Ever have your fuel filter plug up? What are the symptoms?

[Bill Stockard]

I was driving along about 55 MPH in 6th gear and the engine shut down like I turned off the key. I had over 1/2 tank of fuel according to the gauge. I coasted to a stop, checked under the hood and under the truck for leaks--nothing. I got back in the truck hit the starter and it fired up. When I put it in gear to pull out on the highway it started missing like it was starving for fuel. I replaced the fuel filter which looked fairly clean, but was heavy. There was no big accumulation of crud in the pleats. It had been only about 900 miles since I had changed it. I drove on home(about 50 miles) and it has run perfect since the filter change.

I called my dealer service mgr. and he said that the 24 valve engines acted like that with a dirty fuel filter. He said they don't do like all the past diesels with mechanical pumps since the VP44 is very fuel pressure sensitive and will shut down with lack of fuel. He said normally(?) when a sensor is going bad the "Check Engine" Light will come on.

I was curious if anyone else has had this happen to them and if it was really the dirty fuel filter. I would hate for this to happen to me on the side of a mountain in Colorado in a couple of weeks!!

Bill

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Y2K 3500QC, 6 Speed, 4. 10, SLT+, Camper & Tow Pkg. , Westin Chrome Nerf Bars, Mopar Flaps, EGT & Boost Gauges, ECM Controlled PacBrake w/BD Switch on Gearshift, Painless Wiring Kit, Mag-Hytec Diff. Cover, Rancho 9000, Air Lift 5000 Air Bags, '01 Lance 1140 11'6" Slide-In Camper, Torq-Lift Camper Tiedowns

 

[LSMITH]

Bill, I have had a fuel filter clog up almost entirely with wax and gelled fuel. It did not just shut off, but lost power in the upper RPM's. As the clogging got worse the RPM where it would pull hard got lower and lower till it would not pull over 2000 RPM with a load on the engine. After a filter change it ran like a top and has since, I also carry a spare fiter with me at all times now. Your problem does not sound like a fuel filter to me. I would suspect an electrical problem or the injection pump itself.

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99 2500 QC 4X4 AUTO SB 24V LARAMIE SLT 3. 5 LSD 285-75-16'S SPA Boost/EGT Rancho 9000's Everything but leather NRA Member Great Lakes TDR Member

 

[monkfarm]

bill, it sounds like the problem I had when the crankshaft sensor went. I thought it was the fuel filter for sure (because I hadn't changed it for a while). It shut down, then when I fired up, started missing. I changed the filter, but it didn't look dirty at all. It ran fine, and I happened to be going to the dodge dealer (Winona Chrysler- fine people) anyway, and asked them to check it out, it turned a fault was stored (??in the cumputer codes???) and it was a faulty crankshaft sensor. It sounds crazy to me, but evidently it senses where the crank is and provides timing for the fuel pump. Hope you find the problem, but it sounds identical. . .

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'99 3500 Quadcab Laramie SLT with customized aluminum flatbed
B&D bombed with Jakebrake, firestone air bags; 3. 54 gears
5 speed,6X4, truck mirrors, trailer towing, and camper pkgs; magview pumpkin cover
Ranger Cb with Messenger kicker; Amsoiled throughout. . .
2000 Peterbilt 379 with Cummins N14plus 500 hp
13 speed fuller, 70 inch Unibilt sleeper
American Class

 

[dieselburner]

Originally posted by LSMITH:
Bill, I have had a fuel filter clog up almost entirely with wax and gelled fuel. It did not just shut off, but lost power in the upper RPM's. As the clogging got worse the RPM where it would pull hard got lower and lower till it would not pull over 2000 RPM with a load on the engine. After a filter change it ran like a top and has since, I also carry a spare fiter with me at all times now. Your problem does not sound like a fuel filter to me. I would suspect an electrical problem or the injection pump itself.

