Help, engine lug with load

[TulsaOkie]

Engine light came on after engine started to lug after pulling my trailer for 12 hours, I let it cool off and fuel canister was only 1/4 full, and would not start. Had to be towed in and dealership couldn't find any problems and code disappeared during trouble shooting. Drove another 5000 miles and the silly thing did it to me again, but this time no light and I was able to drive it home with a heavy load on it ( 14k). Parked it over night and started right up the next morning just like it should. Is there a problem here or is it just Me ??? I sure could use some help... Newest member.....

 

[rbattelle]

I guess I'll be the first to welcome you aboard. Sorry your first post is a problem.



As you describe the filter canister being only 1/4 full, that makes me suspect a failed lift pump. The canister should be 100% fill during normal operation.



We need to know what year your truck is to be able to give any more detail...



-Ryan

 

[TulsaOkie]

My truck is a 2005,6x6... . purchased on May 28th, and we are sitting on 42,008 for milage. Haven't had any problems, and I do regular maintence. I pull a 30' gooseneck with dual 10k axles, about 5600 lb's. I get about 12. 8 mpg pulling a 5k load. Thanks for any help I can get...

 

[Bob4x4]

I agree the first thing to suspect would be failing lift pump,do a flow test to confirm.



Bob

 

[Vaughn MacKenzie]

A real easy way to do a quick check is get a soda bottle or something to stick the drain hose into and then with the engine running open the valve for a moment. If the lift pump is working diesel will pump out fairly quick.



Vaughn

 

[rbattelle]

A real easy way to do a quick check is get a soda bottle or something to stick the drain hose into and then with the engine running open the valve for a moment. If the lift pump is working diesel will pump out fairly quick.

Even better, use a 1/2 gallon milk container (one that's nice and clean on the inside so you can reuse the fuel). Open the drain valve and turn on the key so the lift pump runs and use a stopwatch to see how long it takes to fill the container. Minimum flow in 2003 was 38 GPH... someone will know what the spec is for 2005 (it won't be any less than 38 GPH).



Your lift pump is in the fuel tank.



-Ryan

 

[TulsaOkie]

did it to me again

Coming though Tennesee today, the truck did it to me again. Pulled over, filled up the tank, turned off the truck, and drove it home with no problems. Took it to the dealer last week and oh course they can't dupicate the problem so they can't fix it. Am I wasteing my time at the dealership ??? Truck has been running strong besides this little problem. I'm still looking for answers. . Thanks

 

[rbattelle]

If filling up the tank solves the problem, and your lift pump is IN the tank, that makes me suspect the lift pump even more. It's not able to suck fuel enough when the level in the tank is below some threshold. You have got to test that pump.



-Ryan

 

[LDobie]

My truck is a 2005,6x6... . purchased on May 28th, and we are sitting on 42,008 for milage. QUOTE]



:--) Wow, that is some serious Miles Sir, thats a little more than Dad has put on his Freight shaker for a living!! What do you mean by a 6x6?? Tandem??

 

[bmoeller]

What do you mean by a 6x6?? Tandem??

4x4 dually. Don't know why people count the tires. It is the nunber of live axle shafts you need to count.



I know some people call 4wd tractors with duals all around (8 tires), eight-wheelers.



I would suspect the lift pump, or if there is a short hose on the inlet to the pump, may be sucking air when the fuel is low. Also could be something floating around in the tank blocking fuel flow. Shutting the truck off would allow it to drop away, 'til it gets picked up again.

 

[TulsaOkie]

She Did It Again

Same trouble different day, this time it finally started acting up during business hours. The dealership here in Tulsa, wasn't to happy to see me, but they must of knew it's time to get serious. Just so happened the mechanic and I went to high school together... Maybe that helped. They now seem to think that it could be the lift pump, but no one would come out and say it. All they seem to worry about was that the tank was going to be dropped, and who was going to do it... I can't say enough about how I like my ole truck, I just wish I knew how to do more to it. But that's why I'm here, it looks like we all have the same interest... . Have a good day And I'll post the results of the dealership challenge...

 

[TulsaOkie]

It was the lift pump, even thou they couldn't duplicate any of the problems which I was having, they did the replacement thing after all. The truck seems to be running all right now and my fuel milage even seemed to jump up alittle bit.

 

[TulsaOkie]

lift pump problem

Finally found out what was wrong with the truck after taking it to the shop 5 times and started talking Lemon Law... The fuel tank had some debris of some sort in it and the filter screen on the lift pump was getting clogged. The truck would run but from time to time would start to lug. They replaced the lift pump but didn't see the debris at the time. Has been running great ever since and I'm coming up on 70,ooo mile in the 1st 6 monthes.