fuel system problem?

[handforgedworks]

for a week or so I've been experiencing rough starts, white smoke, sputtering engine noise while driving. Starting from a standstill is choppy and rough. Check engine light came on today when it was at it's choppiest yet. It has been doing this 75% of the time since it started. Doesn't seem to make a difference whether hot or cold.

Basic diesel knowledge tells me it's a fuel issue. Bad injectors? Failing pump(s)? Tank full of crap/fuel residue?

Thoughts? I've consulted a TDI expert friend. He agreed with my suspicions. I've yet to bring it to the local Cummins guy. Not psyched...

Am I possibly looking at new injectors, inline filtration, new pumps??? Nothing performance on the truck besides S+B air intake. Not looking to go beyond good quality replacements.

Thank you for your time.

 

[handforgedworks]

just turned over 117K

 

[cerberusiam]

Likely injectors, maybe worn or just gummed up. Do you run additives? Have you done an injector cleaning? When was the last time you hooked up a heavy trailer and worked the engine hard?

Drain your fuel filter housing into a glass container and let it settle, that will tell you something about fuel quality. If there is nothing obvious an injector cleaning would be the cheap and easy place to start. After that it gets harder and a lot more expensive.

 

[handforgedworks]

I run Diesel Source occasionally. Beyond that, just run what I believe is the best fuel in my area (Irving). The truck is only used to haul heavy loads once a month or so. I've been running loads of logs/firewood every couple weeks lately. It's mostly a commuter and light/medium load hauler.

Draining fuel into a mason jar and swapping filter momentarily... Thanks.

 

[handforgedworks]

draining the filter yielded less than ideal results. Looks like Irving's tanks are a bit rusty... There was some particulate on the bottom of the jar. A few pieces of 1/64" flake that appear to be rust. One chunk was easily 1/16" dia. No bueno.

Check engine light went off. The major sputtering seems to have stopped, but it's still running choppy. Blowing random puffs of white smoke as opposed to constant.

What do you recommend for injector cleaning? A fluid additive or remove and clean the injectors?

 

[handforgedworks]

also, would NOW be a good time for some additional filtration? I'll poke around on here, but I'm not too savvy with what's what.

Is cleaning the fuel tank something that should be considered?

 

[cerberusiam]

If you have that much sediment in the bowl afraid the time is past for additional filtration to do much good. Definitely need it for the new injectors. Glacier Diesel has kits that will allow you to put a high flow 3 um filter between the OE filter and the CP-3, that is about the best soultion out there. Using the Blawin filter in the OE housing is also a good idea if you suspect fuel issues.

You can try cleaning by draining the filter housing then filling it with either SeaFoam or BG or favorite injector cleaner. Let it run for a minute and let sit for 12-24 hours. If you are going to remove them might as replace them with new as cleaning is not going to solve the issues of damage. If the cleaner in the filter housing doesn't make drastic improvements plan on a new set of injectors.

If you suspect a lot of crud in the tank cleaning is probably a good idea. Don't want all the stuff floating in the bottom to keep coming thru.

 

[handforgedworks]

thanks, cerberusiam. I'll look into all of the above and take the necessary steps. And start a kickstarter campaign to fund this project... haha