FCA or Injectors?

[Dodgeramking]

I’m not new to the Cummins , just the 3rd gen. I had a 96 12 valve for 20 years and 450,000 miles.

This problem has probably been addressed before but I’ll put it out there again. I have a bone stock 2003 with 190,000 miles that I bought from a friend . Very well maintained. I’ve had it about 6 months. I believe it’s the original injectors. So here’s my situation, before I bite and spend $4k for injectors I want to make sure it’s not something simpler . I have determined it’s not the lift pump. These problems happen intermittently It might go 2 or 3 weeks and then it happens again. I’m in California and its warm here so it’s not fuel jelling . No smoke and it doesn’t miss. I do not have gauges . And no check engine light comes on. Batteries are good

Thanks for any input


Symptoms: start truck in morning. Warm up for about 2 minuets, engine dies. Crank for 10-15 seconds won’t start. Do this 3 more times engine starts . Drive 50 miles to work and runs perfect.

Drive home. Starts perfectly. 20 or so miles out when I deceleration in traffic to slow down I feel it start to shake slightly. Engine dies. Come to stop. Put it in neutral. Crank engine as before . It will usually start up after cranking 3 times .drives normally the rest of the way.

 

[Bob4x4]

Oem lift pump still?

 

[Dodgeramking]

Oem lift pump still?

I put a Cheap Carter on the frame temporarily. I know it’s pumping because I did a fill test. I also added an Air Dog to replace the Carter. It’s mounted but not plumbed yet .

 

[TConver]

easy test for FCA, just unplug it when it is running for a few seconds. It should go max pressure and sound like an old john deere diesel, rattling like hell.

 

[Dodgeramking]

easy test for FCA, just unplug it when it is running for a few seconds. It should go max pressure and sound like an old john deere diesel, rattling like hell.

I actually did that some time ago and there was no change in the sound of the engine

 

[Freebore]

I actually did that some time ago and there was no change in the sound of the engine

Appears that an FVA might be in order. It completely resolved strange start problems I was experiencing.

 

[Killer223]

injectors is not 4 grand, more like 2100-2300. if you install your self.
if you want to diagnose it correctly, there is a return flow test for the injectors. you'll need to complete these to get a real idea of that to do next.

 

[Tuesdak]

Example from my 2003 I did last month: Stage 0.5 or 1 NEW BBi's $3420.00 ($3048.00 BBi Reman), Feed Tubes 300.00, Labor ~$600.00. Total ~$4320.00. And that doesn't include other things you can do while you are have the fuel lines out of the way like GDP Air Boss and the $ for the better filtration lift pump is already spent.

Many choices for injectors out there and it's buyer beware.

 

[cerberusiam]

Do the FCA first and see if that solves the problem. It sound slike it is not working as it should.

 

[Thesootchucker]

Did that fix your problem im haveing the same symptoms!!

 

[Ozymandias]

Did that fix your problem im haveing the same symptoms!!

Did you unplug your FCA, did it change the sound of the Engine?

 

[Thesootchucker]

Did you unplug your FCA, did it change the sound of the Engine?

Barley a change in sound

 

[Thesootchucker]

Should there be pressure built up after sitting for a day cuz i took it off just to inspect it and there was a bit of pressure buit up idk what eles it could be ive had it diagnosed at a shop and they said its fine lmao

 

[Thesootchucker]

It actually sounded like that 12v/piot injector cut out sound i was talking about when i step on it and bring it to 3k and let off quick

 

[Ozymandias]

Na it should sound really awful, like above said like an old tractor. Incredible hard hammering.
A sound that makes you wanna switch off the engine immediately.

Probably you're in for a new FCA, not really expensive part.
Get it from Genos, genuine Cummins/Bosch, no China crap in Bosch box.