Engine/Transmission (1994 - 1998) 1997 Dodge Cuumins Software update

[JesseGray]

I purchased my 1997 used and have no idea what the previous owner did or did not do.



Is there any benefit in taking the truck to a dealer and having the software programs upgraded???



Thanks.

 

[CKelley1]

no, your truck has a p7100 pump most upgrades are internal to the pump and injectors. they are no software improvements. see if the cat is still on it, see if the manifold was taped for a pyrometer. see that there is no K&N air filter in it. if it has the engine is probabally dusted but if not just check oil usage if low usage then the engine should be good for over 1,000,000 miles, even with the pump turned up we get this out of ours. for the pre common rail trucks the p pump was the best and the 97 early 98 were the best of the series

 

[JesseGray]

Thanks CKelley1. I have a boost guage and an after turbo pyro. CAT gone, EGR blocked. Currently with a K&N, but a fellow showed me that it can suck around the seal and the front edges of the intake impeller are dirty=dusted. It has low oil usage, so I believe it has not scored anything. Will likely go with a BHAF since it seems to popular and easy to find.



Was going to go for pump and injector mods, but lost fifth so I will have to take care of that first.

 

[Missouri Mule]

The PCM (computer) has nothing to do with running engine. No ECM, ECM's were put in use with the 98,5 trucks with the vp44 pump.

 

[CKelley1]

the 97 did not have egr. hold the K&N up to the sun and you can see holes all through the media it is about as good as window screen for filtering. stay with stock the bhaf lets to much hot air in. if it has low oil use then the damage might not be to bad

 

[Bill Stockard]

the 97 did not have egr.

Didn't CA trucks have EGR? Mine was a 49 state and didn't have EGR.



Bill

 

[MLee]

The 97 also has the dreeded dowel pin problem more than any of the others. If possable find out if it has been done. If not get it done, don't delay.

 

[Bob4x4]

Egr started in 96 in cali

 

[HPSimpson]

I bought new '96 in Kalifornia and never had EGR.

 

[Bob4x4]

There are different emission packages by production date,

Also a little known. Trivia,the 215 hp was available for about 3 months

 

[Missouri Mule]

I'll second in taking care of the killer dowel pin right away! If you don't #@$%!

If it has had horse power increased check your exhaust maniflod for shrinkage.

 

[MonkeyMagic]

CKelley1 or others...



What is considered low oil useage vs high?



thx.

 

[hsmith]

I consider mine very low useage, never have to add between 5k changes. High would differ among opinions of owners. I personally would not complain if I had to add one quart between changes.

 

[Bob4x4]

Iirrc Chrysler says 1 quart in 1k miles

 

[CharlieFoxtrot]

I personally would not complain if I had to add one quart between changes.

I wouldn't either! :-laf

Iirrc Chrysler says 1 quart in 1k miles

Yeah, that's about what I get. Uses ~2 gal in ~8K. I could just do 8K filter changes and never open the drain plug. The oil's self-changing every 16K! :{



edit: D'oh! OK, I'm math-impaired. Mine uses ONE gallon between changes @ 7-8K miles. Not two.

 

[Missouri Mule]

If I haven't taken the Mule out on the highway(with small load) for a while it uses oil pretty quick but if I been using it a lot it only drops about 16th of an inch on the dip stick for a 200 mile run( The Mule loves to run the highway with a load of produce in the bed).

 

[Bob95065]

My 1997 was originally sold in California and had and EGR valve.

 

[CumminsPuller]

I just purchased a 97' that has the EGR on it aswell. Kind of funny looking.



Jason