KSB on too much?

[btoscano]

Hey all,



I wired a test light to my KSB solenoid. It was about 25F outside and the KSB stayed on my entire commute to work this morning, more than 20 miles!! I believe the manuals say it operates based on a 90F manifold temp.



I think it may be causing me to run excessive timing since I'm already at 1. 6 mm. It doesn't sound that much different with the KSB active and I think it sounds better with it inactive. I bet I'd need it at stock timing but already advanced I think its doing more harm than good.



On a side note, I wonder if it could be the cause of my low power and boost issues. I'll find out when I drive home... and then install the fuel psi gauge that should arrive today.



Brian

 

[btoscano]

On the way to work this morning, 25F outside, KSB activated, on some mild hills the truck would not accelerate from 72 MPH.



On the way home this afternoon, 30F outside, KSB DE-activated, on the hills the truck would accelerate! Also the accelator pedal was not as hard to push.



I believe my static timing is high enough that when the KSB activates it pushes the timing too high for my setup.



Brian

 

[WM-300]

What would happen if the KSB was deactivated (bypassed) ? Any thing bad happen ?



WM300

 

[btoscano]

The truck might smoke some when cold.



My truck runs better without it.



Brian

 

[WM-300]

Thats what I figured and was hoping to hear. I have the KSB bypassed on my Cummins 4BTA's in my Power Wagons. I dont even see white smoke.



WM300

 

[btoscano]

I'd guess your 4BTA's have some advance timing



Now both solenoids in my pump are just there as plugs to keep the fuel from leaking out. :-laf



Brian

 

[WM-300]

Actually, I run bone stock 4BTA's. I want max Cummins Reliability.



Paul

 

[btoscano]

For max Cummins reliablity you'd think you'd have them "stock" with the KSB enabled?



How do they run when they are started cold? You're in the Adirondaks... home of automotive cancer "rust"



Brian

 

[bgilbert]

Brian, I swore I suggested your ksb over on dtr about possible low power issue when cold. Either way, you already have decent timing, I would leave it unplugged and you just won't get that advanced timing nudge. I hope this solves your low power issue and keep you from pulling the head.

 

[btoscano]

You may have. I never realized it stayed on for so long until I put that temporary light in the cab to see what it was doing. I thought once the coolant got to temp it shut off, so surely it couldn't explain my low power after driving 150 miles just fine. I must be on the borderline of having too much timing. I guess I need bigger injectors



Brian

 

[WM-300]

Brian; Yes, road salt is a issue up here and COLD brrrrrr.

My Power Wagons sit in a heated garage/shop so cold starting is not a problem. My 03 Ram sits out in a car port... she is Ram Tough ha ha. I too found the same issue you did, that the KSB was not shutting down due to extreem cold and lower engine heat. I bypassed it on one truck, tried it and found no difference whatsoever. I am going to bypass all of them.



WM300

 

[dpuckett]

My KSB isnt working, and I get blue/ white smoke on cold starts. No power issues- too much fuel for that. ALways have some haze out the tailpipe, even when warm. Might have to get the injectors redone I hate MO fuel- it is just cr@p diluted in some crude oil.



Glad you got it figured out, Brian.



Daniel

 

[btoscano]

Its been pretty cold today. The truck drove great for 180 of the 325 miles I had to drive. After 180 miles, while climbing grade, I lost some top end power and peak boost in 4th and 5th dropped 2-3 psi. (The power loss was such that empty I didn't loose speed, but I couldn't gain any either. ) A few moments after that the WIF light came on for a few minutes and went off. I am not sure what happened. I topped off the tank and added additives. But so far the top end has not come back. Not sure what happened! Have to get the fuel psi gauge permanently installed to see if its loosing fuel psi.



Brian

 

[MMeier]

So... we just unplug the solenoid?

 

[btoscano]

Yeah, just unplug the solenoid.