Bcfast

[vc]

BCFAST,

I haven't seen a post on your troubles in the last day, what's the status of your truck?

vc

 

[BCFAST]

Thanks for the concern, vc!! Here's the latest: the service guy at Everglades Diesel Injection here in Ft. Lauderdale (Bosch place) turned me on to a mechanic shop down in Miami that he knows and trusts. There are 2 guys who started it, each came from Cummins. I spoke with them on the phone and found them to be knowlegable and friendly. . heck, they're even open Saturdays!!! Sadly, I cant get down there this weekend, but next Sat. morn, I have an appointment for a look-see and a timing change Just on the phone, the mech/guru suggested that the injection fittings on top of the pump may not be lined up perfectly and is causing my miss. Until next week, the truck runs just awful! Although, I got 23. 62mpg on my last fill!!!!! Maybe 5 cylinders isnt a bad thing?

 

[LarryB]

6 is too many, 4 is not enough, 5 is just right. MBenz?

 

[vc]

Injection fittings not lined up?

Interesting; I thought they would have to line up for you to be able to properly tighten down the lines when you changed out the injectors. Are you going to put the injectors-370's - back in while they're looking at the problem child? I got my 370's in from Piers and hven't got around to them yet as I have also acquired a boat that's kept me very busy getting up to my standards before using it. But since your troubles started after injectors I have been interested in what happened as we both have same year trucks- different trany's though.

Keep us in the loop and good luck - I hope it turns out to be something simple.

vc

 

[vc]

BCFAST,

did you get your truck looked at yet?

What's the word?

vc

 

[dseabaugh]

The fuel milage sounds impressive. Your '97 sounds like it is set up like mine, auto 4x4, 3. 54 etc. I used to get around milage you are getting until dealer had cummins do some warranty work because engine was over reving (would bury tack) and they couldn't find out hp because it wasted the transmission first right after the tires started slipping on the rollers. Any way, I put in the plate and a new valvebody etc. after warranty was up and still can only get around 15 out of it now. only difference I see is your miss and my plate is centered. what difference does it make to slide the plate forward??

 

[vc]

dseabaugh,

BCFAST has a 5-speed and he will no doubt get better mileage than us auto guys. Sliding the plate forward gives more power, but becareful of your exhaust temps. It will go up. If you don't have a pyro(temp) gauge, you need to get one so you can monitor your temps and not exceed safe limits while playing around or towing, etc.

I get 18mpg in the city and 20 on the highway with my auto if I keep my foot out of it.

vc

 

[BCFAST]

OK, here's the poop-

I currently have in the #12 plate (put it back in trying to chase down this problem). Friday after work I put my 370's back in, figuring that if the mech. shop get this thing dialed in, I want it dialed with the big boys in there! When pulling the 215s out, I noticed that they all looked pretty EXCEPT for one!! One injector (the one next to the rearward-most one) was wet and ugly. Not sure what's going on in there, but will find out NEXT saturday. As for the mileage, my tires are a bit over-tall, and I calculate by multiple of . 044 to correct it. One thing I do to help my mileage is: when I see a light way up ahead turn yellow, I pop to neutral and coast that last 1/8mi to the intersection. Every little bit helps, apparently. Medium gentle on the take-offs, and while driving try to keep the throttle as steady as possible for as long as possible. This is how diesels prefer to operate, at a steady/constant load-state. I'll keep you guys posted on the prognosis. BTW, for those thinking about an injector swap (like you, vc) but are intimidated by the mechanical side of it, dont worry... it's not bad! Ive done it a couple times now, and am down to just under 1 1/2 hours! Woo-Hoo!!!! Just looked at my post counter... . only ONE MORE!!!!!

 

[vc]

BCFAST

what are you using for a puller to get those injectors out?

vc

 

[dseabaugh]

vc

Ooops. I slipped. I miss read and thought he had an auto. Still I used to get that kind of milage before they messed with my pump and injectors. Should of left it like it was. My son called me from Chicago tonight all upset . Said he hates it when somebody else messes with his truck but that is all part of warranty. My old big whitey was awsome before. put a 32 ft. goosneck behind, load it with about 12-15K#'s of fence and set the cruise control. No matter what kind of hill you met it wouldn't loose a mile per hour or down shift. After they worked on it I had to turn off the overdrive and would loose 15 to 20 miles per hour on every hill. The worst part was hearing my wife complain about it. :{ I'm eventually working my way back to a real truck again. One of these days I'll pull the injectors and see what kind of tiny hole they are trying to squeeze the fuel out of.

 

[vc]

BCFAST,

well, it's Saturday - what's the verdict on your truck's visit with the mechanics? And did you get your timing change?

vc

 

[BCFAST]

Well... I made the appointment with Armando to go in. I called and re-confirmed with Enrique yesterday, and he said, "You're all set for tomorrow!" I said, "Great!! what time shall I be there?" He says, "I get there at 7, so as early as possible". I drove 1 hour, got there at 7:40am and talked for quite a while with the mechanic, Raul. Raul worked for Cummins for 16 years. I took him for a drive and all he noted was that it has plenty of power. We went round-and-round about the problem and symptoms to no avail. He never picked up a tool! I said, "well, at least we can adjust the timing today, and I can feel I got SOMETHING accomplished"... oh no, senior... I cannot do dis todayyyy... you need to make an appointment for that" WHAT!!!??? the why the hell did I put my entire saturday aside to drive way the heck down here to freakin' Cuba???!!!! I am SOOOOO over this!!!I have decided that there are NO competent mechanics that are WILLING to work in the entire STATE!!!!! I am totally serious when I ask this question: Which competent TDR vendor is closest to Florida??? I will take my week's vacation and drive to get my stupid truck fixed instead of spending it with my fiance. Im over it.