Life pump died, DC worked on it. White smoke now at startup. Did they burn my rings?

[JFeeney]

Well, let me start but saying that I have been read TDR for quite a while. Thank you all for the helpful information. It's come in handy many a time. My truck is just about 60k on it and it has been the best truck I have ever owned. Never a problem until now. But on to my problem... . (sorry if I rant a little)



About a week ago I my lift pump went bye bye while cursing along Interstate 80 at about 70mph, a couple stumbles and then dead. Once I got to the side of road and tried to fire her up again I could tell it was the lift pump, because I had no buzz, just a metal on metal / rattling sound was coming from the pump (best way I can describe it) when I first clicked the key over.



Being far from home with a dead truck I had to call for a tow to the nearest DC dealer. I truck is still under warranty, so I figured why not. (my first mistake) It took the Dover Dodge (second mistake taking it there) almost a week to get the pump. All I kept being told was it was on national back-order. But after a few days, the pump was in and after talking to the service manager I was told my pride and joy would be ready by 500pm.



So of course I show right at 5, wouldn’t you know that truck wasn’t even in the shop yet!!! So after a few minutes I was told “we’ll work tonight until it is done, should only take about 30mins”. I figured I would give them an hour considering that the I have seen where the pump is and I know that it would take some time to change it out.



So at 6 I returned, to find to tech’s standing there looking at my truck with a dumb look on their faces. So I ask, “What’s wrong?” the response “We can’t get to started. ” So through my mind rushes the thoughts “do they know what the H**L they are doing”. Apparently not. So I start to ask, did you…. .



1. change the fuel filter?

2. make sure that fuel is entering the filter?

3. crack open the injector lines to let air out of the system?



All where answered with a NO?



OK here comes the third mistake, I told them to do all that and she should fire up, and told them I would return in the morning. Why I didn’t stay to see that all was done properly I don’t know, maybe because I was so ****** that I had idiots working my truck. . Needless to say I returned in the morning and she was running, with a response from the tech’s and service manager. “How did you know that would work?” My response was “common sense” when really all of you here helped on that one.



So the real problem is now that I have the truck back I am running about 2 mpg lower that I use too. Also when I start up in the morning I blow white/blue smoke until she is warmed up. Do you think all the cranking of the motor that they did trying to get it started burned my rings or damaged my motor?



Any advice would really be helpful!!!

Thanks to all.

 

[rdanley]

well j

I FEEL FOR YA GUY I USLY DONT DO THE WORK MYSELF BUT I DO TRY AND STAY WITH MY TRUCK WHILE IT IS BEING WORKED ON AND I HAVE BEEN IN SITUATION LIKE YOU HAVE AND WHEN I GET A DUMB RESPONSE LIKE THE ONE YOU GOTTEN I PULL THE PLUG. I HAVE BEEN NOTICING MY MECHANIC HE GETTS ALITTLE UPSET WHEN I SAY "TDR SAID". I DONT CARE I TRUST THE GUYS ON HERE MORE THAN MY OWN WIFE. WHAT EVER YOU DO DONT TELL HER I SAID THAT

 

[Shooter]

Sorry to hear about your 5 screw service



It is possible that they did not get one of the fuel lines tightened, the fuel filter "O" ring on right or cracked the fuel filter cap and you are loosing prime/ sucking air in the fuel system and the leak is sealing when the engine gets hot. It really sounds like you are getting air in the fuel system.



Does it cold idle smooth and does it accelerate normally ??

Does it start right up.



All the cranking and cranking and cranking and... will just shorten the life of the starter windings by over heating them and causing the winding insulation to deteriorate. .



I would reccomend you take it to your /a local Cummins shop and have them check it out. They know what the h*ll they are doing and have the tools and equipment to check it out and fix it correctly.



Repeat after me " The/A DC service dept. is not my friend". Now again... ..... :{

 

[pwr2tow]

I doubt if they hurt anything but the starter at most.

If you had a air leak you would loose prime and the truck would not start or would take forever to start each day.



The extra smoke is probably comeing from getting more fuel than you use to with the old lift pump.



You will know after a few miles of driveing if the rings where damaged cause you will use more oil, but like I said before, I doubt if the rings were hurt.



Ron

 

[LSMITH]

Mine has made blueish white smoke at cold idle from day 1 and all that I have seen do too. They did not hurt you rings when they had it, but probably took a few years out of your starter.



Something is not right though, you say it died going down the road from a lift pump? Not saying that it didn't but that is the first I have heard of this. That is usually an injection pump.



Depending on what the dealer did and what year truck you have, it could just be a reflash that caused the loss of 2 MPG.

 

[Archive]

Dodge Dealers...........

Check your grid heater, it should be cycling this time of year.





You aren't alone. My Dodge dealer hit another truck with my '99 Dually last Wednesday and it scraped and BUSTED my right side dually fender. I discovered this wonderful little surprize when I arrived home. The dealership DID finally own up to the damage when they found the OTHER wrecked Ram in the service bay parking lot. I wonder if they told this other poor guy his truck had been crunched when he came to get it? They didn't tell me. Draw your own conclusions.



My truck's new nickname is "Last Dodge". I very, very much mean exactly that. At my shop, NHRA events, Corvette meets, Street Rod gatherings, and anywhere else I'm approached, I will be warning/cautioning about Daimler/Chrysler and strongly recommending GM/Allison. IMO the Cummins engine itself is no longer enough to offset the many negative aspects of the

total overall ownership experience. (My TDR membership withstanding. )



I wasn't even going to bother to post bout this. Sorry I vented here.

 

[Diesel Freak]

I stay away from the dealer like the Plague..... I was in there once for the clock spring recall... and that is it.

 

[ox1]

White smoke



Anytime there is white smoke, I would look for air. Is the new pump junk? Fuel dripping? I liked the recommendation to check the banjoe? fitting comming FROM the tank to the lift. If this one is not quite tight, it could do as you are saying, and NOT LEAK FUEL, since it is on the vacume side.



Sometimes not enough fuel will get worse milage. Sounds crazy, but.....



$02 Yank funds.

 

[Vaughn MacKenzie]

Re: Dodge Dealers...........

Originally posted by TopFuel

You aren't alone. My Dodge dealer hit another truck with my '99 Dually last Wednesday and it scraped and BUSTED my right side dually fender.

Evan A. Beck had even worse happen to him. Two years ago he ordered a new ETH 2wd shortbed and was tracking it and everything in great anticipation and ready to take pictures of it the moment it arrived. Well within hours of it hitting the dealer lot one of their finest lot monkeys managed to use a light pole to rearrange most of the right side sheetmetal. Evan was less than thrilled! An order for another new truck was placed that day and he received it in record time with a nice discount to boot.



Vaughn