scary low power on my '97 especially going up hills...

[ranger71]

So I've had this truck 18 years. Last year I had an issue with clouds of white smoke while driving. I replaced the cylinder head gasket and problem solved. Ran great for a couple of months but have noticed a decline in power the last few months, no smoke issues, just low power, like sluggish going up hills. Flat roads are no problem, revs rise and the turbo spools up and I'm happy but hit a light at the bottom of a long hill and I'm in trouble. Just cleaned the pre-filter screen in ultrasonic and no real difference but I'm happy I took the time as it was a little crusty after all these years. Any ideas guys? Lift pump is the one I bought with the truck back in 2000.... All ideas welcome. In diagnosing the cylinder head gasket I had the injectors tested and they were ok, not brilliant but not too far out of spec. What are your thoughts? lift pump? That return line spring thing on the injector pump? My truck still gets me to work but it needs help and the local diesel shop is a money pit with bad reviews... Please help!

 

[AnonEd]

I'd put this in Second Generation forum since the truck isn't dead on the road...at least not yet.

 

[GAmes]

Some gauge readings would sure be nice for troubleshooting. Without knowing boost or fuel pressure anything we offer would be a pure guess. Your lack of power could be the OFV, the lift pump, the injectors, the main fuel filter, a burst intercooler hose, a burst intercooler, and more.

 

[ranger71]

So I've had this truck 18 years. Last year I had an issue with clouds of white smoke while driving. I replaced the cylinder head gasket and problem solved. Ran great for a couple of months but have noticed a decline in power the last few months, no smoke issues, just low power, like sluggish going up hills. Flat roads are no problem, revs rise and the turbo spools up and I'm happy but hit a light at the bottom of a long hill and I'm in trouble. Just cleaned the pre-filter screen in ultrasonic and no real difference but I'm happy I took the time as it was a little crusty after all these years. Any ideas guys? Lift pump is the one I bought with the truck back in 2000.... All ideas welcome. In diagnosing the cylinder head gasket I had the injectors tested and they were ok, not brilliant but not too far out of spec. What are your thoughts? lift pump? That return line spring thing on the injector pump? My truck still gets me to work but it needs help and the local diesel shop is a money pit with bad reviews... Please help!

Some gauge readings would sure be nice for troubleshooting. Without knowing boost or fuel pressure anything we offer would be a pure guess. Your lack of power could be the OFV, the lift pump, the injectors, the main fuel filter, a burst intercooler hose, a burst intercooler, and more.

Thanks for the reply, the injectors are checked, pop tested, the fuel filter was replaced a month ago trying to fix the problem, intercooler piping is good, you sure hear that when it fails! I don't have a way to test fuel pressure yet but maybe you can answer this for me. Is the lift pump a diaphragm type? Just wondering if they fail completely or can go bad slowly? Same question with the OHV, slow death possible? Thank you.

 

[GAmes]

A lot of times the lift pump pushrod clicks on the cam lobe when the internal spring gets weak. From what I have read, yes they can fail slowly. OFV has a spring in it that gets weak. Members have installed a ball point pen spring as a temp fix. You won't necessarily hear a boost leak. It won't make any noise if your not making boost to start with.