Engine/Transmission (1998.5 - 2002) Bad connector tubes?

[EBung]

Could leaking connector tubes cause smoke at idle? I'm suspicous of my injector install (Mach 4s) and after I've driven it and it is plenty warm I still have a haze at idle I can see in daylight. If it is correctable I need input cause it sure seems to be a big waste of fuel. Otherwise truck runs like a top. I cant find any fuel leaks externally and doesnt seem to be gaining oil on the dipstick either.

 

[PRout]

Have read several times here in the threads that M4's do haze a bit at idle. Also 3's. Not saying for sure you don't have an install problem, but actually, I doubt it. They are probably right and that is normal.

I would keep a close eye on the oil level and make sure it isn't going up. Other than that you should be ok.

We're these new injectors? If so, Don is pretty meticulous about making them right. My vote. . "Normal".

Hey 4's arent anything to laugh at, those sticks pump out a lot of fuel.

 

[EBung]

They're new. Believe me I aint laughin just am not impressed with city mileage for one and am not diggin haze constantly. I'll try and drive like a granny and see what I get this tank. Its tough though cause it runs so strong.

 

[JR2]

My 4's haze at idle..... I think most do.

 

[darkhorse]

3. 8's here. No haze at idle. 19. 94 calculated on last refill. short haul gravel roads & lots of steep hills. I'd contact Don or my dealer & ask about it.

 

[Fishin Guide]

My M4s hazed just slightly on a warm day or at altitude. On cooler days here at sea level, they burn pretty clean.



Dave

 

[PRout]

I'll try and drive like a granny and see what I get this tank. Its tough though cause it runs so strong.

Just curious how the inj's are working out? How is mileage if driven normally, did the install turn out ok?

I've always been a bit baffled on how some people can get 23 with M4's and others get crud mileage with 275's even. I've been whining on here forever cause i cant get the good numbers like a lot of people are getting. . :{ (see)

Starting to think the 6 speed in the city (lots of stop & go) is not a good combo for mileage, but that doesn't explain while my mileage hasn't been all that great on the highway either. Guess it's got a drinkin' problem. . :-laf

Just curious about how yours worked out. Thanks.

 

[blacksheepdiesel]

Phil,

Don't see a fuel box or downloader in your profile. Have you tried one? My Smarty on SW#1 with RV275's and 6 speed give me great fuel mileage.

Godspeed,
Trent

 

[PRout]

Blacksheep, Sorry, I missed this question till now. .

Yes, have tried several different approaches from can bus/timing boxes, to programmers, tap wire boxes, air boxes/filters, tire tread types, exhaust setups, & several different sets of injectors. Didn't see a whole lot of difference in fuel mileage with any of the different combos (maybe 2 mpg's average between the different combos overall). Probably one of the biggest things I particularly noticed is with the timing increase, the eqt's drop significantly, and possibly a touch better mpg's but more engine rattle and probably higher cyl pressures while towing heavy.

Decided that the real number one goal is reliability/simplicity, 2 is drivability, 3 is being able to pass a smog inspection via keeping things appearing and sounding as stock as possible, 4 is mileage (something like that anyways - forgot the other one).

With those priorities in mind, got rid of all the added electronic power boxes (except for a practical solutions boost module that is tucked away and blended into the stock wiring as best as possible), and went back to the stock airbox, but added the extra black intake tube to the cowl so its pulling only outside air. Also went quiet on the exhaust, and even put the turbo silencer ring back in.

Just running the injectors for more power and have to say, drivability is very good, the VP is running at close to stock specs, and the motor isn't rattling much at all for a 2nd gen, so this has turned out to be a pretty decent combo.

Did try the RV275's with a smarty on #1 and as you say, that combo did give some of the better mileage numbers this truck has seen, along with low smoke, less touchy throttle, and low egt's also. The downsides were quite a bit of timing rattle, and I can only imagine that there would be some pretty high cylinder pressures while pulling heavy, but they warn you about that in the instructions so you just change programs for towing.

Yeah, I agree with you that genuine 275's were very nice injectors overall. These Mach 2's are pretty darn clean for their power gain also. Was impressed. .

That was the long answer. .

But in staying with subject of the thread, the connector tubes on this truck have been re-used probably 6 or 7 times and still seem to be ok.

 

[EBung]

Well connector tubes aren't leaking I would know by now for sure. The one thing I am going to try next is a new Map and Iat. My Adrenaline and the Mach 4s aint pleased with oneanother either. So I am going to hope Quad gets parameter adjustability soon cause all the profiles are to Agressive timing wise and the mileage setting is useless with big injectors and cruise control so here I am. Got truck that is a running mutha but isnt all that drivable with the processor in any setting around town. It just doesnt like to putt around and sip it wants to guzzle! Mileage wise it isnt any better than the Jammers in town and truthfully I havent traveled any real distance at highway speeds to get a accurate HWY MPG calc. The 37s dont help either so I dont expect to much I just know the haze at idle does nothing for mileage and wasnt expecting it from the highly touted Mach 4s and now it is all of a sudden "Normal" for these injectors. They are a great injector for sure but not with fuel prices so stupidly out of this world.

 

[PRout]

To be fair, the mach 4's arent touted on the F1 website as being "street" injectors. I think they are described something to the effect of these are better suited for or veering towards racing apps. It's just that a lot of people have been getting them and touting them as being clean, etc, but clean as compared to what? I mean we're talking about a truck making 235/245 HP from the factory and M4's are adding OVER 50% more fuel than stock inj's for the same throttle change, not counting the extra efficiency of being edm'd. They are bound to be more sensitive and amplify the little idiosyncracies in the rest of the system.

For example, a few yrs ago when Diesel Dynamics came out with their 100HP DD3's and they clearly stated and warned that "These injectors will cause smoke and are not suited for the faint of heart. " Granted they were extrude honed injectors, but they were pretty decent injectors in my experience, and the 125(?)HP injectors were named "Super Mentals".

Its only my opinion, but if a person is looking for smooth or clean drivability, there needs to be some compromise on how much injector they are going to upgrade to. Plus running tall gears/tires there is going to be more lag to contend with, so 150HP injectors are plain overfueled for that purpose. But I really am not saying much that you haven't already eluded to, just throwing this observation out there because it amazes me that people expect racing products to be well behaved for everyday street driving or even towing for that matter.

Added: Quote from the F1diesel website. . "Mach 3's are certainly considered a step toward a competition only injector. "