Fixed Blue Smoke at Start-up problem

[HEMI®Dart]

I read in a post awhile back that Mikepvg (Thanks Mike) changed the quad O-ring that's above the fuel heater element and that cleaned up the blue smoke at start-up. I couldn't see how this would effect it at all. First if the o-ring was bad, you'd probably leak fuel and/or suck air into the fuel system. I figured I would change it anyway. It's a simple and cheap fix.



After changing the O-ring, any hint of blue smoke at start-up is gone. Nothing. No smoke of any color. I still can't believe it.





The OEM O-ring looked in good shape. A little worn, but didn't appear not to be sealing.



The O-ring is Fleetguard Part # 383418500 S. About . 30 cents.



Directions:



1. ) Remove fuel strainer



2. ) Get an 8mm or 5/16" allen wrench. I used a 1/4" drive allen head socket. The bolt to drop the heating element is recessed up into the heater. You'll need to use the long end of the wrench. This didn't work. Its pretty tight. A 3/8" drive 8mm allen socket is too wide to fit up into the hole to get to the bolt.



3. ) unsrcrew heating element bolt, drop element, remove old O-ring. Place new O-ring into the groove, and carefully raise it up back into position. Make sure the electrical connector is seated back into its slot in the housing. I did 99% of the work from under the truck.



You want to drop the black piece above the strainer bowl & screen and replace the upper O-ring that seals it to the housing. See below:

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From Fritz's web Page:



Posted to the TDR Forum by Mikepvg: While the strainer assembly is removed, check the Fuel Heater Element quad O-ring gasket on top of the heater element for signs of deterioration. After you remove the pre-filter bowl, you have access to the allen screw that will allow the heater element to be removed. NOTE: This screw appears in the service manual diagrams, but no mention of it is made in the instructions. All can be accessed from top of engine compartment. The pre-filter screen kit has the quad ring for the BOTTOM of the heater element & is a different size than the top one. One member posted that replacing replaced BOTH quad rings reduced the amt of blue smoke on start up & WOT substantially. The PN is Fleetguard 3834185-S & cost only . 66 cents from Cummins

 

[HEMI®Dart]

 

[KB0OU]

My strainer has been leaking ever since I let a mechanic check my strainer. Now I know why, no new seal,, I am going to get both seals and do it right myself. It is always better to do it right the first time.

 

[cumminsgetme]

Hemi,

I am going to replace both seals today. I have had an ongoing problem with popping at high rpm under full throttle. I initially thought it was sucking air, but later decided to live with the fact that there is not enough internal timing in my little pump. Problem: some people with the little pumps have this popping, others don't. If these o-rings cure the problem I will forever love you as this has been an ongoing pain in my a$$.

-Cord

 

[cumminsgetme]

Why am I surrounded by idiots?

Hemi,

I went to my local cummins dealer and had no luck getting the part. I thought it would about a two minute deal. He11 I even had the part number. I pulled the screen out (in there parking lot) and showed them the bottom gasket I was talking about. Any how, no luck there. I then went to my local dodge dealer and proceeded to walk him through the steps of what the part is, where it is located, and what it does. Then had to physically look the part up myself on his computer. He said, "well-uh... I'm not familiar with that part. " ..... yeah... no kidding. Any ways, I couldn't find the parts as single items but he said he can order a rebuild kit for $26. I asked him what was in the kit so that I would know if it contained the parts I needed. He says, "well... . I don't know what's in the kit. " Is there any more information on this part that I am missing? Or are these guys just idiots? I think this could be part of my "popping" problem as the bottom gasket was pretty brittle.

Thanks for any help Hemi,

-Cord

 

[Cooker]

Here is a link that should help you out. I bought an installed the rebuild kit from Cummins (Fleetguard part, for $7) but it did not contain the upper O-Ring. I went to my Cummins dealer to get the upper with part number in hand, and they didn't have one.



http://dodgeram.org/tech/dsl/filter/pre-filt_clean.htm



-Ryan

 

[KB0OU]

DAH

I went to Cummins today, no such part availabe, got to buy the whole assembly!!!!! NOT!!!!!

I will take it apart and go to NAPA for a couple of o-rings first.

I hate it when they do that to me!!!



Mad in Joplin!!!!

 

[Cooker]

They just didn't want to look hard enough for you. At first the parts guys at Cummins Michigan said that wasn't a proper part number either, but after a few minutes we were all on the same page and they ordered on for me.



-Ryan

 

[HEMI®Dart]

They may need to order the gasket if they don't stock it. Minimum 3 I think? Sometimes the 2 zeros are on the end of the part #. They are on my gasket package label? The website won't take them.



From the Fleetguard online catalog: (Copy this if and bring it to Cummins if needed)



http://www.fleetguard.com/en/catalo...RGS=/en/catalog/ws_item.jhtml_A&_DAV=3834185S





Remember, this is only the top O-ring (above) that goes above the heater assembly. The lower O-ring ( strainer bowl) is only available in the prefilter replacement kit. Midas well get the prefilter kit too. ( $7. 00) see below:



http://www.fleetguard.com/en/catalo...RGS=/en/catalog/ws_item.jhtml_A&_DAV=3845400S



Good thinking KB0OU. If you can match one up from NAPA, post the p/n. It will save us alot of aggravation. Make sure its combatible with diesel fuel. Plain rubber may not be