Gutless!

[Chace TX]

I have apx 3400 miles on my three week old Dodge. I have had 3 other CTD's in the past and they were all great vehicles and had excellent power. I hooked onto a 32' three axle stock trailer today to help my friend move. We loaded some appliances and a riding mower and some other outdoor stuff in it. I would guess total weight to be about 8000lbs. It took forever to get to speed and then I lost about 5mph on the small hills. Will this get better after proper break in? Will it help to complain to the dealer (I seriously doubt it with these world class "mechanics")? I know I need to get gauges, EZ, injectors and the like, they are in the future plans, but I want everything running right first. I am very familiar with the 12valvers, but every thing I know about the 24v I have read here in the last three weeks. Thanks.

 

[Texas Diesel]

My 24 valve needs to see 2200 RPM to make some power. Get an EZ and it'll pull from idle.

 

[DennyDay]

Chance: You shouldn't have that kind of problem. Check all the clamps on your turbo system, and make sure they are not leaking, also check the air intake on the filter box to make sure it isn't blocked. And just for grins and giggles make sure the turbo is turning when the engine runs. You'll get a better idea when you get to install a boost gage.

Denny

 

[work2muchplay2little]

Chase TX, here's a place to get started: http://dodgeram.org/tech/tsb/1999/18-21-99.htm using the 0-60 times for comparison. This web site of fellow TDR member Dave Fritz is a gold mine of information. Good luck!

 

[Chace TX]

Maybe I expected too much. I checked the 40-60mph time. The TSB showed with 245 tires, I have 265, that it should be 8. 0seconds. It only took me 7seconds, oat was about 90degrees. I pulled the trailer again and if I wound it to 3000 then shifted it seemed to pull a little better. I just thought it would have more power than this. Oh yea, went to dealership yesterday to drive another new 5speed, just to see if I could tell a seat of the pants difference. No noticeable difference, except I could tell the a/c did not get cold or even cool in the test vehicle. Amazing, a brand new pickup on the line with no a/c. The dealer I bought mine from is a friend of mine, I complained to him of low power and he said that he had sold two Cummins that were low on power and both of them blew up (knock, knock) and had to be replaced within 25,000 miles. I hope to have better luck than them.

 

[Vaughn MacKenzie]

Chace, when my truck had 600 miles on it I towed 6,000lbs. It did it easily, no trouble cruising at 65-70 even up moderate hills with a fair amount of throttle left. I would say you are definitely down on power. When I was stock, 40-60 times were around 6. 5 seconds (note 2wd in sig. )



Vaughn

 

[work2muchplay2little]

I'd suggest you try out an Edge EZ box. You may be able to find a local TDR member who will let you borrow one. 5 minutes to about 50-60 HP increase. Easy to take out, no wires pierced if you need warranty work. Would advise EGT gauge with this but isn't absolutely necessary. Stock transmission should hold up fine with just the EZ.

 

[Floor It]

Chase TX - I have the HO and I too was disapointed. I exhausted all options. Cummins told me that the power is there, only that the AFC part of the computer has to keep things from being too rich-black soot- and keep NOX emission gasses down. so it takes longer to get to the power I was told to do heavy towing until paint is burned off exhaust manifold.

 

[SmokinJoe]

Originally posted by Chace TX

We loaded some appliances and a riding mower and some other outdoor stuff in it. I would guess total weight to be about 8000lbs. It took forever to get to speed and then I lost about 5mph on the small hills.

Do you have gauges in it?



What was your boost readings?



What were your EGT readings?



Wre you lugging it?



What speed were you going?





I have only 5,000 miles on my RAM. I pulled a 2,800 lb car on a 2,000 lb trailer with 4 people in my truck. I set the cruise at 75 mpg and it never backed down. The hills in Michigan between Saginaw and Grayling are not that great, but enough to slow down gassers with the cruise set...