I Love my CTD again!!! Hooray!!!

[mikepvg]

I finally got the dealer to replace a bad injector that has been misbehaving for the last 2000 miles or so. It now runs as Cummins designed it to, at least until another injector fails.....



Some observations from when my truck was NEW, during the bad injector period & now after replacing the injector along w/ the reflash 18-037-04:



Your truck should not smoke, stutter or stumble under 99. 99% of any conditions.



The ONLY time this is normal, and it s/b minimal, is after a cold soak start in subfreezing temps AND this should only last for less than 30 seconds.



OTHERWISE, something is wrong, boys & girls.



Another observation. Redline DFFC indeed does what it says & will increase mileage by 3-5% & reduce smoke. I cracked over the 20mpg mark for the very first time with its help.





Only problem I had the dealership was when they washed & detailed my truck after the repair. They scratched the sh#$ out of my body paint & some how even scratched my side mirror. Yes, it was pretty darn dirty when I brought it in, thats why I thought it was better to have a "professional" clean it up. All is well since after complaining they buffed out the entire truck (looks better than new) & offered to replace my mirror. So they still have my business and I am happy.



Now... who has the sub2 micron fuel filtration system figured out so I can help keep my injectors alive & well!



Mike

Oo.

 

[Buffalo]

Mikepvg,



Thank you for your post.



Do you think 2 micron filteration is the answer to the injector problems? The Duramax has just come out with a dual element fuel filter with the inner element filtering down to the 2 micron level, I've heard.



Regarding the Red Line DFFC, you're using, is that the "Diesel Fuel Catalyst"? I've tried it in my '03 and haven't noticed any difference. I use Flying J fuel almost exclusively, and have heard that lesser quality fuels will show more of a performance/economy increase with additives. (I,m not suggesting you're using lesser quality fuels. ) I'm more concerned with the lubricity these additives provide thinking that may, possibly, be causing the premature injector failures.



Thanks for your input.



Joe F. (Buffalo)

 

[DWMeyer]

I want to know about the fuel filter system!! My friend with a 03 Duramax just had all of his injectors replaced! My buddy is a service writer so he had it done at Chevys nickel. The idiot did not change the fuel filter for 41k miles!!!



Anyone who knows about the 2 filter system please post.

 

[OT-OF-HERE!!]

Injector Problems

I finally got the dealer to replace a bad injector that has been misbehaving for the last 2000 miles or so. It now runs as Cummins designed it to, at least until another injector fails.....



Some observations from when my truck was NEW, during the bad injector period & now after replacing the injector along w/ the reflash 18-037-04:



Your truck should not smoke, stutter or stumble under 99. 99% of any conditions.



The ONLY time this is normal, and it s/b minimal, is after a cold soak start in subfreezing temps AND this should only last for less than 30 seconds.



OTHERWISE, something is wrong, boys & girls.



Another observation. Redline DFFC indeed does what it says & will increase mileage by 3-5% & reduce smoke. I cracked over the 20mpg mark for the very first time with its help.





Only problem I had the dealership was when they washed & detailed my truck after the repair. They scratched the sh#$ out of my body paint & some how even scratched my side mirror. Yes, it was pretty darn dirty when I brought it in, thats why I thought it was better to have a "professional" clean it up. All is well since after complaining they buffed out the entire truck (looks better than new) & offered to replace my mirror. So they still have my business and I am happy.



Now... who has the sub2 micron fuel filtration system figured out so I can help keep my injectors alive & well!



Mike

Oo.

I can attest that you are 100% absolutely correct. And yes, a 2 or 3 micron filter is the answer and periodic additive usage.

 

[mikepvg]

Do you think 2 micron filteration is the answer to the injector problems? The Duramax has just come out with a dual element fuel filter with the inner element filtering down to the 2 micron level, I've heard.

Yes. After researching countless hours on this site, I believe that dirt and or water (in the current fuel that is available in certain areas) under the pressures generated by a HPCR system will be the downfall of these injectors. I use P66 & Shell in my area & as soon as the winter blends came in I started having trouble.



Regarding the Red Line DFFC, you're using, is that the "Diesel Fuel Catalyst"?

Yes based upon another TDR members report of success with a fouled injector. The Redline did not solve my injector problem (perhaps it was too late?) but it definately did not hurt. All I know is that I never cracked over 20 mpg w/ all my business tools & 2 adults & one child in the truck on a small trip. All that is different is one injector & Redline DFFC in the tank.



I've tried it in my '03 and haven't noticed any difference.

Remember a 3-5% gain is only aprox . 5 to a little less than 1mpg difference. This might be hard to see unless your very strict about measurements taken over the same route under the same conditionms etc. . , All I know is that my mpg is up slightly & after a cold soak start today at 20degF I had ZERO SMOKE! I was ecstatic this morning! I never had zero smoke on a very cold day. I did a research project on some Redline products a few years back & I trust them as a result.



I use Flying J fuel almost exclusively, and have heard that lesser quality fuels will show more of a performance/economy increase with additives. This makes sense to me.



(I,m not suggesting you're using lesser quality fuels. ) I'm more concerned with the lubricity these additives provide thinking that may, possibly, be causing the premature injector failures.

This is my concern now also at least until DC or the fuel refiners take some action to give us the reliability I had in my '94 CTD.



Mike