COMPLETE diesel newbie, bought a CTD, got questions

[Davcruz]

I have lurked here at TDR for a couple of years whilst I was looking for the right CTD to come along. Judging by the community I have seen here I think my $35 investment will be very fruitful.



I am completely new to diesel ownership, my dad has always had big diesels (Fords) but I have been a gas guy until now.



Not at all new to Dodge 2nd Gens, as I have a 2000 4x4 360 Off Road package truck for the last 6 years or so.



So anyway, I am long winded. I bought this eBay Motors: Dodge : Ram 2500 (item 170193322691 end time Feb-19-08 18:34:54 PST) early this week. As I said I have been looking for a CTD for quite sometime, but these trucks hold their value so well that I was not going to spend the money unless I found one just right. This is it I hope.



So, I am flying out to Phoenix from VA tomorrow morning and I am driving it back, 2,364 miles give or take 100.



My question is this: Is there anything you all would recommend that I do or check on the truck prior to leaving the dealer? Obviously look for general things like oil level, transmission level, common sense stuff. Is there anything that I would not probably know to check or do?



I have read everywhere about the VP44 and the lift pump. Is there anyway to find out if they have been replaced?



I ran the VIN at Dodge and there are no outstanding recalls and I got the build data from Dodge also. Looks good.



Just looking for any tricks tips or knowledge before I hit the road.



Thanks!

 

[KevinSmith]

My question is this: Is there anything you all would recommend that I do or check on the truck prior to leaving the dealer? Obviously look for general things like oil level, transmission level, common sense stuff. Is there anything that I would not probably know to check or do?



I have read everywhere about the VP44 and the lift pump. Is there anyway to find out if they have been replaced?



I ran the VIN at Dodge and there are no outstanding recalls and I got the build data from Dodge also. Looks good.



Just looking for any tricks tips or knowledge before I hit the road.



Thanks![/QUOTE]







It has a lot of aftermarket parts on it. Normally the lift pump is below and behind the fuel filter houseing. If it still there you still have a stock setup, if not check for a fass, airbog, bd, or dodges intank pumps. I think you will find a stock pump on this one. Look in the pic at your dash and you will see a led. BD - LED LOW FUEL PRESSURE INDICATOR-Dodge Cummins and Ford Power Stroke Diesel Truck Accessories - Geno's Garage If it starts to flash change the fuel filter, if it keeps flashing after that put a new lift pump on.

The only way know how your injection pump is doing is to see if it is starting to give off syptoms of failing. Check for codes, Hard start when warm, etc

To check codes look at your odometer and turn the key on/off/on/off/on without starting the engine. If it says Pdone you either have no codes or the codes have been erased.

 

[GCroyle]

Normal stuff, check tires for heat if you didn't get time to verify pressure before launching, watch basic underhood fluids at stops, get to know what is normal on your gages. If you haven't had the pleasure of paying attention to the signs for which stations have diesel, fill up earlier than you might otherwise. I made a run from SC to AZ and back just after I bought my '05 and I sweated it out in AZ coming home watching the gage drop seriously low pulling a U-Haul scanning the desert in front of me looking for the town that was not just ahead on the horizon with fuel pumps.



Enjoy the trip and good luck.

 

[Chief USA]

As already mentioned, a thorough check of the fluids and pressures. Check the serpentine belt for being in good shape. I personally would suggest taking a manual fuel pressure gauge to the check the fuel pressure at the schrader valve on the injector pump. Check and see what the idle, normal driving, and full acceleration fuel pressures look like. I do this by running the pressure gauge up under the hood to the windshield and taping it in place so I can read it while driving. If the fuel pressure is questionable or low. It might be some real good insurance to replace the fuel filter and or the fuel lift pump especially in view of the very long return trip home. Best to maximize your chances of getting home without problems BEFORE you get started.



SHARP looking truck! Best of luck with it and the trip home!

 

[mberry]

I would check the common sense things too. But if it were me, I would change the fuel filter and air filter regardless of what anyone said. I would also probably have the oil & oil filter changed and I would use all Fleetguard filters. It's very cheap insurance considering how far you're going to be traveling to get home.

