2004.5 has the re-flash helped fuel economy

[DFeinauer]

Hi Everyone. I was wondering if the re-flash of the computer system has done any good. Mine is having the cold start problem (rough running and white smoke) and I’m going in for a re-flash tomorrow. I’m hoping is will solve this problem.

But has anyone that has had the re-flash done seen an increased there fuel economy? This truck is getting 12 to 14 miles per gallon. Build date 1-04 with 1125 miles on the ticker. Or should I have them looking a the fuel economy as a separate issue all together?

 

[thames1948]

Mine runs great, but milage is lousy and I am going to try the reflash for that.

 

[ceastmen]

I'm copying the response to my questions from another post. My questions were:



1. What is the TSB #

2. What is the TSB description

3. Is this TSB specifically for poor economy



The Respose was as follows and my comments are at the end.



Response from: MVaden



[/B][/QUOTE]TSB # 18-007-04 issued on 2/24/04



-White smoke during no load operation

-Engine stumbles or misfires during accelaration

-engine running rough after cold starts



No it is not specificaly for bad mpg, but some guys are getting better milage after the reflash. [/B][/QUOTE]



I wrote Back



Response from me:



[/B][/QUOTE]Thank you!



It appears to me it will have no effect on fuel economy other than if your engine was misfiring it would improve the economy because it fixed the misfire etc...



The TSB should not be advertised as a way to increase economy because it only increses economy if you had a problem with a rough running engine in the first place.



Can anyone dispute this?



Thanks All! [/B][/QUOTE]



What do you all think?



It appears to me the TSB is targeted at trucks with engine problems and is not intended to increse economy on a truck that does not have these hesitation and smoking problems.

 

[AFacey]

Here is a copy of the TSB. . look under pictures.



www.maf.mesanetworks.net

 

[DFeinauer]

Thanks for the Input. If this re-flash makes a difference in fuel economy or not I will post the results here in a couple of days.



Dave

 

[MVaden]

My truck does not exhibit any of the problems listed in the TSB. The truck runs great and seems to have plenty of power, shifts smooth and is pretty quite for a diesel engine, no odd noises.



BTW when I talked to my dealer I was honest about how the truck ran and that it didn't seem to have any of the problems listed in the in the TSB, but I would like the reflash done to see if it would help my milage. She (the service mngr) informed me that they could not do the reflash if I was not experiencing any of the problems. She also said that my milage seemed normal and that Dodge did not guarantee milage.



I'm going to another dealership this week and and maybe I won't be so honest this time.



My milage is up to 13. 7 now with no load and 50/50 hwy/city driving.

 

[jwilliams3]

Same mileage here Mvaden.

But, I do have a flat spot in power during hard acceleration up around 2000rpm or so.



No problems other than that, truck runs super smooth.



--Justin

 

[RobertBolinger]

I had the hesitation-reflash seemed to have fixed that-at 70 degrees it runs great, and 40 maybe it's 90% better than pre-reflash.



I have seen no difference in MPG-about 16. 5 with 75 highway with speed 65-80 and 25 city with speeds 25-45. Only a little towing (20 miles).

 

[DFeinauer]

Update on Re-Flash! Well I had the flash done and the White Smoke problem is gone. But it didn’t help the fuel economy as others have posted. Might have even drop a bit, had my fingers crossed. I guess I will be back at the dealer complaining about fuel mileage soon!



Dave.

 

[DFeinauer]

Update on Re-Flash! Well I had the flash done and the White Smoke problem is gone. But it didn’t help the fuel economy as others have posted. Might have even drop a bit, had my fingers crossed. I guess I will be back at the dealer complaining about fuel mileage soon!



Dave.