need guidance on a couple problems

[Mhannink]

my mom's 06 3500 is having a couple issues that im noticing. the first is the engine seems to idle really rough. almost worse than my 12v. hooked up a scanner and viewed live data and nothing jumps out at me. engine also seems a little too loud for a bone stock common rail. the other problem is trans or clutch. the truck is a 6spd and when your engaging the clutch it seems rather aggressive. my mom has been complaining that its also causing an odd vibration shudder when starting out from a dead stop. could it be the dual mass flywheel? im in new territory and not really sure what that dual mass will act like when its failing. is there a tsb out for the dual mass? the truck has 92k miles serviced pretty regularly, and stock down to the radio and exhaust. the only thing that has been changed on the truck is the tires and oil. everything else came from the factory. also what is the warrenty on these trucks im trying to remember and cant.

 

[cerberusiam]

Sound like a classic DMF failure. No warranty on cltuches, they are wear items.



On the engine noise, does the truck get driven hard frequently or used as a DD and not run long enough to get hot and stay there for a while?

 

[AH64ID]

I agree on the DMF, probably the weakest point on the truck. Southbend offers a SMF conversion, that with a Con O should do well for her. .

As for the rough idle it probably wouldn't hurt to run some injector cleaner thru it.

 

[Wertles]

One vote here for Sea Foam cleaner. Change out the fuel filter, add one can to fill up the bowl. Add one can in the tank. Start the truck and let it idle for 5 minutes then drive as usual until empty (almost). IF it just needs some cleaning, this works great. I do this every fuel filter change at 10K. It is a little expensive, between 8 and 10 dollars a bottle, but it is the only one I have ever tried that makes a noticeable difference and you can get it at any auto parts store or Walmart.

 

[AH64ID]

No no no! Sea Foam is a VERY bad idea on a diesel. Seafoam is an alcohol based cleaner and will make any water in your system unseparatable. It's a good way to buy yourself a new injection system!

 

[Mhannink]

On the dmf you all are in line with my own thoughts. As to the idle issue I forgot to mention the truck has a 6 horse trailer on all the time trailer light weight is around 7k lbs. Its not always fully loaded but the truck still has to work. I will try some injector cleaner and see if that makes any difference. I've got some stuff that im really happy with in my truck. Ill just double dose the 06 and see what happens. I don't think its ever had any so it might be the problem

 

[cerberusiam]

Rough idle and noise could just be the batch of fuel that was last put in it. It is tough to tell.



It could be the FCA is starting to get sticky or wearing out. Run a mix of Power Service and 2 stroke oil in the fuel for a couple tanks and see if anything changes.



Since it is an 06, I would be watching for other signs like white smoke at odd times, excessive gray smoke under acceleration, and making oil. The injectors are always a concern on that year and a CR in general.

 

[Wertles]

No no no! Sea Foam is a VERY bad idea on a diesel. Seafoam is an alcohol based cleaner and will make any water in your system unseparatable. It's a good way to buy yourself a new injection system!

CRAP!! I first read about this on this site 6 years ago and heard nothing but praises of it. That's where I got the process from. Never have heard this. Guess it's time for a different brand of cleaner. Suggestions? Not trying to highjack the thread but Mhannink might need a suggestion as well.



P. S. The stuff works really well in gas engines though. It has brought back many a poorly running car/4wheeler/chainsaw from being clogged at my house and many others around here.

 

[rscurtis]

The rough idle could also be caused by the DMF being out of balance.

 

[Mhannink]

CRAP!! I first read about this on this site 6 years ago and heard nothing but praises of it. That's where I got the process from. Never have heard this. Guess it's time for a different brand of cleaner. Suggestions? Not trying to highjack the thread but Mhannink might need a suggestion as well.



P. S. The stuff works really well in gas engines though. It has brought back many a poorly running car/4wheeler/chainsaw from being clogged at my house and many others around here.

no worries about hijacking, thank you for the concern as well, i do have my persoanly favorite brand of snake oil additive that seems to work, and was planning on that. ive actually never used sea foam though, not really sure why, now i have a better reason not to.

The rough idle could also be caused by the DMF being out of balance.

this is a good point and something i did not consider. the dmf is new territory for me, i have worked in heavy equipment and trucks for a while and have never encountered them, so i dont know all the possible issues one might cause. your suggestion is plausible though.

Rough idle and noise could just be the batch of fuel that was last put in it. It is tough to tell.



It could be the FCA is starting to get sticky or wearing out. Run a mix of Power Service and 2 stroke oil in the fuel for a couple tanks and see if anything changes.



Since it is an 06, I would be watching for other signs like white smoke at odd times, excessive gray smoke under acceleration, and making oil. The injectors are always a concern on that year and a CR in general.

all our trucks ( 3 of them ) are fueled at high volume fuel stations almost exclusivly for this reason. im pretty sure that the fuel is ok, but is a possiblity. im going to run some injector cleaner/fuel additive through it at a heavy dosage, it'll hurt the fuel mileage but if it clears up the idle it would suggest a fuel system related issue. if my additive doesnt work i will try the 2 stroke oil for a little extra lube and see if that solves it. if not then ill deal with things then.



there is no issue with smoke of any sort, i dont know about it making oil but will check that out, i am also aware of the injector issues with a cr engine which is why i posted. my fear is possible injector failure and engine meltdown, with the truck almost out of the engine warrenty that would be a bad thing. especially cause times are tight buisness is slow and this truck is crucial to the buisness.



i have been out of the loop as to the maintence on these trucks, since i am back in the area and having to use the equipment im getting back into it. i do know maintence has been rather slack on all of our equipment; with the exception of my truck which is my daily driver, and its starting to show. fortenutly i think i am catching the problems early enough to avoid major problems.

 

[Grizzly]

It's about the right mileage for the infamous G56 with the DMF to go out. Sorry to hear of that possibility of having to replace the clutch because your mom is looking at big bucks. I wish her well and hope it's something much simpler.

 

[AH64ID]

CRAP!! I first read about this on this site 6 years ago and heard nothing but praises of it. That's where I got the process from. Never have heard this. Guess it's time for a different brand of cleaner. Suggestions? Not trying to highjack the thread but Mhannink might need a suggestion as well.

I use Amsoil Diesel Concentrate every fillup, not sure if it works as I have never gone without. I like the lubricity and cleaning abilities of it.



It's not as potent as seafoam as its an every tank additive, I don't know what additives are non-alcohol and single dose.

P. S. The stuff works really well in gas engines though. It has brought back many a poorly running car/4wheeler/chainsaw from being clogged at my house and many others around here.

Yes it does! I have used it for years on my gas rigs and yard equipment with excellent results.



I am sure it works great on diesel too, but the possibility of mixing water is not worth it for me.