 

[Davcruz]

I want to thank you all for your suggestions, very helpful and informative!

I went to three stores this afternoon looking for a fuel gauge and could not find one, I finally ran out of time and had to give up on that one. I did get a fuel filter at NAPA that I will take with me.

The oil and filter was just done and it has an AFE Stage 2 filter on it and it looks very clean in the pictures. I had a buddy go check out the truck thoroughly for me BEFORE I bid on it and he said everything looked great except it had a bad battery, which both were replaced. Hopefully I will be good to go.

At least I will have a buddy with me for the trip. My dad and I have never done anything like this in 37 years, so he and I are making this our epic adventure. Here's to hoping it is epic but uneventful!

Thanks again!

 

[Chief USA]

Understand it is too late to get it now but for future use you might want to order one.



Fuel Pressure Tester w/ Schrader Connection

 

[bnbrown]

Like the others said, change the fuel filter, picked up our '00 and brought a spare LP, fuel filter, and air filter. (bought 4 trucks now on ebay) the '00 had no fuel filter at all... canister was there, but nothing in it. also, just hit the first fuel station you come to, just in case the fuel sender is non-functional... and track it from there. I would pick up an tire-pressure gauge to take (one that actually goes up to 80psi). and bring some music! lol picked up my '99 (the first ebay purchase) and spent many hours listening to wind.
You could look at the side of the VP and if it has a remanufacturers sticker on it... gives a clue it was replaced, but not necessarily when.
I check for codes before I even drive it off the lot.
good luck and enjoy.

 

[Oil Burner]

Good luck and I hope you enjoy the truck. I hope you have a great trip with your Dad as well.



take care,

Jason

 

[Davcruz]

Made it to Albuquerque, truck is nice and I am pleased but tired.



One thing, it had a locking fuel cap on it and the dealer had no key, they did not even know it had a locking cap. Neither did I until I got to a service station to get fuel.



I ended up driving a screwdriver into the lock to get it open, it seems to be in the unlocked mode permanently now. However about 110 miles from Albuquerque the CEL came on. It was just after hitting a series of big pot holes. I think it is the cap, sound plausible? Not sealing properly or something due to not working right now or I puntured something internally.



I tried the on/off/on/off/on thing but I must not be doing it right. What is the exact procedure for that?



Thanks!

 

[Missouri Mule]

You mite have to use a code reader to get codes but I thought on 00s that you could get by using the key method.



You mite have messed up the pressuration on the cap. If the fuel was low while the cel came on fill up when it hits 1/2 tank or stop at any parts store and buy new cap (locking or unlocking). Dealer wants a fortune for them.



I believe pressure is 25 psi ( I had to pick up one at dealer on a trip after I backed over mine). Gas and diesel caps are the same pressure, (on 12 valves don't know about 24 valves).



Also pickup extra fuel filter and filter wrench that fits filter housing just in case filter plugs up.

 

[Davcruz]

I got the codes out, I did not realize I needed to look at the odometer...



It gave me a 1693 DTC companion code and then a 0071 which from reading here appears to be an IAC intermittent voltage code.



Can anyone verify this? I am going to go look at the IAC, but I don't have anything to clean it with...

 

[Chief USA]

I am not coming up with any exhisting 0071 diagnostic trouble codes. Here is a link to the trouble code list.



https://www.turbodieselregister.com/Issues/IO55_OBDIICodes.pdf



The P1693 is a companion code.

 

[bnbrown]

This is the info I found for P0071
https://www.turbodieselregister.com/forums/2nd-generation-ram-forum-no-engine-transmission-discussions/196461-ok-they-got-me-one-any-help.html

 

[Davcruz]

I searched for 0071 and came up with 5 threads including the one above. All 4 of the others stated it is an IAT Intake Air Temperature erratic reading fualt probably caused by a dirty or bad sensor.



I am still not sold on it because after putting a new fuel cap on and filling the tank the CEL went out.



I am in Arkansas today at my companies headquarters and will be heading east again tomorrow to Knoxville, but all seems well so far.



LOVE THE TRUCK!!