2019 Ram 3500 HO issues, P0299 code

[B Rad]

On 4/24/20, I finally take delivery on my new 2019 Ram 3500 with 6.7, night edition. At the time of sale, the truck had 19 miles on it. I drive home about 140+ miles away and once I get home, I take out the OEM paper air filter and add an AFE dry air filter. This is the very first thing I've done on my last 5 brand new trucks I've bought in the past 20 years. My son gets home from work that evening and we take a small 15 mile ride. No issues. Next morning, I needed to run errands and leave the house. I get about 1/2 mile from the house and trucks starts to run like crap, loping bad and no throttle. Check engine light comes on. I pull over, shut er down and restart. Runs fine, still check engine light on. Yesterday, I drive back to dealer 140+ miles away for the check engine light. Diagnostic revealed, P0299 code, turbo underboost. Selling dealer advised it is your AFE air filter causing you issues and document same but left the AFE filter in. Called and spoke with AFE and they advised "bullsh*t". Check engine light was cleared and off to home I go, another 140+ miles away. I get about 10 minutes from my house, and surprise, check engine light comes on again. At this point, I get home and put OEM filter back in and runs like a champ other than check engine light on. Check engine light will be addressed tomorrow at different/independent dealer than selling dealer. Are these engines getting that sophisticated that I can't change out the air filter with a cotton air filter that breaths better, flows, more CFM and is100 times more durable than OEM junk paper filters? 6 days of ownership, 441 miles (mainly to from dealer to home, back to selling dealer and back home) and 2 check engine lights in the process. Am I missing something?

 

[mpaulson]

Turf the AFE. Nothing is needed on these trucks in regards to air flow. Three trucks ago, my 07.5, I had an AFE and a custom ram air scoop under the bumper that I had made. The truck was chipped and if I turned up the chip and hit the throttle hard, the overhead console would chime and tell me to service the air filter(lack of air flow). Dealt with this for a while, cleaned the filter, still did it. I put the OEM Fleetgaurd filter in and did the same test, perfectly fine. And I slept better knowing that my engine was getting the proper filtered air that Cummins/Fleetguard engineered it to receive, not dusting or oiling the intake/engine.
Unfortunately now your warrentee has a mark on it now with the documentation of the AFE in the system.
Just not worth it in my honest opinion, nothing is gained, but more is lost.

 

[TFucili]

Sorry you are having trouble. The OEM filter is not junk by any means. Your truck, your choice, though.

 

[p-Bar]

There's really nothing wrong with the paper filter. I would take over a gauze/oiled setup. When I was helping CFM+ with his development (air hornintake) we tested the stock air box with the paper filter and pulled 100cfm with minimal restriction. If that aftermarket media is donaldson's technology then I would give it a thumbs up. All others thumb down. Just my two cents.

 

[p-Bar]

There's really nothing wrong with the paper filter. I would take over a gauze/oiled setup. When I was helping CFM+ with his development (air hornintake) we tested the stock air box with the paper filter and pulled 100cfm with minimal restriction. If that aftermarket media is donaldson's technology then I would give it a thumbs up. All others thumb down. Just my two cents.

 

[B Rad]

I understand the diff from oiled K&N even some AFE filters, but this is dry cotton AFE air filter only. Not a air intake system. I had '14 Ram 3500 6.7 and '17 F350 6.7 SD. Not one issue with the air filter swap/upgrade on either of those vehicles. I just didn't know with the technology, etc with it being a '19, this would be that finicky. I guess the "ole days" of more air in a added plus.

 

[B Rad]

Turf the AFE. Nothing is needed on these trucks in regards to air flow. Three trucks ago, my 07.5, I had an AFE and a custom ram air scoop under the bumper that I had made. The truck was chipped and if I turned up the chip and hit the throttle hard, the overhead console would chime and tell me to service the air filter(lack of air flow). Dealt with this for a while, cleaned the filter, still did it. I put the OEM Fleetgaurd filter in and did the same test, perfectly fine. And I slept better knowing that my engine was getting the proper filtered air that Cummins/Fleetguard engineered it to receive, not dusting or oiling the intake/engine.
Unfortunately now your warrentee has a mark on it now with the documentation of the AFE in the system.
Just not worth it in my honest opinion, nothing is gained, but more is lost.

does the p0299 code, turbo underboost, make any sense relating to the air filter? From what I'm seeing a diff side of the dealer and reading online, p0299 is generic as it can get. The dealer sees an aftermarket filter and automatically red flags my truck? I'm no mechanic or self proclaimed you tube engineer, just frustrating.

 

[HPSimpson]

In the past you could get away with after market filter but not anymore the Ram / Cummins intake have senors if flow isn't correct you will get Check Engine Light either way stock Fleetguard filter will flow all you will ever need!

 

[HPSimpson]

----------

 

[AH64ID]

As others have stated you won't gain anything from an air filter change but a potential headache with FCA and the truck. There likely isn't a better filter than OEM for the OEM box, even above OEM power levels. There is zero reason for FCA/Ram/Cummins to cut corners on an air filter.

It's nothing new, nor does it effect every vehicle but a friend had that happen from an air filter on his 2010 Ram 6.7.

 

[AH64ID]

duplicate

 

[p-Bar]

I meant to say in my ramble it was 1000 cfm we flowed

 

[sag2]

I see you are a new member here, welcome to TDR. As has already been mentioned the stock air box and filter are far better at protecting and keeping cool air in your $15,000 engine. There is nothing wrong with some aftermarket filters, as long as they are serviced properly, something that most people don't do.
And as also mentioned they flow more than enough air for stock and modified trucks. I would just go back to the paper filter, they are good for 30-40,000 miles under most conditions. They also are capable of holding pounds of dirt before they start losing flow. Since you look like you upgrade trucks every couple years, you are hardly saving any money by going to reusable.
Stick with the OEM stuff and keep your warranty.
Also if your truck was built in September or earlier there is a flash for the P0299.

 

[B Rad]

Thanks for all the info guys. Round 2 this morning at the dealer. Same code. Strangest thing after too many recommendations from you guys. Put the stock filter back in. I called the independent dealer from the selling dealer and was able to get me in this morning. I pull in the parking lot to the dealer, turn truck off then back on, NO CEL! Go figure. Dealer did a diagnostic code and P0299 was stored in there. Hard lesson learned and it will remain stock from now on. Again, thank you guys for the all the info. I guess I'm gonna have name my truck after a girl as it seems to be VERY finicky! Lol

 

[AH64ID]

Thanks for all the info guys. Round 2 this morning at the dealer. Same code. Strangest thing after too many recommendations from you guys. Put the stock filter back in. I called the independent dealer from the selling dealer and was able to get me in this morning. I pull in the parking lot to the dealer, turn truck off then back on, NO CEL! Go figure. Dealer did a diagnostic code and P0299 was stored in there. Hard lesson learned and it will remain stock from now on. Again, thank you guys for the all the info. I guess I'm gonna have name my truck after a girl as it seems to be VERY finicky! Lol

Glad it seems to be working..

Trucks always have girls names, at least in my experience.