Replaced Fuel Control Actuator (FCA) at 58,000 mi

[Motorhead]

My '07, 5. 9 has run well. The one thing that I noticed starting a year ago was "pinging" while towing at light-mid throttle. I occasionally had what I perceived as a rough idle but not like a bad injector. I bought the Cummins supplied Bosch FCA and installed it this morning. First, it was a piece of cake to change out. Just made sure the CP3 was clean around the FCA. Used a #25 TORX BIT AND REMOVED THE THREE SCREWS THAT HELD IT IN. (sorry for the caps) I could hear a sucking sound with the FCA out and worried that I was going to lose the fuel prime.
Once installed, the engine started just like always. Idle is smooth and the overall engine "diesel" noise sounds more smooth. Going on another trip next week towing and will report back. Part was $136. 00 out the door.

 

[Prairie Dog]

Sometimes my truck will idle a bit high, maybe 800~900 RPM's for no apparent reason (80K miles). I'm thinking about changing the FCA out to see if that stops (I already have a spare) or reduces the diesel clatter at all.
I'll be interested to hear if you think it changed the sound of your truck during your trip.

 

[JJPage]

Be sure to keep the old one for a spare... I now have 2 under my back seat, changing parts out gets expensive.
All three of my FCA's are good, and all three make my motor behave differently.

 

[Prairie Dog]

That's interesting JJPage, Do any of them make the idle noisier? What are some of the other differences you've observed?

 

[JJPage]

Two of them are stock Bosch components, the other is a Wicked Diesel product, produced from a factory Bosch FCA. I actually had to have the first Wicked FCA replaced because of surging immediately after installing it.

The idle rpm is lower(600rpm) with the modified FCA, I believe it's because of the depth placement of the round retaining cap on the end that's inserted into the CP3, affects spring tension on the actuator piston. Fuel economy is also affected, my original FCA still provides the best mileage, even though the replacement has the same part number and looks identical, other than the identifying scratch I placed on it. Rail pressure, as it correlates through the rpm band is also affected, and once again the original FCA maintains higher rail pressure throughout, I believe because it is demanding less fuel and taxing the CP3 less. The wicked FCA, along with the rest of their Arson III kit, resulted in pushing me over the 600hp mark.

I replaced the FCA because of intermittent problems with surging idle(rail pressure fluctuating) and while cruising on the interstate. The change out of FCA's would seem to help for a time, then the problem would persist, I also had shuttle shifting occurring at the same time. Cerb and several members were helping me through the trouble shooting and I was thankful for their help. I had purchased several new sensors including a new APPS from Timbo, The APPS solved the problem, been about two years now and no more issues.

I also now believe the original FCA Wicked sent me was probably just fine, but Shane replaced anyway, no problem.

I was not throwing any codes, and had symptoms that were pointing at several support components/sensors, that's why I stated "changing parts out gets expensive", and to be sure and hang on the the replaced FCA. Sorry for rambling... Jess

 

[Motorhead]

Well I drove it today for a while and it will still ping at interim throttle. One thing I noticed when on my big trip last month was I quickly opened the fuel filter drain with the engine running and I got a lot of foam in the fuel. I have read up a little on the Air Dog units and that is my next mod.
THE TRUCK DOES RUN SMOOTHER NOW.

 

[cerberusiam]

Yeah, now go out hook a load to it and drive the snot out of it for 1000 miles. The pinging may still be carbon build up that needs to be cleaned. Mine is terrible cold at low throttle opening. It will quiet way down when I work it hard.

 

[Motorhead]

Yeah, now go out hook a load to it and drive the snot out of it for 1000 miles. The pinging may still be carbon build up that needs to be cleaned. Mine is terrible cold at low throttle opening. It will quiet way down when I work it hard.

Well, Ill see as I am going up to Lake Tahoe and it is about 100 miles uphill from Sacto. It pinged on my 4700 mile trip to South Dakota and back and I was towing 7000lbs. Through wyoming I was towing at 70-75mph... ... No carbon build up there

 

[cerberusiam]

I was towing 700lbs. Through wyoming I was towing at 70-75mph... ... No carbon build up there

700 or 7000 lbs? 700 is not even close to a load, that groceries. 7000 is better but still not a good heavy load. If its a high profile wind catching trailer then its better, a car trailer and car is still not a heavy load that will work the engine good.

 

[Motorhead]

700 or 7000 lbs? 700 is not even close to a load, that groceries. 7000 is better but still not a good heavy load. If its a high profile wind catching trailer then its better, a car trailer and car is still not a heavy load that will work the engine good.

Yeah... . ... ... 7000 pound travel trailer. LOTS of head winds coming back through Wyoming.