Had the TSB 18-037-04 done...still have white smoke

[PondMedic]

Just curious if anyone else continues to experience white smoke and rough idle upon a cold start... even after having the TSB 18-037-04 reflash done?



Saw my fuel milage go up on the overhead about 1. 5 or 2 mpg after the reflash, but I still have the smoke and rough idle.



I'm thinking it could be an injector issue. Anyone had to replace a bad injector on a 04. 5?



BTW... truck has 8700 miles on it.

 

[klenger]

There have been a few issues with bad injectors on the 04. 5's (not mine). That seems to be the next logical place to look. Good luck.



I like the way you did your signature. Where are you located.

 

[Apence]

Yes I still have the white smoke and rough idle after the reflash, but im not surprised that was the 8th time my truck has been in for similar issues and dodge can neither fix the problem or step up and stand behind their product, even with my lawyer, so I guess its something to live with.

 

[klenger]

Apence: Which dealer?

 

[Apence]

Klenger, Its been to Bill Breck 4 times and 4 times at Lou Grubb in Phoenix where I bought it. I take it you dont have and have never had the white smoke, rough idle, hesitation problem? What dealer do you use? Thanks... . Adam

 

[RKerner]

Yes I still have the white smoke and rough idle after the reflash, ... so I guess its something to live with.

Go buy some Valvoline injector cleaner. I have run 2 bottles through mine and the white smoke thing is gone, even with a really low tank. I won't make claims that it will work on everyone's 600 but, mine would blow smoke anytime it didn't start within 1 1/2 seconds of cranking. Now it can crank for up to 3-3. 5 seconds without rough starts, smoke, etc. I'm still tracking if there are any mileage claims to be had by using the stuff.

 

[Apence]

Thanks RKerner I have ran other additives without any change, bit I will give it a try

 

[sag2]

Apence, the smoke should not be there until the ambient is below about 50 degrees. You should not be seeing it when the weather is warm. That's why no one complained about the smoke this summer.

 

[MChildress]

I havn't had a white smoke problem yet,but did gain a little over a mile to the gallon with the tsb 18-037-04 flash. Hand calculated milage running empty went from low 15's to low 16's and power feels the same.

 

[OT-OF-HERE!!]

Injector problems

Injectors for 04. 5 are very expensive. The dealer has to have it blessed by STAR so they are very reluctant to move on it. You'll have to be persistant. Also it's very time consuming as they have to follow STAR's check list to determine which one or one's are bad. I spent a great deal of time and effort in pursuit of a fix for what you described. It was indeed injectors. In my case I had 3 replaced after about a 10 day ordeal. For about two days it was ok,... then more white smoke. I waited about two more weeks and got tired of it and embarrased when I'd start it at work. Back I went and another almost two week period and 3 more (all of the original six) were replaced and then before it left the dealership one of those went bad. You got it,... 7 new injectors. So yes,... 04. 5s can and do have injector problems.



My truck is perfect now and there is zero white smoke. It runs smooth and the power comes on better than it ever had before. I think at least one was bad when I first got the truck and didn't know it. In retrospect I have concluded since I now have no problem that my problem may have been in part caused by where I was fueling. I immediately changed fueling sites and have since gone to using Stanadyne (thanks to input from members) on everyother fill up. I also went to a FASS which hopefully will help to insure cleaner fuel delivery. Hope this help you. Remember,... be persistant.

 

[klenger]

I bought my truck from a dealer in Denver (Broadway Dodge), but have had both my 01. 5 and 04. 5 to Breck Dodge w/o any problems, but the only service I have needed are oil changes and the two reflashes for the 04. 5. Breck did replace the A/C compressor in my 01. 5 under warranty. I've never had any problems with their work.

 

[Apence]

I agree the white smoke should not be present in warm temperatures there is definately something wrong however its been in 7 times on my own and once for the final attempt after turning it over to a lemon law attorney and still not fixed, Im disapointed but whats the alternative chevy or ford I dont think so, Ill keep the embarassing dodge, when people ask whats wrong with it, i just tell them that dodge says this thing is perfect and up to all of their specs, so I think its more embarassing for them.

 

[LHolland]

Mine's in the shop now

with the white smoke problem. Mine does it more in warmer weather than in cold. I think it has something to do with the heater grid coming on and warming the air more than when the smoke appears.

The dealer called and left me a message saying that they could not duplicate the problem. I think it's because they leave it outside and it's been getting in the low 50's by morning.

Yes I did have the flash done earlier this month. I've seen no real change in mileage. I've been getting 17-18mpg and high 19's on a trip empty. Power seems better on lower end but does not have the same pull above 1800rpm.

I'll keep hounding them, I too think the problem is injector(s).

 

[GBechtold]

Is it me or does it seem like Mother Mopar went downhill in customer relations since the Krauts took over!! :-laf

_________________________________________________________________

91 W250 dually, fifth wheel, Kelderman air ride, a borrowed hair dryer with a

16cm housing, and the fuel turned up.

 

[PondMedic]

Thanks everyone for your input. Looks like I'll be taking it to Dodge soon to have them find and replace the bad injector(s). I find it hard to believe that so many of these vehicles have injector problems and Dodge won't put out a TSB or recall to fix the problem! Didn't we pay good $$$ for these trucks?



Klenger... BTW... the signature was done using the backslash key (right under the backspace key)... make sure you push "shift" first. This will give you the "|".

 

[Lonestar]

Well aren't you just the computer hacker PondMedic. If you'd get off of these diesel junkie forums you might be something someday :-{}



KEEP ON TRUCKIN'

Lonestar

 

[Sfarris]

Yep, injector cleaner did the deal for me as well! Almost immediately! And to think, the dealer kept it for three days and replaces a couple of grand in parts. I called my retired, non diesel mechanic dad, and he through out the injector cleaner suggestion without even thinking.



Amazing how much smarter he has gotten than when I was a teenager!

 

[PJ]

I had the tsb done. It didnt do much as far as mileage but if I didnt have smoke before, I sure as heck have it now. It goes away after a mile or so. Just looks like Im driving a 200,000 mile truck to everyone on the block. I might mention that we dont have a mosquito problem here anymore. My truck has killed them! :-laf :-laf :-laf

The dealer tried to tell me that all 600's smoke and I will have to live with it. Hmmmmmmmm

 

[GVancil]

Flash tomorrow

Will take my new 2004. 5 in tomorrow for TSB 18-037-04. I am also going to tell them to hold off fixing the driver door seal until the new permanent seal is available. I also have a very faint "whine" on acceleration around 1500 rpm. Don't know if this is the "ping" everyone is talking about, but will have them check it out. Getting lots of black soot on the fancy white bumper. Is this normal?

I'll update signature when I figure out how to do so.