Engine runs rough? Bad fuel?

[Dieseldumb]

Filled up with fuel and drove 200 miles, engine begins to idle rough and on the way to dealer begins to run rough. Dealer only able to change fuel filter(diesel tech off). Engine begins to idle better, blows some black smoke and runs normally. Fill up again with fuel, pick up new 5th wheel and drive 200 miles back home. Next day truck begins to idle rough then begins to run rough; barely get to dealer where truck now rests waiting on tech. .

Is this bad fuel? If so how did I go 200 miles each time? I am appreciative that it got me where I was going and brought me back. If fuel, do I need to have the tank drained? Any other likely culprits? I am still under warranty, but figure that the dealer will find a way to make me pay-if bad fuel then guess I will. Anyone have any success getting the station to pay? Thanks!

 

[Prairie Dog]

If it was bad fuel you may need to change that filter 1 or 2 more times.

It's happened to me.

 

[MaximusRam]

I wouldn't drain the fuel tank, I would go to a known good fuel station. Like a big truck stop and get fuel there for a little while. I would run some fuel treatment like "howles" (not sure about the spelling) its a gold color fuel treatment I like it. It normally helps fuel out 2-3 miles to the gallon about the last run of it, I would spread it between 2-3 tanks. I don't try many different types of treatment, but i know "howles" is good. I would also have to agree with changing the fuel filter once or twice more depending on how it runs. Seeing how you got 200 miles before anything happen I would bet that is your problem. Thats what I would lean towards doing before I looked any deeper. Just make sure you run Good Clean fuel for the next few tanks till you find the problem. A good turnover truck stop will work great.

 

[DaveK98]

I had a very similar problem last week. Truck ran fine but the water in fuel light wouldn't go off no matter how much I drained it. Got home from my last fillup about 150 miles and drained the water into a container and there was tons of water in there. Was from my last fillup as I put in 34. 6 gallons. Truck wasn't running bad but I'm guessing it was far from... .



Dealer said there was tons of water in it. They dropped the tank, pump in tank, cleaned all fuel lines, cleaned filter housing, new filters, flushed injector pump and injectors. Drum roll... ... . $795 which I hope gets paid for by truck stop.



Hope you make out ok

 

[Vaughn MacKenzie]

Dealer said there was tons of water in it. They dropped the tank, pump in tank, cleaned all fuel lines, cleaned filter housing, new filters, flushed injector pump and injectors. Drum roll... ... . $795 which I hope gets paid for by truck stop.

You are VERY lucky. Last couple of guys that had to do this cost them nearly 10 times as much because it took out the high pressure pump and injectors. Hope you don't have issues later on down the road. Any diesel doesn't tolerate water well at all.



Vaughn

 

[DaveK98]

Vaughn, I know I was lucky.



Gee you think you are safe sticking to major truck stops. I also hope I don't have any issues down the road being I've only got 4k miles on it.



How successuful do you think the factory filter/seperator was in keeping the water out of the pump/injectors? I asked to talk to the diesel mechanic, what a joke, they brought me some kid that didn't have a drop of grease on him. Dealer also managed to smoosh the top of my ac condensor fins (which I've been extremly careful not to).



Being my first diesel maybe I just had a piece of bad luck? I've even though about carrying a container around to pump like 1/2 quart in and look for water/bad fuel, but then what happens if you pick it up at the end of the pumping? Do you have to check the end result as well? Any tips? I absolutly love the endless power but this has been a pain as I'm sure "diesedumb" (don't take offense) can also agree.....



Dave

 

[sag2]

The reason DC does not use a 2 micron filter is because it will not strip the water from the fuel like the factory filter. In order to run a 2 micron, you really need a two stage filter system, and that equals $$$$.

Unfortunately our new trucks hate dirty/wet fuel.

 

[Dieseldumb]

Tech pulled sample of fuel and was it dirty(filthy)! After listening to all the worst case scenarios, we agreed for him to pull, drain and flush the tank. He will purge the fuel lines and put in a new fuel filter. He will also pull #1 injector and look for rust, etc. I'm hoping that because of my worry about finding fuel I've been topping off when 1/3 down and keeping the trash diluted. Time will tell! Guess I'll start buying Geno's fuel filterers by the box. I think I have a good relationship with the tech and maybe things will go as planned. Looks like someone would make an attachment(enclosed funnel with a filter) that at least would let you know you got bad fuel; then if they put a low point drain in the tank you could dump it. Just thoughts on my way to the bank.

 

[DaveK98]

I wonder if one of ther replacement tanks from transfer flow or aero tank could be modified to have a petcock at the lowest point. You could then drain the tank and check for water or simply flush your tank out from time to time?



Sag2, can you recommend a 2 stage filter system? Maybe a suppliment to the factory system?



Dieseldumb, at least the diesel tech talked to you. I asked for the tech and kept getting squeaky clean kids... . Had to get back to work or I would have just walked in the shop... .