Engine/Transmission (1994 - 1998) Just bought a 97 NO POWER

[robbiesworld]

OK I went to the shop and cleaned the screen. That was easy enough. There was some metal shavings in it, just a small amount and the screen didn't look very dirty. I realized that the 97 fuel filter is different than the 3 I have on the shelf for my 95.



I "think" it has a little more power but not that much. I am waiting for the parts store to open to get a fuel filter.



How do you change the 97 style fuel filters?

 

[robbiesworld]

Well I changed the fuel filter and cleaned the screen and it still runs like CRAP! I guess I will run to the Muffler shop and have them cut the cat and muffler off

 

[robbiesworld]

Well I changed the fuel filter, cleaned the screen,took the fuel plate out, checked fuel pressure. took the cat and muffler off, checked boost and ended up selling it for what I paid to my buddy that has a diesel shop. I will update you guys when he finds the problem.

 

[robbiesworld]

EGR malfunction. good ol CALIFORNIA.

 

[Dave M]

EGR malfunction. good ol CALIFORNIA.

I hate EGR... . ugh... California smog bites again! I've had mutiple problems with failed EGR valves on gas engines over the years here in Cali. The EGR valve usually sticks open creating a big vacuum leak in my experience with gas engines.



I'm fortunate I bought my 97 215 HP from Texas (no EGR). My buddy has a 97 auto 12v and it has EGR. This is something to keep in mind when troubleshooting a California smog state vehicle.



Dave

 

[JDKammin]

Did you buy it back?

 

[robbiesworld]

Did you buy it back?

Yeah I didn't want to get into details on how I feel like I got ripped off. . Considering he knew it was the EGR before he offered to buy it and acted like he didn't . Oh well he needed a truck to drive.

 

[Extreme1]

Back in 94, some of the very early 94s came without a cat, My dad blindly ordered the first of the new ram back then and it did not have a cat on it. We had the first one in the area at the time. I remember it was an exciting time due to the big rig look. 15 years has past. Boy

The cats went on as of 1/1/94. My truck was built in December of '93. Oo.

 

[Bob4x4]

Oo. I ordered mine in the summer of 03 and had to forego the limited slip to get it built pre=cat 12/03 production date for me. Every option in the drivetrain put off my build till I told them build it with what you have available

 

[Missouri Mule]

96 to 98 12 valvesl: manual 215 hp , auto 180 hp. I woud suspect Cal. required all 12 valves to be 180hp.



That's one of the reasons bought a truck(Mule) with the 5 speed, more hp and torque plus I didn't want spend the extra money on auto trans.

 

[Bob4x4]

Ca 5spds were all 175 hp early autos were 160hp then jumped to 180hp in 96 or7

 

[dseabaugh]

My 97 auto will not even pull itself up the driveway without the starwheel spun all the way forward. been that way ever since the $#eeler did warranty work on the pump while under warranty. I've had it all the way forward for years now and it will pull the 32ft gooseneck fine, and smoke on demand.

 

[JMcCoy]

I had a similar situation with my '98 12v. After months of searching for the problem, it turned out to be a pin hole in the fuel return line. Approximately a $. 75 fix. It is located at the rear of the pump/engine on the driver side.

 

[Bob4x4]

My 97 auto will not even pull itself up the driveway without the starwheel spun all the way forward. been that way ever since the $#eeler did warranty work on the pump while under warranty. I've had it all the way forward for years now and it will pull the 32ft gooseneck fine, and smoke on demand.

:-laf

The only warranty work a dealer can do on that pump is change timing,replace,or mess with the linkage,I think I would have fixed what they did wrong(if they did) rather than throw preboost fuel at it

 

[dseabaugh]

