do you recommend replacing with a stock pump? cost?