Engine/Transmission (1998.5 - 2002) Down on Power

[ThomasPhillips]

I have a 98. 5 2500 4x4 with auto and 3. 54 gears. Recently I pulled a small box trailer, probably 40 sq. ft. frontal area and 800 pounds. On moderate hills on I-20, Augusta, GA to Columbia SC, I could not maintain 60 mph to the top of the hills. The O/D was engaged and the transmission did not downshift. The coolant temperature was normal and the engine was running smoothly. Power just seemed to be down. The truck has 175k miles on it. Could the injectors need cleaning? Any ideas?



Thanks,

Tommy Phillips

 

[B.G. Smith]

Yes, try some injector cleaner, I just ran a tank of fuel with some Howes addative through mine and it seems to run better and raised the miles per gallon about two mpg over the last tank. bg

 

[JFinke]

How is the fuel pressure? Air and fuel filters good?

 

[ThomasPhillips]

The air filter is clean and the fuel filter has about 6000 miles on it. I talked with the Dodge/Cummins "expert" at an area injector shop and he says it sounds like a weak supply pump. I assume he was talking about the lift pump. He priced the pump and labor for replacement at about $300. I planned to do some more research on this site before scheduling any work to be done.



Thanks for the feedback,

Tommy Phillips