Finally Got a Cummins! But What do I know?

[VanMeter]

Just aquired a 2001 4x4 quad cab SLT HO 6 speed with 60K mi. , sprayed in liner, tuck away gooseneck hitch and full replacement grill guard/bumper. It has mods like a scotty II air cleaner, Banks High Ram, Banks Exhaust and I don't know what else. Got it from a dealer as a trade in. I can tell that it hasn't been worked too hard but not a pampered city truck either. It has some personality quirks that I need to know about.



The trans is hard to get into reverse and sometimes second gear

after it's been driven for a while and warm. When I let the clutch out in neutral, I hear the RPM surge like the clutch and trans is being brought up to speed from still. Rolling the truck a little doesn't always help it go into reverse, driving it shifts great. It's not making any noise that I notice. Is this common?



The wastegate on the turbo has no vacume line hooked up... Is this normal? I get a decent puff of smoke when shifting but clears up quickly. The boost guage has gone as high as about 30+ lbs. and EGT has hit maby 1150 pulling my boat up some good grades. There is no plate on the turbo and I think it has been split by the looks of the bolts and flange.



Front of engine has oil residue from a breather attached to the timing cover? Am I right to assume that is where it is coming from? It works it's way to the bottom of the engine and is not enough to drip.



ABS brakes feel a little week at times. I'm running 295 75 R16 BFG AT tires and I wouldn't think that there trying to break loose.



Last question is how do I tell if there has been a "CHIP" or computer mod to the rig? Don't see a box, where would it be?



I LOVE THIS ENGINE and have had three Fords (7. 3 and two Power Strokes) which were fine but I found my mechanical soul-mate.

 

[socal_rattler]

First off... . welcome to the club!



I can't help you with your first two questions, but I can with the others.



The drip you describe is from the crankcase breather bottle. I recommend you take the bottle off, extend the hose down and tie it off. The mess on the front of the motor will go away.



My ABS brakes also feel funny at times, to the point that I was not confident in them when I first got the truck. They still act weird at times, but I gather this is just the way they are. My daughter has a Dakota and it has terrible brakes.



As far as a fueling box is concerned, they usually connect into the MAP and ECM lines. You will see them towards the back of the drivers side of the engine. The box is normally mounted on top of the fuse box, but I have seen them 'hidden'.



Good luck with the new toy!

 

[Pit Bull]

VanMeter welcome and congrats on the new truck. Here are 16 threads on the 6 speed that address shifting problems.

https://www.turbodieselregister.com...d=336580&sortby=lastpost&sortorder=descending



I suggest you take it to the dealer and have the transmission fluid changed and also document that you are having a hard time shifting into 2nd and reverse. Is your driveline warranty covered for 7 years and 70K miles or for a while they had a 5 year 100K mile coverage on the driveline, I think in 01, should be in your glove box with the owners manual. Hope this helps.

 

[Sticks]

Mine is a little cranky going into reverse, I just got used to it, and know the trick. I look at it as a theft deterrent. If they can't get it into reverse, they can't back it out of my driveway. My second gear is fine. I think the surging/RPM thing that your are describing is normal. Mine does it, and the other three manual CTDs that I test drove did it.



If you are getting 30psi of boost, and no check engine light, you have a box somewhere. Look where socal_rattler indicated (about 3 inches towards the cab from the fuel filter) If you see a wire harness attached to that sensor sticking out of the engine

that has two connections real close to eachother, follow the wires and it will lead you to the gold.



Good choice on the 6 speed! Enjoy your new toy!

 

[VanMeter]

I Think I found it. The harness runs all the way to under the scotty II and the box is screwed aginst the firewall with three plugs facing out. It is silver (brushed aluminum) plate with a cast aluminum case about 5"x7" or so. It has some stickers that I can almost read stating something about software updates and several numbers. I guess I will have to remove it to view the top and see what I have. This is the GOLD isn't it?



