Engine/Transmission (1998.5 - 2002) Chugging at low rpm and White smoke

[BenJohnson]

Hello all. I am currently on a vacation up in mountains of Wyo, hauling my fifth wheel around. A couple days ago I notice a "chugging" when the rmp is below about 1200. Its a mix of a hesitation and what feels like starving for fuel. Once the rmp gets up to around 1500 the truck performs great. One I step on the pedal at 1200 rpm, I get some white smoke until about 1500. Since we just drove out here from Ohio I thought perhaps some bad fuel. I have drained the fuel separator a few times and definately had a lot run out. I also just swapped the fuel filter. The lack of performance seems to be worse with a load. Any ideas would be great!



Thanks,



Ben

2000 CTD 4x4

 

[R.E. Miller]

Do you have any fault codes? I. E. has your check engine light come on? The first step to figuring out what is going on with an ISB is checking fault codes and seeing what your fuel pressures are. I think that you need to have 16psi priming, no less than 8 cranking, and no less than 10 psi high idle (WOT) I haven't had one of these recently, so correct me if I am wrong If you get white smoke and stumbling, could be timing, air in fuel, low fuel pressure (which is a factor of timing in these pumps), or internal pump problems, or even other issues. Don't freak out, if it turns out that you have low fuel pressure and there is no restriction in the fuel system, then it might just be a simple lift pump replacement. If you can get a TDR buddy with the quick check II Palm pilot, you can check you faults real quick, and that would be handy. P. M. me if you need more help!



Russell

 

[ToolManTimTaylor]

Hey Ben welcome in!





1200 rpm is lugging the motor pretty bad while towing for starters. The drive train is taking stress as the torque down low is pretty high to begin with. You are off boost and harming the motor more than you need to. Build rpms (Keep her out of OD til 50 mph to get some boost) as you are prolly lowering the combustion chamber temps when lugging and not getting a complete burn thus white stumbly smoke.

 

[Silver Bullet Ram]

I am getting a simliar condition like that, but only on start up though. I tromp the pedal a few times and put it in gear and go. I have checked for codes and nothing has shown.



Gary

 

[jlhartak]

1200RPM is definitely lugging, I would keep it above 1800 and at the high altitudes in the Rockies 2000-2200 is better yet, lets the turbo spool up. If you are getting the white smoke/poor power right after startup you should check the manual it says to run under light throttle for the first 5min. after a cold start to avoid the very symptoms you list. Cold Wyo. mornings and high alt. contribute to the smoke.

 

[BenJohnson]

Thanks for the info. The problem has seemd to rectify itself some, not near the effects I was seeing before. I'm hoping it was some bad fuel, water, etc ... I would like to check on the fuel pressures though.

 

[ToolManTimTaylor]

Definatly in the future Ben keep the rpm's 1500 or higher. You may want to follow up with a treatment like power solutions power cleaner , or howe's even. that will kill anything left in the tank god forbid you have something. Plus it's just a good idea anyhow.