Engine/Transmission (1994 - 1998) Major newbie questions...

[TRCM]

Alright folks, I bought a 97 extended cab manual dually for towing my 4x4 around (5 mpg sucks for a road trip--hence the tow rig). It had some mods done to it already, but I am thinking that they were just put on, and not correctly tuned. The truck has power, but not near what I think it should. but, the only trucks I have driven or ridden in have been auto... . no boost loss to deal with during the shift.



I'm also use to gassers, and this is my first diesel. . so bear with me please.



It has a #11 plate in it, 3GSK, BHAF, 4" exhaust (straight) and the star wheel has supposedly been adjusted. No other mods, aside from the KDP issue and a new lift pump, have been done to the engine that I am aware of.



It tows a 10 k load quite easily, but just seems to have very little acceleration in 4th or 5th. It will quite easily leave 4 black marks up the driveway too if so inclined. The truck also has 4. 10 gears and 235/85/16 tires.



So far, mileage seems to be around 13-14 towing, but it uses a bit more oil than I care for. It does have some leaks that I need to fix (valve covers),so that may be part of the oil issues. The mileage was at 64 on cruise.



I'm looking for advice as to where to start, aside from stopping the leaks. I'm somewhat concerned about the oil, because the PO said it used about 2 qts between oil changes, but it used more than that on a 140 mile trip this weekend. Based on this, I have but to question some of the other things I was told about it.



Should I try to work with what's there, or should I start backtracking with the mods.

 

[Mundgyver]

For the oil leak, Some one will correct me if I am wrong here, but look down at the power steering unit. I think your rig has a vacuum pump in front of the power steering unit. There is a seal between the two, that is notorious for giving out here and it will leak about the amount you are describing. It is rebuildable. This set up was on the motor up to 2002 I believe with no changes. The other question would be what kind of boost are you running and what do your EGT's look like. Gages??? I would say check and verify the basics, fuel delivery pressure and such. How many miles on it??

 

[TRCM]

I was aware of that, but since I just got the truck home sat, I haven't had a chance to fully investigate anything with the weather and all.



I still need to get plates on it too.



What about blow by ? it seems to have more than other ctd's I've seen. it has 134 k on the ticker. I figured that may be where some of the oil is going. I've been told some things to check, but again, haven't had the chance yet.



there isn't a bunch of oil under thr truck tho, so maybe the blowby isn't that bad. the main oil leaks appear to be valve covers, and possibly the ps issue.

 

[Mundgyver]

How is the turbo, is it within spec for play and such or does it seem worn and need bearings?? Turbo can leak oil too. How do the pipes look from the turbo the intercooler and from the cooler to the intake manifold. Oily??? or clean and dry ??? Blow by would be a good question. I would think that allot of blow by is an indicator of the piston ring condition. Compression check maybe? Food for thought

 

[Mundgyver]

You don't have oil dripping or damp in the tail pipe do you

 

[Johnstra]

I'm not sure about this, but you should be able to have a diesel shop do a crankcase pressure test on your Cummins. It's a good way to get a general health indicator on your engine. The test requires a special tool to basically measure how much blowby you're getting. If the engine fails the test, you can then do a compression test to identify which cylinder(s) are causing the problem.

-john

 

[Joe G.]

134K ain't squat for a CTD. If you are using quite a bit of oil look for leaks. There will be some blow by. My '95 has over 100K more than yours. I have a spot of blowby drip on my garage floor. Always have had. It's not enough to show up on the dip stick between oil changes. Valve covers are notorious for leaking. Especially down the back side of the engine. So far I haven't had the vacuum pump leak like some others, but I know that leak will use a lot of oil.

 

[TPCDrafting]

Valve cover gaskets are easy on the pocket. Make sure to get the gray ones, rather than black. I'm not sure if anyone is still selling the black. Clean the surface atop the head before putting the covers back down. It may not hurt to adjust the valves while the covers are off. Once the new gaskets are on, wash the engine thoroughly, take it for a drive and look for other leaks. If you do have the vacuum pump/steering pump leak, PM a member known as CPFF. He sells (or used to anyway) a complete gasket kit for this very problem with good directions.

Next, find some members in your area. You'll learn tons from these local diesel heads.

 

[AMink]

Check around the front engine cover. If the KDP was killed and the new gasket and shaft seal weren't put on correctly, it will at least seep oil. Make sure all the bolts are tight around the cover. Good luck and enjoy your 97! Welcome to TDR.

 

[TRCM]

Well, so far, all I have done is drive it home, and take the bedliner out in prep for a line-x bedliner.



I plan on adjusting the valves and replacing the valve cover gaskets in the next week or so. Still waiting to get the title finished so I can get plates on it.



Also got a FSM enroute for it.



It looks like it is seeping oil up front, and the back is the major offendor. I know the VC gaskets are a big part of it. it doesn't really drip oil, but there are a few drops on the oil pan, coming it seems from up top.



No oil in the tailpipe that I have seen, but she will pour black smoke under certain conditions... . lol.



I got a bunch of people I know in the area with diesels, just most of them are fords..... got to find the others.



I just got to learn about these things. making ya a 1200 hp gasser w/o nitrous/supercharging is no big deal if you got the money, but I am a big time newb at the oil burner table. I know the basics and that's about it.



As for gages, it has an egt, but no boost gage, and the boost elbow that was on it is no longer, the PO put the stock item back on.



I am looking at gages now, but I kinda like the set that goes above the rear view mirror, but no one lists that for a 97.



EGT's were all good. The only time it got above 1000 was on cruise, 64 mph, climbing a minor grade. It got up to 1200-1250 then. I was about to downshift, but I crested the hill and it came back down.



My personal gut feeling, based on gasser experience, is that it has lost some compression, and isn't making the boost it needs with the other mods. I know the boots have been blown off at least once by the PO.



I'm not really looking to bomb this thing, as I will use it mainly for towing and some moderate DD duties. I just want the reliability and mpg to be there.



If ya have any advice, please post it... ya ain't gonna hurt my feelings (too many ex wives for that to happen), and ya just might help save me some money (unlike the ex wives).

 

[budctdca]

I would suggest a 60lb boost gauge and get the AFC spring kit and boost elbow from TST or somebody similar and that might help a bit. also check the intercooler elbows and all the boost clamps for leaks, and if you haven't already, replace the fuel lines on the drivers side of the engine, they wreck shop on drivability.

Luke