Archived Bad Fuel.Truck is Dead

[BlueDiamond]

Bought fuel today at my local Shell station. As I pull up a maintenance guy is changing out the filter on the pump. Maybe I should have seen this as a bad sign and kept going but unfortunately I did not. Got about 15 gallons and just as I pulled out onto interstate from station the WIF light comes on and truck begins running very rough. The first exit is 10 miles away so I have no choice as I have my three car wedge behind me. Made it to the exit and drained and changed filter. Added some fuel additive that is suppose to remove water and now truck is dead. Seems to be getting straight fuel when I drain but truck will not run. WIF light has gone out but truck still will not run. It will start and run for only a very few seconds all the while smoking heavily. Mostly a white smoke. Also has a very bad knock. This is my first diesel so I'm hoping some of you guys/gals can help me. It's an 05 3500 DRW with 47,000 miles. Did I destroy something by continuing to drive it or should I try to completely drain the fuel tank??Thanks for any advice. Michael

 

[R C Cola]

Fuel

Fuel additive, what brand and how much did you put in. If the problem is water, did you bleed the injection lines at the head. Many trucks will not run till this is done. Loosen the line just enough that fuel squirts out on 3 cylinders and crank a few times till you see fuel squirting out all 3 and then retighten. DO NOT PUT HANDS NEAR INJECTOR LINES WHILE CRANKING !! !!

If you have pressure in those lines purging the 3 cylinders will allow it to start and it will run very rough for 30 to 60 seconds and gradually smooth out. Most name brands of additive that say they remove water will work fine when used in the reccomended dosage. If the problem is gunk in the fuel

(plugging the filter) you may have to change the filter again and redo the whole process of bleeding. You need to know why they were changing the filter, can you call and ask? You will know more about the solution then.

If you have TOO much sludge, you may have to drain and clean the tank. Thank God I have only had to do that once. Good Luck R C

 

[BlueDiamond]

Thanks for the quick response. Don't know the brand of the additive as a friend who runs the company that delivers the fuel to the station in question brought it to me and he poured it in while I was under the hood. We did purge the lines but one at a time. Does that matter?Should it have that horrible knock in it and white smoke once I do get it to start??I'm just afraid that since the WIF light went out and the truck still will not run only smoke and knock for a few seconds that I have bigger and more expensive issues here. Unfortunately I only have EGT and turbo boost guages. Knew I should have gotten the fuel pressure as well. Thanks again,Michael

 

[Vaughn MacKenzie]

Man what a bummer, not sounding good to me. . . if the WIF came on and it started running rough it sounds like you did suck water through it. If the WIF comes on the truck should be shut down ASAP. Water will take out your high pressure pump in a matter of seconds



One thing for sure. . . I would definitely talk to the Shell station and hopefully you have a receipt. Keep us posted on how things go and good luck.



Vaughn

 

[MMeier]

Perhaps try filling the filter canister with some Lucas Fuel Additive ,after draining completely, and dump a bunch in the tank if draining it is not an option. My . 02

 

[RobertP]

after looking in the fuel drain canister on these new trucks you really dont drain all of the water out when you open the drain valve. you may want to start looking for a new injection pump.

 

[BlueDiamond]

Thanks for the replies guys. Here is where I stand this morning. WIF light is off. Installed new filter after one more drain which was all fuel no water. Went to bleed the lines but am getting no fuel to injectors. Two codes show up P2269(water in fuel condition) and P0341(Camshaft Position Sensor). Does this second code sound like pump failure?Thanks,Michael

 

[Vaughn MacKenzie]

Hmmm, cam position sensor shouldn't be related to the CP3 (your high pressure pump). However if you cam sensor is bad it will definitely not start! The ECM needs to see a signal for the cam sensor before it gives the OK to turn on the fuel to the injectors. Try replacing it, maybe you'll get lucky. . .



Vaughn

 

[RobertP]

the cam sensor code is from repetitive cranking and no starting. also because of when you crank it and it tries to fire up but doesn't. the cam sensor is not bad.

 

[Hammer]

Michael. .

With the fuel problems your having you will continue to have them unless you either step up to a very powerful additive which disperses water,such as Power Service 9-1-1,or drain the fuel tank completely. The codes as they have already said are from excessive cranking and will happen when you get a situation such as this.



Add a quart bottle of Power Service 9-1-1 to your tank and allow it to disperse the water you have. One thijng to keep in mind also is,IF,you do not drain the tank make sure that you carry extra filters along as they are going to gather up the crap in the tank once you treat it. PIA but it can be done and dealt with. Hope this helps some and allows you to enjoy your new diesel truck. BTW Welcome To The TDR... . Andy

 

[Joe Mc]

Since this was the fault of Shell (water in their fuel tank) they should pay to tow you to their station, drain all the fuel and replenish with fresh fuel. Don't even get anywhere near a dealer until you have this situation corrected or they will for sure enter the information on the data base for your truck and possibly deny future warranty repairs.

Back in 70 something? my mom fueled up her car and we got about 3 miles down the road it just died. Turns out it was water in the fuel. The station (Mobile I think) came out to our location, towed in, what a hand crank pump emptied the tank, put in some treatment and fresh fuel, got it running, gave her a voucher for 10 gallons of fuel and no charge.

Not your fault - not your cash problem. If you have your receipt they should honor everything. Let us know how you make out.

 

[wcjp]

You can't be the only one with this problem. Station should've seen others by now with fuel problems.

 

[juicedcummins]

I am suprised that your light came on. Mine does not work and I have had water a few times bad enough to make it miss real bad while still @ the pump.

 

[BlueDiamond]

Thanks for all the help guys. Got my truck back from the dealership this morning. After a complete fuel system drain and two new injectors the ol Dodge is back on her feet. The owner of the Shell is covering everything. He has a new Duramax that is in the shop also because of his bad fuel. Dealership said my pump "seemed" fine but I find it hard to believe it didn't receive some damage throughout this ordeal. Just another thing to worry about i guess. Thanks again,Michael

 

[cpeters]

I had the same problem last year at a exxon station engine died 50 ft from pump. . station paid for new vp44 fass and set of injectors, that is what my local diesel shop recommeded, according to them once water gets in a pump like that it starts to rust right away and you need it all replaced or you could have a failure 75,000 down the road and you will always wonder was it that darn water you pumped... .

 

[Joe Mc]

Blue - I have to take seriously what cpeters mentioned. I'd consider locating a Cummins parts/service (my local one goes by Cummins/Onan) or even a Bosch Service Center and seek counsel from one of their Service Techs or Manager to see what they say about the VP - if Shell is footing the bill they should be responsible. I'm curious as to why the dealership only replaced 2 injectors? Kind of like just replacing 2 out of 6 spark plugs?

Regardless - Glad to hear you're up and operating again.