Now, to see if it has upgraded injectors, do I pull the valve cover or would I be able to tell anyway. This guy seems to have been into the "HOT DIESEL" stuff. There is a braided SS fuel line with "AN" fittings from the filter to the pump. I love this guy!



This is the best forum I have ever seen. I'll try to get some pics posted and I really appreciate the imput.



Thanks,

 

[duaneparks]

Welcome to the club! There's a group of guys possibly getting together in Kerrville in June:



https://www.turbodieselregister.com/forums/showthread.php?s=&threadid=72493



Check it out! Have fun and enjoy that truck.



Duane

 

[Pit Bull]

Originally posted by VanMeter



This guy seems to have been into the "HOT DIESEL" stuff. There is a braided SS fuel line with "AN" fittings from the filter to the pump. I love this guy!

Did the dealer tell you when you bought this truck that it came with no warranty? If they told you it had a 5 year 100K engine warranty then make sure you take it back to only them to have any warranty work done. With the bombs you have on your truck any other dealer will cancel your warranty if you have any problem. You might even want to discuss this with them even before you need any warranty work done. Hope this helps.

 

[Sticks]

Originally posted by VanMeter

I Think I found it. The harness runs all the way to under the scotty II and the box is screwed aginst the firewall with three plugs facing out. It is silver (brushed aluminum) plate with a cast aluminum case about 5"x7" or so. It has some stickers that I can almost read stating something about software updates and several numbers. I guess I will have to remove it to view the top and see what I have. This is the GOLD isn't it?



Thanks,

NO!!!

I hope you have not pulled that yet. That is your trucks brain. You need that. I apologize, I should have been more clear in my instructions. Have you gone to the banks site to look at their stuff?



Here is a pic of thier comp box.



Of course he may have any number of different brand X boxes in there. If you followed the wires out from the MAP sensor to under the air cleaner, and there were no other connections real close to eachother just after the sensor screws into the engine, I don't know what to tell you, other than 30# of boost with no boost fouler is not normal

 

[willyslover]

VanMeter. . Sticks has you on the wrong side of your motor with the Air Filter statment [correct in his first post ]... you boxes hook up on the driver side of the motor... the Map sensor is below and to the rear of the fuel filter [closer to the driver].



there are two computers in your motor compartment. . one is the Cummins one on the motor [center lower driverside, don't muss with it] the other is the one you found, it's the DC computer on the firewall passenger side[don't muss with that one either].



My guess if you have upgraded fuel lines as stated. . you have upgraded Injectors [also seen by the boost #'s you see]. . keep looking for a fueling box, several brands out there... look for labels like Edge Power, TST, Ottomind [Banks Brand]. . they have at least two connections [within about 4 or 5 " of each other, one being the Map sensor]. . some also have another wire that tap a wire at the injector pump with a scotch lock or remove and replace the top cover of the Injector pump with an after market cover that taps the same wire only inside the Injector pump via a pin prick piercing stud on the cover.

 

[rubberneck]

Apart from whats been said, the turbo looks like it has been "split" because it probably has. Part of the banks power kits is a 14 cm wastegated exhaust housing. Also, the hard shifting could be due to the clutch. With 60 k miles, and a little power, it may be giving up on you. No big deal, because if you add more power. (which you will ) you will smoke it soon enough. Put a good clutch in and call it done.

 

[Sticks]

Originally posted by willyslover

VanMeter. . Sticks has you on the wrong side of your motor with the Air Filter statment [correct in his first post ]... you boxes hook up on the driver side of the motor... the Map sensor is below and to the rear of the fuel filter [closer to the driver].

Willyslover - I started him on the correct side for the MAP sensor. He followed the wiring around to the computer under the air filter. I was hoping he would find the double connections real close to eachother, and the MAP sensor, and follow that "new/not OEM" wiring to a mystery box.



What needs to be done, is for VanMeter to hook up with a local TDR member who knows his BOMBs, and look it over.

 

[Hohn]

Yeah, second that idea on hooking up with a TDR local.



