New diesel owner---- 2015 3500 dually---- many questions

[Garage Door Guy]

Hi all, Not sure where to start.... I recently purchased this truck as I needed something better for hauling. My other truck is a 99' Ram 2500 with a V-10. This truck has been a workhorse for almost 4 years, but now it's not too happy pulling my trailer (220K miles). Decided to go with a diesel, and so far, couldn't be happier. BUT... Being a relatively new diesel owner and subsequently Aisan transmission owner, I'm not sure what to expect or what noises / feelings are normal for this truck. Bought it with 130K miles and have only added about 2000 at this point. I wanted a standard transmission, but got an automatic. I use the paddle shifter quite a bit as I live in a hilly area and do not like to wait for the truck to downshift. However, in 3rd gear, I sometimes get a surging feeling. Not sure if that is the correct description; maybe a 'missing' feeling. It's like pulling a heavy trailer over bumps when the trailer feels like it's holding the truck back. Just kind of jerky. BTW, this is bare truck - no trailer behind me when I've felt this. Before I spend a bunch more money putting boxes and a rack on it, I'm trying to determine if there is a problem. I know that's not much to go on. It appears to be only 1 previous owner, but I have no idea how hard the truck was worked. It's lived most or all of it's life in Colorado. I haven't been able to recreate the surging with any predictability and have yet to feel it in any of the other gears. Truck appears to have no mods except for 17" wheels from the factory. EGR system still intact. While I'm rather handy, I'm not a gear head or wrench turner, per se. So, I may need some hand holding if you are getting into technical questions. Thanks in advance for any help. I have MANY other questions about this truck, but this is the most concerning at the moment. Oh, I get a recurring check engine light. Forgot the description, but it has something to do with the temp sensor for the turbo? Ambient air temp vs. temp going into engine / turbo???? I'll get more info, but today is Saturday and my mechanic is closed.

 

[TFucili]

Start with tracking down and resolving the CEL. Do you know the service history? Has the Aisin seen the recommended services?

 

[Wiredawg]

Welcome to the TDR. Since it's new to you and unknown maintenance, I would perform all service and fluid changes so your starting with a clean baseline. You can save a lot changing engine oil, axles, transfer case fluids, fuel, and/or filters and EGR maintenance. Biggie for me is have the full transmission service done: drain, inspection, adjustment, filter change and fill. If you're not a wrencher, all this could cost ~$2K.

In the meantime, providing the exact CEL number would help. If its appearing and disappearing on it's own, its likely an intermittent problem.

Tracking and will help as I can.

Cheers, Ron

 

[Garage Door Guy]

It came with some carfax service history, but there were some gaps, so either the previous owner missed some service, or was having some done at other garages.

The CEL code is appearing and disappearing. My mechanic did get a code, but don't know the exact number. I'll follow up and get that.

I asked about testing the transmission and he said he can hook up some gauges and drive it around. If it is not surging when he drives it, I'm guessing the test will be rather inconclusive. ...?

As far as inspecting the transmission, does that require pulling it, or is that all done in place? (I may become a wrench turner, but right now I do not have a garage). Is there a good service manual for this truck (Chilton's or similar)?

Is it your initial guess that this is transmission related and not a fuel supply issue or some other engine issue? I did get it to surge a little bit in 2nd yesterday. This particular instance, I just turned off the highway and was starting to accelerate up a small hill. First, I watched the RPM gauge and couldn't detect any movement. Then I played with the gas peddle a little. (Is it still called a gas pedal, or should I call it a diesel pedal or fuel pedal now?) It was surging / slipping / missing around 1900 RPM. I gassed (dieseled, ha) it to about 2200 and then let off and surging was gone.

I'll check with the dealer and see what service they did on it, if any, before I bought it. Starting to think I should have joined a forum or two before buying so I would know what to look out for. Problem was that I had no idea what I was going to end up with, although I was always leaning heavily towards Dodge. I wanted something pre def, but I couldn't find anything of that vintage with reasonable mileage, or reasonable price.

I do know they gave me new oil, filter, and fuel filter. Honestly, not sure what they poured in, though. What are your thoughts on conventional vs. synthetic oils? Also, the power service additive and the anti gel stuff? I live in the Colorado mountains and I spend a lot of the winter in sub zero temperatures.