I got some bad fuel in Utah or Arizona a couple years ago and noticed on the way home to CA that the truck wasn't running real strong. I was pulling my 13. 5 k fifth wheel. Since I had changed out the filter before the trip, I thought that it would be ok but got a bad load at one of those country fuel stations I guess. The truck still ran ok, just not real strong. I got home and changed it out and that got it back to full power. I now carry a spare filter. I don't think that this is your problem unless it is plugged bad.
Steve (invaded the overvalved forum)

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1998 2500 Quad Cab, 12V, 5spd, 4x4, HD Transfer Case, 370HP Diamond B Injectors, #4 TST, 16cm2 Housing, AFC Spring Kit, BD Governor Spring Kit and other governor modifications, Walker Muffler, 285/75-16 BFG AT's, Stainless Steel Tube Steps, Reese Fifth Wheel Hitch, Leather, CD, LSD Dana 80 Rear, 60 Front, McLeod Dual Disc Clutch, Rancho RS9000 Shocks, Rancho Steering Stabilizer, ATS Exhaust Manifold, Psychotty Air Induction, BD Exhaust Brake, Enterprise Engine Delivery Valves

 

[trning]

Usually a plugged fuel filter will give the same symptoms as running out of fuel. You can idle but when you get on it it misses or lacks power.

 

[_Hyde]

Never had one plug up like that on my current truck or on my '96. I kept the filters changed like clockwork. But at 900 miles that'll make you stop and go, hmmmm! When I drove trucks from time to time I would get out on the road and get knocked down to 30mph on a slight rise and after getting the filters changed I would be good to go. I carry the tools I need to change oil & both filters on the truck but have the neither the oil or the filters in right now, how smart is that? Guess I'll put my extra fuel filter in the truck tonight just in case. I'd rather carry it around and not need it...

Darren


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2001. 5 2500 4X4 SLT, ETH/DEE, 275s, Amsoiled, Mag-Hytec, Walker 21468, Passenger Side Grab Handle That DC No Longer Installs as of 7-00, Michael Brolin CB Mount, 26K@050701, ICQ: 103247365, IM: xxtreme223

 

[Bill Stockard]

monkfarm,

When your crankshaft sensor went out, did the "Check Engine" light come on?

I am inclined to think it might be the lift pump. My engine number is just below the number series that was included in the replacement program. Engine numbers were 56662576 to 56671920--our engine number is 56661230.

Another TDR friend who has a truck that is about the same age(11-99 build date) had his go out at around 21,000 miles which is where our truck is now. He also had the same symtoms. I talked to him this evening about it. His engine was above the number series that was in the service program too. Since the lift pump was replaced, the truck hasn't acted up again.

Thanks everyone for the replies.

Bill

[This message has been edited by Bill Stockard (edited 05-24-2001). ]

 

[Bill Stockard]

Followup

I took the truck to my dealer(appointment at 8 AM) and he checked the lift pump pressure at the injection pump. Readings were 8 PSI at idle and the pressure gradually dropped as the RPM increased to 0 PSI at 2500 RPM. Also checked for fault codes. One saying "Transfer Pump Out of Range" They replaced the pump and hopefully that will cure the problem.



Bill

 

[dresslered]

I had the crankshaft position sensor completely die when I drove it off the dealer lot (7-miles) when the truck was new. This will not kill the engine. The check engine light will come on, the tach will die, and it will run really rough but it won't die. Apparently, without the crankshaft position sensor the engine will go to a "default" setting so that you can still get home. I would look elsewhere for your problem.

 

[B. Gill]

could be a lift pump also that is on its way out or already is,have the i would have the it checked by the dealer.

bob

 

[Evan A. Beck]

Poor performance, low fuel economy, and a stumble are all symptoms of a plugged filter and/or a bad lift pump.



I have seen more than a few trucks come through our shop with clogged filters. One was a '99 with 59,000 miles on it, and still had the original filter. THe other one was worse, a '98. 5 with 73,000 miles, and on the original filter. It was so black, and when I pulled it out, it was literally dripping what looked like engine oil. The truck barely ran. Before I replaced the filter on that truck, I did a fuel pressure test. Pre-filter pressure was 14 psi, and post-filter pressure was 1 psi.



I change mine at every oil change, which is every 10,000 miles. I recommend changing it at least every 15,000 miles.

 

[Bill Stockard]

Latest Followup

After nearly 3,000 miles on the new transfer and driving in Colorado and northern New Mexico with many mountain passes, the truck hasn't missed a beat. Runs like a charm and is getting 14 MPG in the mountains hauling the Lance.



I will be installing a fuel pressure gauge in the near future. Evidently, my problem was a weak(failing) transfer pump.



Bill

 

[Chaw]

Glad to hear your truck is running better. I am also going to look into a fuel pressure guage after reading this. Since my truck came on the same train as yours, I will be checking mine!

 

[Bill Stockard]

Chaw,



Not a bad idea... ... .



Cya Saturday the 14th at the BDDDC Meeting at Bic's.



Bill