As for the brakes, do you have the rear discs or drums? They switched to rear discs in 2001, about halfway through the year. If you have the drums, then the weak braking is a common complaint. EGR Severe Service Brakes can provide you with a system that will haul your huge CTD down from speed fast enough that you will have to check your fillings to be sure they're still in. Link:http://www.off-road.com/dodge/reviews/egrbrakes/



As for the shifting problem-- it is likely your clutch. 60K with the power turned up (even a little) can be more than enough to knock out the OEM wuss of a clutch. Grab a South Bend Con FE and you won't slip it until you are almost beyond streetable power. Make sure if you get a clutch to have the pilot bearing replaced and to get the flywheel resurfaced properly (on an actual flywheel machine, not a mill or something).



There is no doubt that your truck has had some kind of poewr enhancement done to it. NO STOCK CTD will exceed 20-21 psi of boost-- the ECM will defuel to prevent that much boost from happening. A box and/or injectors is required to hit the 30 psi you are seeing.



Do you see Banks stuff on your truck anywhere? Some of it you may want to keep. Willys is right on here: you probably have bigger injectors.



The fuel line setup is good-- you probably got a good setup there as long as it's not leaking. Do you have anodized aluminum fittings to the very ends? If so, someone did their homework and installed the Weber fittings (which is a BOMB in my future).



I can't comment on the turbo fittings. I DO know that there should be a rubber line from a brass elbow on the turbo housing to the wastegate. Can you determine if you have the stock turbo/housing assembly?



HOHN

 

[VanMeter]

Hey guys, thanks for the imput this far. Just to let everyone concerned know, I did realize that it was the factory box under the Scotty II. I hadn't noticed one in the few other CTD's I had looked at because stock air cleaners do a better job of hiding them. Thought that it might have been it (with an extended harness) until I got a look under the hood of a 2003. I was given good directions by "STICKS" and I screwed up by looking too hard. I flat can't find anything pluged in that looks out of the ordinary. All I can say is I have produced 32lbs. of boost (in 6th gear pulling from about 1500 rpm) and some pretty serious smoke with impressive power!



HOHN



It has drums on the back and I will look into the upgrade. They stop great one time and may feel a little soft the next. I had already thought of finding a disk setup from a newer wrecked truck. But is the problem more with the ABS circuitry? The clutch is what I was thinking also but I will start with a lube change in everything that holds it. I know the clutch is inevitable at some point and I like your advice. There are anodized fittings (aircraft style) at both end of the fuel line between the injector pump and the filter. It's a nice setup. It has the Banks High Ram intake and the complete SS Banks exhaust with an ATS 3 piece exhaust manifold. The turbo is a Holset but the plate is missing on it. The exhaust side of the turbo looks normal? and the pipe "bells" out to the larger (4") diameter past the cast iron portion of the turbo. I do have a feeling that the turbo was split but can't be sure. It was pointed out to me by "RUBBERNECK" that it might have a 14cm exhaust housing.



I would love for someone to look at it when the there is a chance plus I think that I can get in contact with the last owner now after doing some research, I think I found out who owned it prior to me. If I do talk to him, I will let everyone know what is tucked under the hood.



THANKS FOR THE INFO EVERYONE!

 

[Sticks]

We should start a pool.



Now that we know that it smokes, and shoots right by the stock boost error code,... .



Could be a re-programed ECM, injectors, and bigger turbo.



Hmmmm.

 

[midwestdually]

amazing... simply amazing... what did u pay for this beast?

 

[VanMeter]

$24,500 was the lowest they would go... not sure if it was a great deal or not but I'm happy and that's what matters, right?



One thing that I never noticed before is how many "modified" CTD's there are around where I live (Kerrville, TX). A lot of working ranches so trucks are a prominant mode of transportation. I've had more than one CTD see that I smoke when running through the gears and have been invited to race a few times, usually by someone a little younger than myself. Havn't taken anyone up on it, afraid I'd probably hit reverse instead of 5th in the excitement



One thing is for sure... THIS IS FUN!