Thanks for the replies so far. I'll do a little more legwork and gather info.

 

[Cummins12V98]

FleetGuard MOPAR and RACOR filters ONLY. Push TH and EB buttons every time once started. Report back.

 

[Garage Door Guy]

By "push TH and EB buttons every time once started", do you mean toggle on and off or are you suggesting I drive all the time with TH and EB engaged all the time?

Is this related to my "surging" question?

What are you looking for me to report on? Whether the surging goes away or gets worse?

I use both modes quite a bit. Played with the EB because I was wondering if I was getting EB feedback causing the surging feeling. I've felt it in all three modes - full, automatic, and off. So far, only used TH when towing.

 

[SnoKing]

Does it have a two piece drive line? Might be a drive line/u-joint issue. Is it a chassis cab or a pickup that had a bed delete. Would be interesting to see if a good load on the bed changes what you have going on. Drive line angle issue can cause strange problems. Pulling the drive line and checking all the u-joints might be in order. Also clocking of u-joints is important.

Maybe the mods will move this to the correct forum for more responses.

 

[Wiredawg]

It came with some carfax service history, but there were some gaps, so either the previous owner missed some service, or was having some done at other garages.

The CEL code is appearing and disappearing. My mechanic did get a code, but don't know the exact number. I'll follow up and get that.

I asked about testing the transmission and he said he can hook up some gauges and drive it around. If it is not surging when he drives it, I'm guessing the test will be rather inconclusive. ...?

As far as inspecting the transmission, does that require pulling it, or is that all done in place? (I may become a wrench turner, but right now I do not have a garage). Is there a good service manual for this truck (Chilton's or similar)?

Is it your initial guess that this is transmission related and not a fuel supply issue or some other engine issue? I did get it to surge a little bit in 2nd yesterday. This particular instance, I just turned off the highway and was starting to accelerate up a small hill. First, I watched the RPM gauge and couldn't detect any movement. Then I played with the gas peddle a little. (Is it still called a gas pedal, or should I call it a diesel pedal or fuel pedal now?) It was surging / slipping / missing around 1900 RPM. I gassed (dieseled, ha) it to about 2200 and then let off and surging was gone.

I'll check with the dealer and see what service they did on it, if any, before I bought it. Starting to think I should have joined a forum or two before buying so I would know what to look out for. Problem was that I had no idea what I was going to end up with, although I was always leaning heavily towards Dodge. I wanted something pre def, but I couldn't find anything of that vintage with reasonable mileage, or reasonable price.

I do know they gave me new oil, filter, and fuel filter. Honestly, not sure what they poured in, though. What are your thoughts on conventional vs. synthetic oils? Also, the power service additive and the anti gel stuff? I live in the Colorado mountains and I spend a lot of the winter in sub zero temperatures.

Thanks for the replies so far. I'll do a little more legwork and gather info.

Distinguishing between engine and trans surge is an experience thing. Kinda hard to explain, but it's a "FEEL" thing. I mentioned the trans service because you are having undetermined
issue with either transmission or engine AND you don't have a record of critical service being done that mileage indicates should have been accomplished twice.

So, next post, try to give us the CEL code AND any info shared by your mechanic and/or the dealer.

These things are hard to diagnose in person and even harder to do over the Internet. I'm not being a smart tail here, but highly recommend you read your owners manual and review the maintenance section. The smarter you are about your, the better you will be when dealing with mechanics.

Keep us informed,

Ron

 

[Cummins12V98]

Running TH and EB keeps trans in the right gear and increased line pressures and keeps the turbo active. ALL good for your truck. Another bonus is your brakes will go 150k easily.

 

[AH64ID]

I run the EB 95% of the time, but only TH when towing. I prefer the non-TH shift pattern when empty. It’s smoother and doesn’t over-rev.

 

[gsbrockman]

I do know they gave me new oil, filter, and fuel filter.

Thanks for the replies so far. I'll do a little more legwork and gather info.

Do you know that there’s TWO fuel filters? In the event only ONE of them was changed, there’s a good chance that this could be contributory of some of your other issues.