Engine/Transmission (1994 - 1998) Did my timing jump?

[KennyM]

Help me figure this out.



This is confusing. Many weeks ago I had a fuel leak at what appeared to be the WIF sensor, Replace filter and sensor, plus cleaned up fuel.



Without running truck decided to install my 370's. After installation was testing on back road and power increase was impressive, throttle response was impressive. At 1/4 to 1/2 throttle truck seemed to have more acceleration than with stock 215's plus could hit 40 PSI. WOT just planted you back in the seat, and awsome smoke.



Next day took truck to work some 90 miles away, was giving coworkers rides, truck was running great. On my last blast before entering work we were running the truck hard through the gears. I hit 4th and the truck acted like the clutch was slipping, could swear I smelled burnt clutch. Got the truck back to work all looked OK other than light diesel smell, assumed it was left over fuel from filter. Upon inspection saw more wet diesel fuel But seamed to be at lift pump. Primed the pump and filled my hand with fuel.



Replaced the pump, purge out air and truck starts first try. drove truck for about six hundred miles (over one week), the only thing I noticed was sometimes had to blip the throttle to keep running when first started and what seemed to be a flat spot in second and third applying very light throttle, plus the white smoke. Assumed upstream the lift pump had to be sucking air. Every night I would inspect and tighten anything that looked suspect, and absolutely no fuel leaking. Today I did my first WOT run and truck would not go over 35 PSI and Acceleration was poor and not a ton of black smoke, less than when I had stock 215's.



Tonight I checked to see if I blew a boot off, but that would only explain the 35 PSI boost. Plus I would think black smoke would be worse. Is the problem my timing?

 

[tp0d]

Hmm. . doesnt sound like timing to me, usually timing off generates white smoke with very rough idle. Have you checked your turbo for play, mebe its goin south. hmm. . how old is yer bhaf? just possibilities i guess. .



good luck



-jerry

 

[KennyM]

BHAF is only about a year old and has about 12K on it, still looks clean. I will check for play in the turbo, but I would think black smoke would be greatly increased.



Thanks. Ken

 

[BPonci]

Check you orange o-ring at the turbo outlet to see if you melted it or tore it. Check your afc control line for cracks or breaks. Also recheck your boots for leaks. I would try to make up a boost leak tester. Sounds like you have a leak some where. Good luck.

 

[KennyM]

I am thinking more and more leak. Just took truck out for a run, WOT EGT's almost instantly get well over 1400, but soot is still minimal and 35 max PSI. I still think something else is going on, but have to rule out leaks and turbo first.



Thanks for the replies.

 

[KennyM]

Just wanted to add this, did a forum search and found that the overflow valve can cause some of the symtoms I'm seeing. White smoke when lightly accelerating when cold and needing to keep lightly on the throttle for a few seconds after starting when cold. I'm going to replace this as it's only $35. 00.

 

[WDimig]

kennny - hey if you like to i got a boost checker device that i made and you welcome to come over and use it to test. as far as the over flow valve, you can take it apart, and check the spring. it should meausre about 1/2". mine was almost an 1/8th" short, i strectchedit out for now and noticed a slight gain in power. be careful if you take it apart, there is small metal ball that the spring pushes on, dont loose it! it would be very hard to find if you did. pm me if you like to come over and use the boost checker.



wes

 

[KennyM]

Thanks wes, I'll let you know tomorrow if I need the boost checker. I took the Overflow valve apart, but knew about the check ball. I didn't measure, just stretched the spring, I also have a new one ordered. I'll test it on my way to work. If still not well I'll replace the plastic line from afc to air intake. I should be able to round up stuff at work for that. At lunch I'm going to run up to a friend of the families shop and see what he suggests, and see if I can leak check it there.



I still think if something was wrong with the health of the turbo or if I have a tear (Leak) that I don't see that black smoke (soot) would be worse.

 

[Vaughn MacKenzie]

Kenny have you ever serviced you prefilter? After a long time the O-ring will deteriorate and be a source for sucking air. Here is more info:http://dodgeram.org/tech/dsl/filter/pre-filt_clean.htm



Vaughn

 

[KennyM]

Vaughn,



I never serviced the prefilter, but should have. I had the thing off when changing the lift pump, but did not know it needed to be serviced. Thanks for that link, I will actually do this next. Stetching the spring on the of valve made no differance.



Thanks

 

[KennyM]

Thought I would give an update.



I replace OF valve, removed and replaced afc line and fittings(switched to one touch and swage fittings). I also removed the T at the afc since I'm running a non WG turbo housing, will put back in when HX40 goes in. Serviced the prefilter (had a lot of crap in it). last replaced the hose between the prefilter and LP.



Truck is way more responsive, boost is up to 40 PSI. WOT power is still down, but much better and smoke clears up to a light haze. When started I still have to give it some RPMs to keep running, for about 10 seconds and I still smell some diesel, But see nothing.



Next to do is replace rubber lines both 3/8th and 5/16ths. I ordered the kit from larryB. I may just go ahead and replace both back to the tank. I found info and plan on using SAE30R9 and will run it through PVC to protect it.



Thanks for all the responses. Please add more if I'm missing anything.