Here I am

2014 3500 Observations / Issues?

Attention: TDR Forum Junkies
To the point: Click this link and check out the Front Page News story(ies) where we are tracking the introduction of the 2025 Ram HD trucks.

Thanks, TDR Staff

Need advice with power adder

2013'

Status
Not open for further replies.
Had my 2014 for 3 weeks now, 1150 miles now. Have a couple of concerns that I'm hoping for some feedback on.

1) CTD 385/850 has some light rattling or pinging on light acceleration since new. I've test driven a few
in the past and do not recall hearing this sound, is it variable timing? Should I be concerned?
2) I'm finding that a few times now the 7" dash screen does not turn on at engine start,
so far, eventually it turns on but I've had to drive 5+ miles before it turned on. I thought it
was cold temp related, but I'm not sure now.
3) With only 1150 miles, I've used 1/2 of the DEF tank fluid. Never towed, always unloaded, been a daily driver so far.

Other than the above, all else seems perfect.
 
I assume that the "Light rattle" that you hear on occasion is gear rattle on the high pressure fuel pump. This is not uncommon for this rattle, usually comes and goes depending on acceleration or deceleration. Many of the Common rail trucks have this.
I have almost 10,000 towing miles on my 2013, It seems that DEF use has gone down as the engine gets more miles on it.
 
As with Gonzo 1066, my DEF usage has dropped a lot since new. I'm at 14500 miles and filled my DEF tank in sept and still have a half tank. It sucked up the DEF in the first 5000 miles.
 
There may be a reflash for the screen, have the dealer check it out. The DEF gauge could be inaccurate. If it is really under half full, you will be able to add 2.5 gallons of DEF to it.
 
I agree with the DEF gauge being off. At just below 1/2 tank I can fill it completly with 2 1/2 gallons. This is a 8 gallon tank according to the operators manual.
 
I only have about 450 miles on mine and no DEF usage so far. I do have a sluggish start from stop in first gear but it doesn't seem to any effect. I have the 8.4 screen and it pop's up on start. I'
m averaging a little over 18 mpg unloaded.
 
Thanks for the comments:

Gonzo - If it's as you stated and if it is normal I'm OK with it, but why me? Does every 6.7 do it?

I can hear sounds that I never heard before with a noisy 12V.
I'm pretty sure the DEF tank is just a bit over 5 gallons, but it is larger in the chassis cab.

Bug - I guess I'll see if the usage drops as the engine breaks in.

Joe - For now the random 7" dead screen is not really repeatable so I'm avoiding the dealer as it would be a waste of time at the dealer. Eventually I will if/when I have other
warranty issues. Dealer filled DEF tank when new, stayed on full for a long time, now drops fast.

Dloughrey - No lack of power on mine, sounds like you get good mpg if it's actually hand calculated. I found my EVIC is not reality. After my first tank was used, I refilled to maximum. Starting with my second tank my reset EVIC read 17 .0 when hand calculated was 16.02. Refilled again to maximum, so third tank EVIC read 15.9, hand calculated was 14.7. No error in the fuel usage, I can't complain as I have a much heavier & powerful 3500 than I had with a constant 17.5 mpgs on the 12V. As for the screen, I have no issues with the 8.4, my issue is with the 7" dash screen.
 
Joe I am going to have to check the owners manual. Maybe the long bed has a larger DEF tank?

That pump gear click (not really a rattle in my opinion) has been a common trait on some of the 03-13 (common rail) trucks only. Previous generation engines made so much noise you would NEVER hear the engine accessory drive gears.
 
The DEF tank gauages are not accurate My gauage didn't move at all for almost 3500 miles then dropped like a stone down to 1/3 I added 2.5 gal of DEF and it said tank was full. Added another 2.5 gal still says Full. Go figure. Figure on the truck using a gal per 1000 miles when not towing and a gal to 600/800 miles towing. They are running the injector timing a bit more advanced than the 12's and older trucks hence a bit more clatter on accelerating. Now that winter has shown it ugly cold head my Mpg's have been running around 16 -17 around town (yea very short trips as of late). My last long trip (759 miles) saw 21.4 Mpg my speed was over 74 and the air temp was 25-45 out. It seems these trucks are more effected by the winter blend fuel and cold (frozen DEF fluid) than the older trucks. That said it's still a huge world better than the 2012 that I cashed in back in August. Oh one more note the traction control takes all the fun out of driving in the snow when it's on. It will not allow you to spin out. every time the tires start to break traction the computer backs off the throttle and the wheels stop spinning.... The computer thinks way too much....LOl
 
I have had the same "rattle" under light acceleration at lower speed also.
DEF is a little below 1/2 half tank and just over 2000 miles.

Larry
 
While the CP3 doesn't need timed for injection there is a Service Bulletin on how to time the CP3 to avoid gear train noise. The timing procedure lines the pistons in the pump up with the pistons in the engine for loading of the gears.

If it is from the CP3 you might ask the dealer about it, and while you are there I would at least have the screen issue documented.

As EDankievitch pointed out it could also be timing rattle from advanced timing on the '13's. Does it change when the motor is warm vs cold?
 
While the CP3 doesn't need timed for injection there is a Service Bulletin on how to time the CP3 to avoid gear train noise. The timing procedure lines the pistons in the pump up with the pistons in the engine for loading of the gears.

If it is from the CP3 you might ask the dealer about it, and while you are there I would at least have the screen issue documented.

As EDankievitch pointed out it could also be timing rattle from advanced timing on the '13's. Does it change when the motor is warm vs cold?
Does not sound like a click (pump) as suggested earlier by Gonzo, definitely a rattle, or pinging type noise (as in a gas motor). Eventually I'll have it back at the dealer, but rather
see for myself if it's an issue. The dealer may say it's normal, but I would think all 6.7s would have it. The sound does not change whether hot or cold.
 
Pinging is generally timing rattle, and is probably normal. It could be a tank of low quality diesel as well.
 
On my 2013, it was just under 3/4 when I drove it for the first time at 7 miles, at 1,993 my gauge was on the red E line. Added 3.93 gallons at the Flying J in Haw River. After that it read full for a long time, then it started dropping. In 2000 miles I'm just under 1/2 tank. Melvin Pierce has an explanation in his post that makes sense to me. I also experience the pinging at light acceleration like you said especially under light load. Sounds a lot like a gas engine pinging from inside the cab. Ken Irwin
 
Last edited:
Status
Not open for further replies.
Back
Top