Engine/Transmission (1998.5 - 2002) Have a Miss?

[Tom L]

Hello all, Happy Holidays!



Ok to the miss quetion. . my 02 w 101,678 miles has what feels like a miss, at cold start up you have got to pay attention, after a road trip, 30 or more miles upon stopping it is very noticable! After shutting down for any length of time, 15 mins or more when start up its barely noticable again. I have watched econo readout and at 72 mph still getting 16-17 mpg and this has been normal for 40m miles. It has a new VP44 maybe 5000 miles ago, never had valve adj checked, truck seems to have same power as always, but a miss or whatever is not going to heal itself. New fuel filter less than 2000 miles ago, and just replaced LP. Anyone input by fellow TDR members appreciated. Tom L



02 2500,Xtd Cab, 2wd, relocated LP, New VP44, AT, 4:10 Gears

 

[obert]

Sounds like what mine and otheres have been doing for years..... apparently its just a quirk of the VP?? Mine used to be more random, sounds like its stronger on one cyl now. It goes away with a light load such as A/C clutch or loading up steering pump by turning to lock or standing on the brake pedal.



Would love to find the cause... ...

 

[mhenon]

Have you checked for codes?

Mike

 

[mhenon]

The first time I had a "miss" it was the beginning of the end for the VP.

Mike

 

[Tom L]

Missing

If the miss would have been there since installation of new VP I might say maybe its the nature but I have been around diesel engines long enuff to know it isn't a "nature of beast thing", old vp didnt do this and new did not do it til just recently. IMHO its an injector, but dealer is going to check it next week. TY for input guys. Tom L.

 

[Oil Burner]

I had that on my '01. I ran 3 sets of different injectors all had a miss at idle when warm and 2 sets were pop tested and shimmed right at 305 bar.



I never figured it out and I had it for about 20k miles before i sold the truck. Still had the original VP with no codes.

 

[obert]

Tom, your situation may be different than my example. My miss showed up with the new VP in the fall of '01, nearly 100k miles ago. I have heard other trucks doing the same, have asked and been asked about it, unfourtuneatly the only answer so far is "thats the way it is". I too have been around long enough to know its not right. As above, its changed a little over the years, plus some other emabarrassing history, I'm thinkin a nice new set of 275's will make it purr again. Even if it doesn't, I'll still have to smile... ...

 

[VHolloway]

What Do The People A Cummins Say?

I Would Trust Them Over The Dodge Dealer

 

[Lordsman]

Poor fuel can cause a miss. I had a very severe miss that went away after I used up that tank, added a can of BK44, 16oz. Pwr. Svc. or Stanadyne, and filled up at a truck stop. I still get a slight miss sometimes I only notice at idle. Try to use fuel treatment at each fillup, and find fuel your truck runs best on. I use truck stop fuel as much as possible. I'm running on the original injection pump and 3rd LP at 105k.

 

[Tom L]

Miss

Thanks for the replys. I have tried some additives and no change have ran over 150 gals of fuel thru sys since miss started, one thing tho just one time prior to stating of miss upon start up it smoked blue heavily, never before,never since, it may never go away or be cured but its irratating as heck, when it was running so smooth after new vp44 and LP. Wednesday the dealer will look at it, taking it there because they installed new VP, next will be Cummins after reading a lot in tech/serv manual. Its just odd that when stopping after hiway driving its very noticiable shaking/missing then goes back to slight after shut down for short periods... I'm thinking air leak/injector maybe but why the strange cold/hot changes. . Ok ty again. .



By the way has anyone ever rigged a manual override for the air manifold heater? Mine really draws now that its colder here. . lights bright/dim too much for my liking, and cycles too long. Temp needle half way between cold and normal, still cycles? Again must be a check that can be made for current draw.



02 2500, 2wd, AT, 4:10, Ext Cab, Great truck but this electronic stuff is finicky!

 

[obert]

I dont remember exactly what the heater draw is, but Im shure is more than the alt puts out -at idle anyway- and will dim the lights. That question comes up fairly often, search it on here, there should be LOTS.....

 

[dzldodge]

TOML --



I have the exact same issue with my truck (i have about 3k on the new vp44). Prior to the vp44, it ran great. Now, I have the miss and the smoke at start up -- worse when it is cold. Have you found anything out ?? Most every post here says "it is normal" or "live with it" -- but I say HELL NO !! ---- It is not normal !!!!



I wonder if it has anything to do with the ULSD fuel. It may be a coincidence but it started after my first tank of ULSD back in late November. I have purchased the last three tankfulls from the same joint. Today, I went to a truck stop. I have only driven it about 35 miles since. We'll see I guess.



Let me know if you have hear of any info for a fix



Thanks

 

[obert]

TOML --



I have the exact same issue with my truck (i have about 3k on the new vp44). Prior to the vp44, it ran great. Now, I have the miss and the smoke at start up -- worse when it is cold. Have you found anything out ?? Most every post here says "it is normal" or "live with it" -- but I say HELL NO !! ---- It is not normal !!!!

I agree. I'd say you can eliminate ULSD, I got a new VP in '01, have nearly 100k on it, its ALWAYS been this way. Like you say "worse when cold", mine really started acting up several months after the replacement-- when it got cold out.

Its a long story, but basicly even though this is a waranty paid pump, I was in a very delicate situation with DC :-{} and didnt think I would get anywhere with the dealer, even as good as the service mgr. is. Cummins wouldnt even open the hood 'cause it had under 100k on the clock at the time.



It aint really broke yet, though, and if it does, well, it'll be time for some "better" parts... . Oo.

 

[obert]

TomL>> did you get anything out of the dealer or cummins? At least an Idea?