Engine/Transmission (1998.5 - 2002) Boost Smell

[Ragain]

I have a stock '00 2500 4x4 auto w/225,000 mi...

Struggles to pull a 7,000# 6. 5'x16' V-nosed cargo trailer. No codes. At highway speed if it kicks down out of OD and under high boost I smell something similar to air that was let out of an old tire. Intake boots/piping are fine. Have not pressure checked charge air cooler though. Is it very common to have a leaky charge air cooler with these trucks? Wastegate is not stuck open. Boost gauge will still top out at 20 psi when this occurs. I am somewhat embarrassed when a gas burner towing a cargo trailer passes me on the highway due to my lack of pulling power.

I bought this truck with 160,000 mi so I do not know if the VP44 is original or replaced. Is it possible someone put an industrial application VP44 on this engine that has lower output parameters?

I have 3 other Ram Cummins that would easily make this pull, so any input would help.

 

[Bob4x4]

2nd gen cac's are pretty stout but I have replaced a couple. That being said that will not be your issue. Stock your truck is better than some holding 20 psi. You may be smelling some blow by but not boost

 

[JR]

Are you running stock sized tires? What gears are in your truck? Oversized tires with 3. 55 gears (for example) will drag a stock auto down pretty quickly on a grade, especially once youve dropped down below the 1600-1700 rpm range. Almost have to keep the rpms up close to 2k or higher, especially with a stock truck when pulling grades. The 2nd gen autos with 3. 55s are in my opinion almost geared a little too high, especially between 3rd and 4th (od)

 

[Ragain]

Bob4x4,
Very possible the blow-by is what I am smelling. I just can't understand my lack of power on this particular '00 truck compared to my '98. 5 and my '02... . They are stock also and are like beasts whereas my '00 couldn't pull the string out of a cat fight! Do you or anyone else know if it is possible to have the wrong VP44? My fuel economy seems to be ok (18 mpg avg/ 12 mpg towing).

 

[Ragain]

diesel4life,
I am running the stock size tires with 3. 55's.
(Approx 1600/1700 rpm at 65 mph)

 

[Ragain]

This is the truck/trailer combination in question.

 

[JR]

By comparing your other trucks as you mentioned, were they similar setups as far as gear ratio/trans? I also had a 00 auto with 4. 10 and it did make a difference towing compared to my current truck with 3. 55s. The problem with the 3. 55s as you mentioned at 65 mph your running at the very bottom of the torque curve of the engine. As soon as you drop 100-200 rpms the truck is losing power big time. Alot of times if I have a heavy load I think I may have a problem pulling a hill, I will slow down to 60 and drop out of od. At 2200 rpm it will pull a freight train up a hill. My truck is still relatively stock aside from 275 horse injectors, blue chips performance pump, and a smarty. Ive also got a built trans/ aftermarket tc with a lockup switch so I can lock it in od and watch my egts while pulling grades.

 

[Ragain]

diesel4life,
The '98. 5 is identical and could pull this trailer like it wasn't even there. The '02 is a 3500 and the '08 is a 5500 which is in a totally different class. On the slightest incline or in any head-wind the '00 just falls on its face.

 

[Bob4x4]

View attachment 83852
This is the truck/trailer combination in question.

Love the background.
Start by testing fuel pressure,make sure actual boost matches the map sensor reading on a scanner.

 

[JR]

How are you checking for codes? I remember on a few occasions on my 00 my scanner would show codes even though I didnt have a cel. Also like Bob says check fuel pressure. It is possible if your vp is badly worn it could be at full advance and still not set any codes. Unfortunately with no codes it will be hard to know for sure. Also might think about pulling and testing injectors.

 

[Ragain]

Bob4x4,
Over the years I take pics of each truck I have driven while going by this spot. NM/AZ state line on I-40 next to the Speedy's fuel stop (Lupton exit).

diesel4life,
I checked for any codes with the ignition cycle method but never ran a full systems check with a scanner... I guess that will be my next step. Time is a factor though... lol