15,240 miles and broke down

[MattSt]

Left for Denver Saturday AM at 5 with the 28 foot goose in tow to pick up a truck and a car. Truck ran GREAT on the way out, got 14. 7 mpg pulling 5000 #'s @ 80 mph. Got into the higher elevation and could tell a little difference but not a whole lot. Load up and head home.



Just cruising along @80 and all the sudden the speedo drops to 75 then 70 then 67. Huge power loss. Any slight grade and it's down to 55.



It's dark, late and I just want to get home, pull off and pop the hood. I can't find anything unhooked, or wrong. I'm getting 18 pounds of boost and about 800 degrees on the EGT.



What it feels like is, as you press on the throttle it only sends a signal until 1/4 throttle. Then nothing. The last 3/4 is dead pedal. Pulled my laptop out, no codes set. Nothing after 1900 RPM either.



Finally get home @ 2:30 am and drop the load off. No difference in acceleration. 13,000 #'s lighter, same dead pedal and no power after 1900 RPM.



I dropped it off at the dealer this morning and will just have to wait and see what happens.



It almost feels like my bosses big Benz when in Valet mode.

 

[LightmanE300]

Yikes sorry to hear that. Those are the exact conditions I experienced in both of my diesels when the MAF sensor failed. Not sure if the Cummins even has one, but hopefully it's something simple for your sake!

 

[Fireman]

Don't get upset about this question, but how long since you changed your fuel filter?



Fireman

 

[MattSt]

Originally posted by Fireman

Don't get upset about this question, but how long since you changed your fuel filter?



Fireman

I can feel a DOH! Moment coming on, but "I" have not changed the filter yet. I have taken it in and had all the required service done on it. And it just had it's 15,000 mile service the day before I left. Is it on the list for things to be done?





Now that you mention it, I wonder if I got water in the fuel. It was on E when it happened. I fueled up about 5 miles later and the same problem was still there.



Hmmmm

 

[Fireman]

That is what happens when the fuel filter gets stopped up, 15,000 isn't alot of mileage but you never know.



Never overlook the obvious,

Fireman

 

[JHardwick]

Sounds like my '99 when the fual pump went out at 96,000. Of course the power loss was accompanied by a lot of bluish/white smoke!

 

[BHolm]

I'm pretty sure the manual says to change the FF at 15k. That doesn't mean that they did it though. I would also say that 15k is plenty of miles on the FF. I have had them do this with 10-11k miles on them (not on the Dodge).



Don't these trucks now use an electronic throttle? That sensor could account for the dead pedal, though I would guess you would have had a code.



Lets hope it's a fuel filter

 

[rashwor]

Sounds just like my '99...

when the MAP (Manifold Air Pressure) sensor gave it up. But I am guessing this is not your problem, because on my '99 it set a code and I would expect it to do the same on the ISBe's. Sounds like it is either the Fuel Filter or an electronic sensor somewhere. Good luck and keep us posted.

 

[MattSt]

Dealer just called. I guess the fuel filter looked like the La Brea Tar Pits. Installed a new one, treated the truck with Stanadyne and it's running fine. He said it's one of the worse they have ever seen. Figures it would happen to me! :{



The question is, how much power have I been missing since I filled up with the bad tank.



The dealer thinks the reason it started all of the sudden and got so bad is because I allowed the truck to get so close to empty and it finally sucked it all up into the system. Usually I fill up when just below 1/4. But this time I was pulling a big load and the next fuel station was a ways away. And it was WAY low.



I ALWAYS fill up at a high volume station with good (or so I thought) fuel. So much for that!



I keep every fuel receipt, I'm going to make some calls and see if someone has gotten alot of complaints. Maybe they will cover part of the repair bill.



I'm picking it up tomorrow AM and will post if anything is still wrong.

 

[scramblin]

Looks like Fireman was right on.

 

[MattSt]

Originally posted by scramblin

Looks like Fireman was right on.

Yep, I'm getting an extra filter and keeping it with me. I can't imagine leaving for a 2000 mile trip and halfway there having this happen again. No thanks. I will carry a spare!



I just wonder what THIS bill is going to be.

 

[Dean Upson]

Originally posted by MattSt

Yep, I'm getting an extra filter and keeping it with me. I can't imagine leaving for a 2000 mile trip and halfway there having this happen again. No thanks. I will carry a spare!

MattSt



Sorry about your trouble, but glad the solution was fairly simple except for the inconvenience and expense. I have always kept a spare fuel filter in my truck and have never had to use it. I carry a spare oil filter in my tool box as well, and when I go on a trip 12 qts of Rotella go in there, too. Some of these parts can be hard to find in the boonies.



Dean

 

[Prairie Dog]

I think you can get a lousy tank of fuel just about anyplace. Sometimes it's just the luck of the draw. I always buy from a high volume place but it's happened to me too w/my 93.

Glad it was a cheap fix for you though!

 

[Ladders]

I pulled mine (fuel filter) at 5k when I did the other changes and the filter was a dark gray (not black). Usually its only a lt gray (on the y2k) so I suspect mfgr debris got filtered in mine. . Maybe yours too? I still could of been fuel but... .



The other day went about 2. 5 miles to get on I40 and the truck just about died, thought the same thing - filter- but then got this smell and the rear "hopping". Double cked emergency brake and it was part on but no lite - go figure.





SOTSU!!

\\BF//

 

[Steve Campbell]

I own a 99 so bear with me....

Has someone figured out where to install a fuel pressure sender on the 03's? I installed one on my truck right off the bat and mostly use it to tell when to change the fuel filter. Longest has been about 28,000 miles until prressure started drtopping and the shortest was about 175 miles (Won't fuel there again).



I guess I am saying I use it as a trouble shooting guide.

 

[robobx]

my mileage and power dropped when I hit about 14,000 miles,(not as bad as yours) but I was using the truck everyday and couldn't get it in to the dealer until 19,000, it was the fuel filter. They charged me about $100 for a new filter and the labor

Needless to say I just got my 4/2/1 kit from Genos, so a fuel filter, oil filter and 3 gallons of Rotella are going behind the seat

 

[CPritchett]

I have been reading the posts and looking at the black fuel filters and changed mine this morning. With 10,000 miles it was dark black. I am carrying a spare with me and the 1 1/8" socket for it. My truck was running just fine and I can't tell any difference after changing the filter but it gives me peace of mind.

 

[ttreibel]

My filter was black @ 15K but I didn't notice a loss of power. After the change my mileage did improve but some of that is due to the fresh engine oil.

 

[ab7fh]

Changed mine at 11500 before we left on a long trip. The filter was black, and when I squeezed it out over the garbage can it looked like dirty motor oil coming out :--)



NASTY, I also use a high volume reputable dealer.

 

[sheffield442]

Pulled my laptop out, no codes set. Nothing after 1900 RPM either. ???????????? WHERE DO YOU HOOK IT UP AND WHAT KIND OF CABLE AND SOFTWARE.