Engine performance

[lawrence47]

I'm new to diesel engines. I have previously owned only gas powered vehicles. I am concerned with the operation of my truck. I could tell when the gas engine would need some attention as I could hear a miss or the engine would run poorly and shake. I could hear the exhaust report and tell that there was one cylinder that wasn't firing.

My question is: How can I tell whether or not my diesel engine is running properly? Can you hear a miss when an injector goes bad? Can you feel the engine lope when pulling a load if one cylinder is not getting a full charge of fuel?

My scourge is that I"m a retired maintainance mechanic/electronics tech, and I like for the machines that I own or work on to be in balance (good health) and perform to the best of their ability. I don't want to over analyze my engine or spend time and money that I don't need to.

I have a 96' Dodge diesel with a 12 valve 5. 9L engine.

 

[Rudan]

Well how's this. . My 92 D250 has 230. 000 miles on her, and I haven't done a thing to the engine but oil, oil filter, and fuel filter changes, and adjusted the valves a couple of times. (Minor) adjustments !! If it's been taking care of, she is going to run & run well. . Went to San Antonio this past weekend, and she till gets over 20 mpg. Cummings Turbo Diesel... nothing even comes close.

 

[Skydiver]

Welcome Lawrence. You won't have to worry much about the Bosch p-7100 injection pump nor the engine. Might try to find out of the KDP has been taken care of. I run the Fleetguard filters along with Shell Rotella fully synthetic. Change oil every 10k. Keep a check on fuel lines. They are due replacing. You will smell diesel when they leak. If a suction line leaks it will become almost impossible to start. The one fuel line behind the engine/over the transmission is real hard to change, so I hear. Mine has not started leaking. Knock on wood.

As long as you do not turn up the fuel too much this engine will run 750k to 1M miles.

Which transmission are you running?

Please go to user control panel located under discussion forums and fill out our signature.

The TDR has saved me hundreds of dollars.

I also worked on Maint/Ind electricity before I retired.

 

[lawrence47]

Hello Skydiver, The killer dowel pin problem has already been taken care of. It was peaking out of the hole. Had the radiator, intercooler, A/C condensor and oil cooler cleaned at the same time. New belt tensioner and serpintine belt, new anti-freeze and thermostat. I will soon change the clutch for the fan as it is not declutching as it should. My truck has the heavy duty automatic according to the window sticker as it was set up for a camper and trailer towing. No gauges yet but they are a future purchase before I do any mods. My wife and I are planning the purchase of a travel trailer and I think I want a little more power as she keeps talking about that 31 footer we saw. I want something in the 26 foot range. I will try to update my profile but I am also new to forums and using the forum formate. Larry.

 

[Rudan]

Skydiver... Diesel smell??? I have been noticing that just the last couple of weeks. The engine is running normal, and I cant' see fuel leaking anywhere, and she still get over 20mpg, but i do smell diesel. It was snowing, and 30 degrees this morning, and she fired right up. . what do ya think?