The dealer, Morlan sent the truck to what was then Gateway cummins because my fuel milage had dropped from 23 to 10 on a trip to south Bend Indiana. Gateway pulled the pump and injectors and sent them to a pump shop , Bootheel Diesel in Sikeston Missouri. The paperwork says they honed the bores or barrels in the pump ( I'd have to pull out Danny Bricknell's paperwork and read it again to see exactly what it says) . Then I went on a trip to Florida for a visit ( no trailer, no load) and twice had to to spin the starwheel forward to get it to pull, once just to get up a driveway. Took it back after the trip and they sent me to cummins again where they just checked the throttle travel and shutoff solenoid on the lot while I watched. B4 Gateway pulled the pump, they burned up the transmission trying to pull the engine down on the dyno so the the dealer rebuilt a junkyard transmission and put in it. The torque converter still has the yellow paint writing on it. I have all this paperwork in the file on the truck. I have tried to back off the wheel several times to see if it would raise the fuel mileage back to what it used to be before they worked on it and it will not pull the truck if I do. Very few clicks makes a major difference. Driven it 75,000 miles that way now. If I could have figured out what was wrong I would have fixed it. I have advanced the timing, changed the fuel plate, , changed the injectors, It's just not the same truck that I bought and it will never see a dealer again. If it weren't for the bills from this blasted cancer, I would have taken it to Piers or someone who has a wit of sense about them when working on a B series but as it is I just deal with it as best as I can. I do have an obligation to try to keep a roof over my family first. If it were a John Deere with a Roosamaster, I would have been able to handle it myself. Hope that clears things up Bob4x4

 

[Bob4x4]

That is sad. . I guess maybe they did not have a diesel tech on hand so they just sent it out then the pump shop mickey moused it.

 

[MLee]

I realize this is a redundent question but where is the plate cover? is it slid forward?

I installed mine to the rear once and it was as you describe. Moved it forward all the way, what a change. Maybe something is hanging up in side and not letting it run. fuel filter? BO

 

[barngal6]

I hate EGR... . ugh... California smog bites again! I've had mutiple problems with failed EGR valves on gas engines over the years here in Cali. The EGR valve usually sticks open creating a big vacuum leak in my experience with gas engines.



I'm fortunate I bought my 97 215 HP from Texas (no EGR). My buddy has a 97 auto 12v and it has EGR. This is something to keep in mind when troubleshooting a California smog state vehicle.



Dave

I have a 98 12v 215, came to California a couple years ago, that owner was in the service, truck was sold out of state,

now i brought it back



The vin indicates its a 215, but theres a plate on the gear cover

that allows it to be in CA

Does this mean its been tinkered with to be in CA?

I'm having the usual no boost no smoke poor power issues myself,

trying to track down. .

 

[Bob4x4]

I have a 98 12v 215, came to California a couple years ago, that owner was in the service, truck was sold out of state,

now i brought it back



The vin indicates its a 215, but theres a plate on the gear cover

that allows it to be in CA

Does this mean its been tinkered with to be in CA?

I'm having the usual no boost no smoke poor power issues myself,

trying to track down. .

There was about a 3 month period where you could order a 215 in Cali. Unfortunately the order quota was filled before I got on the list :{

If the CPL is the same(it should be) all the calibrations are the same.

Test fuel psi first for low power no smoke... ... ... .

 

[Dave M]

I bought my 97 215 HP CPL 2175 on ebay from Texas and had to shipped here to california. I have nothing on the plate saying its allowed in california. I just had to have a weight certificate and DMV verified the vin and engine plate on gear cover.



Like "Bob4x4" says treat it like a 215 HP and look for low boost and low fuel psi. Replace fuel filter first. The overflow valve can also cause low power. I'd replace it and keep old for spare. Check the 4 intercooler boots for leaks. A leak in the intercoller can cause this problem but stick to easy things first. Get a boost gage and fuel gage and you'll figure it out. A stuck wastegate can cause problems too as can a bad fuel line. Replace the fuel line in engine where the steel line goes to rubber near the fual filter. They are notorious for leaks. Some replace the entire fuel line tank to engine with marine fuel line cause the steel line can leak. Visually inspect the line for leaks from engine to tank.



Here is a way to check for boost leak:



https://www.turbodieselregister.com...2/185133-how-pressure-test-intake-system.html



FAQ



Fuel pressure tester:



https://www.turbodieselregister.com...-build-fuel-pressure-test-gauge-12-valve.html



Here is a thread with pics of building another boost leak tester:



https://www.turbodieselregister.com...ion-1994-1998/208905-little-no-boost-12v.html



Dave