Low boost, low power, dies after fueling up

[BillBaker]

Gentlemen, Weird issue with my 98. About 3 weeks ago I went on a trip from southern Ga. to Ky. After getting out of S. Carolina backroads and back onto the highway I went to pass a vehicle and my truck wouldn't muster over 60mph. Boost is way low at times, and at most maybe 13. If I put pedal to the floor it seemed there was nothing left to give past a certain point. I've had no spare time until today to actually start checking for a boost leak. Another weird issue is I stopped for fuel 4 times, 2 times on way up and 2 times heading back. One of those times on way up after stopping for fuel and getting truck to pull out onto road the truck just died. This happened again once on way back also. The low boost/low power seems not terribly bad at times and other times seems really bad. In the last 3 years I've replaced the OF valve, lift pump and fuel lines. Where do your heads go on this one?? Meanwhile I've gotten me a replacement truck while the 98 rests in the form of a 2019 3500 Big Horn LB 4WD!

 

[GAmes]

Fuel pressure? FSS fully up? Bolts missing from the top of the inlet plate? All those things have resulted in low power on my truck.

 

[BillBaker]

Fuel pressure? FSS fully up? Bolts missing from the top of the inlet plate? All those things have resulted in low power on my truck.

I haven't got to that point of checking fuel pressure, what is the recommended way? FSS is new also, replaced earlier this year but....

 

[Ozymandias]

A boost leak that bad you would hear as the Turbo would spin to it's max. Rpm.

Like GAmes says check on the fuel side, you don't get enough to spool the Turbo.

 

[BigPapa]

Did you ever try driving it with the fuel cap off?

 

[BillBaker]

Did you ever try driving it with the fuel cap off?

Nope, maybe today. I'm a little hesitant how far I'd drive it as it did die twice previously and I'd hate to get stranded living in the middle of nowhere

 

[NIsaacs]

Any possibility gas was put in the tank somewhere along the way? That's what they run like when it happens.

 

[BillBaker]

Any possibility gas was put in the tank somewhere along the way? That's what they run like when it happens.

Don't think so.... this issue started after already driving about 3-4 hours. I fueled up where I always do in Ga. before I left.

 

[Bill Lins]

Don't think so.... this issue started after already driving about 3-4 hours. I fueled up where I always do in Ga. before I left.

Depending how much was in the tank already when you fueled up, this could be it. Gas floats on top of diesel, so if enough diesel was already in the tank, you may have burned enough of it for the level to drop to the point that gas was being picked up.

 

[dieselshadow]

Gas and diesel readily and easily mix. They will not separate if introduced to each other in a tank.

 

[TFucili]

Doesn't take much gasoline in the mix to really make it doggy.

 

[TFucili]

You could get a rough idea if it's cut with gasoline with a hydrometer. #2 should be in the .82+ range. Gasoline roughly .68-.74. If it tests much "lighter" than .82 it's probably been cut.

 

[BillBaker]

Guys, I'd say it's very highly unlikely I accidentally put gasoline in it randomly. I ran the truck all the way to Ky. and back to Ga. the way it is. The only knowledge I have of adding gas to diesel and it's symptoms are what you all made me research now Lol. I'm 99% sure I even have my receipts when I fueled up and the receipt lists dsl (diesel). I started and ran the truck yesterday with no issue, but did not get it out for a drive. I'm optimistic and plan on staying that way. I'll keep this up to date....

 

[BigPapa]

I don’t think they’re necessarily saying YOU put gas in it. It wouldn’t be the first time a tanker has accidentally started putting gas in the diesel tank, caught and corrected it, and didn’t say anything to anybody.

 

[BillBaker]

I don’t think they’re necessarily saying YOU put gas in it. It wouldn’t be the first time a tanker has accidentally started putting gas in the diesel tank, caught and corrected it, and didn’t say anything to anybody.

Let's hope that's not the case.

 

[BigPapa]

IF that’s what’s happened, it won’t hurt anything on your truck. Stick your nose in the fill neck and see if you smell a hint of gas.

 

[BillBaker]

IF that’s what’s happened, it won’t hurt anything on your truck. Stick your nose in the fill neck and see if you smell a hint of gas.

I already did that, not that I can tell. Smelled like diesel. I'm taking the advice and getting a fuel pressure gauge to see where I'm at.

 

[NIsaacs]

When did you change your fuel filter last? Keep in mind, time flies and you can think it was yesterday, but, dang time gets away anymore.

 

[BillBaker]

When did you change your fuel filter last? Keep in mind, time flies and you can think it was yesterday, but, dang time gets away anymore.

10 months ago, mileage wise I'd have to check but that's on the to do list now anyways as I swap it out once a year as I "typically" average 12-15k on the truck.

 

[BigPapa]

I've seen a bad load of fuel stop up a new filter. Any time there's a fuel issue, first thing to do is change the filter.