New Owner - 1st Question

[Fastback67]

I just took my "new to me" truck out for it's first real test drive on a major Highway.
Engine purrs like a kitten, but the best speed I could muster was 55 MPH on a flat straight stretch of road? The truck has 3.07 gears and stock 235/85/16 rubber, so that puts me in the 1700 - 1800 RPM area if all else is correct. I don't have a Tach in the truck, so this is just an assumption. I'm guessing it's time for a new governor spring, but this is my first diesel, so what do I know.
Any Thoughts?

Basic vehicle specs can be found here in my opening post over in the new guy section... https://www.turbodieselregister.com/threads/260567-1st-Diesel-1st-Post

 

[Mark31]

Purrs like a kitten and won't go? Reckon it needs a new fuel filter?

 

[Fastback67]

I have a complete set of filters for the truck, oil, air, trans, fuel, etc... just haven't swapped anything out yet. Been waiting for a little spare time and a good day to get everything base lined. All I've done to this point is a complete safety inspection and a few quick test drives. I just took it out on the highway for the first time this morning.
After reading your comment concerning the fuel filter, I checked the previous owners service records for the truck, and couldn't find any record of the fuel filter having ever been changed, Oil & Air Filters only. That having been said, I guess I'll changed out all the filters and perform another quick test run before going any further.

Thanks
Mike

 

[Fastback67]

I changed out the Fuel Filter and the Air Filter this morning before heading out to work... Big Difference!!! The air filter looked good, as expected because records indicate that it was changed out fairly recently. The old fuel filter on the other hand was exactly that... OLD... not original obviously, but an old CarQuest Filter non-the-less. It had been on there for a while.
When I got the truck I noted that the "Water In Fuel" lamp wasn't coming on when doing the usual bulb check at startup, so I cleaned up the weatherpak connector when I changed the fuel filter. Now it comes on and just stays on. Well, I know there's no water in the fuel, but I took a sample just to be certain... no issues... I could pull it out and bench test it, but it looks like its time for a new sensor.

Mike

 

[Grey Wolf]

Mike it's good to see you are getting familiar with your new truck, enjoy! GW

 

[Fastback67]

Will do GW,

Ayuh... The roads were dry today, so I decided to drive it to work today and give it a chance to breath a little. I still have a little ways to go with it yet, but each step forward is another step closer to the finish line.

Mike

 

[treyblum]

I haven't really started an exhausted search yet but the Fuel Filter's location isn't obvious. New 92 D250 owner TOTALLY IN LOVE HERE. The ride is a little harsh I'll have to look into that some day? Anybody recommend a Cummins Shop here in Las Vegas worth it sand?
SemperFi
Las Vegas

 

[Fastback67]

Howdy Treyblum
My first recommendation would be that you purchase of a set of Factory Service Manuals for your truck. It's always a good place to start.
Geno's Garage is one place that carries them... https://www.genosgarage.com/category/manuals

 

[Fastback67]

Did an Oil Change on the new truck this morning before work... 3 Gallons of Rotella T4, Stratapore Filter, and 2 cans of LiquiMoly.
The engine sure likes the LiquiMoly... smooth... Getting better all the time. I even took my lovely bride out for a quick drive this morning.

 

[treyblum]

That's a great recommendation.
Thanx

 

[Fastback67]

BD 16mm Non-Wastegated Turbine Housing showed up yesterday. I also received one of those 3200 RPM spring and Fuel Pin kits to have on hand, just in case.
I still have to get the truck over to the body shop/garage and have a look at the Valve Lash settings and see about the KDP as well. Hopefully make a day of it, and get all this stuff done at once. Then I can move on and see what's next on the list... oh yeah... install those new Gauges in the dash mounted pod I painted this morning...

 

[RWherley]

If you want a little more go get a HX35 from a 2nd gen with a waste gated 12cm exhaust snail, its a direct bolt in replacement

 

[Fastback67]

So this morning I was looking under the hood and I noted that there was a nasty dirty old electrical connector hanging from the wiring harness at the rear left side of block. It was pretty obvious that it hadn't been connected to anything for quite some time. I didn't see any obvious place for it to plug into anything, so I started looking around with a mirror and a flashlight.... BINGO, found it... Fuel Heater connection on top of the fuel filter.
So whats the consensus here... is the heater a necessary thing, a good thing, a useless thing that should be left unplugged or what?

 

[mpaulson]

So this morning I was looking under the hood and I noted that there was a nasty dirty old electrical connector hanging from the wiring harness at the rear left side of block. It was pretty obvious that it hadn't been connected to anything for quite some time. I didn't see any obvious place for it to plug into anything, so I started looking around with a mirror and a flashlight.... BINGO, found it... Fuel Heater connection on top of the fuel filter.
So whats the consensus here... is the heater a necessary thing, a good thing, a useless thing that should be left unplugged or what?

Where do you live? If you get “real” winters, you want that heater or if you travel into a winter zone, you don’t want to forget that it’s not connected. There is no gain in not having it connected. I’d plug it in and make sure it works.

 

[Fastback67]

Thanks!
I live in New England, so I'll keep it plugged in.

Mike

 

[Fastback67]

I learned something new today...
I had ordered a new "Water in Fuel" sensor because the old one was "OOC" after changing out the fuel filter. The light never worked prior to changing out the filter, not even for the bulb check at start up. After changing the filter and cleaning the electrical connection for the sensor however, the warning light would never go out, so I ASSUMED it was out of commission.
The new sensor arrived yesterday, so this morning I went out to install it. I popped the hood, reached in and grabbed the fuel filter housing with one hand, and started unscrewing the sensor with the other. I had backed it off about 1/4 turn when I remembered that there was something I needed downtown, so I stopped what I was doing, hopped in the cab and started the truck.... the Water in Fuel light lit and then went out just like it's suppose to.
Now I followed the instruction to the letter when installing the sensor into the filter housing... "Do Not Over Tighten" it said, so I just screwed it into the filter housing and snugged it up by hand. Well, apparently my idea of hand snug was to tight for the sensor because it seems to be working fine now that its been backed out a quarter turn. Go figure... well, at least I have a spare sensor now.

 

[MLee]

I was about to mention that--"do not over tighten" clause, cause it grounds out in side the housing and won't go out. There is a few others that have had that same thing happen. Keep fiddling with your truck, eventually you'll get it where you want it to run good.
The 1st gens are known for there rough ride, some times referred to "as Hay wagons" There just tough old sisters.

 

[Fastback67]

I've got the engine running pretty smooth now, especially once the block is all warmed up. Like you said though, the ride itself can be a little rough on the back roads and mine fields. Of course my old beefed up 85 D100 isn't any better really.
I pulled the turbo off yesterday so I could swap the old turbine housing out with the new BD 16mm job. I had to soak it with PB Rust Buster for roughly 24 hours, but I got it apart this morning before work. I also installed the fitting for the new EGT gauge in the exhaust manifold while I had it apart. I'll put the turbo back on tomorrow morning before work if I have a few minutes. Kind'a anxious to see how much of a difference the new turbine housing is going to make.

Mike

 

[Fastback67]

I put the Turbo back on this morning, and the EGT probe is installed now too.
We're suppose to have some nasty nor'easter weather here tomorrow, so I'll save the test drive for another day.

 

[Fastback67]

Finally had a chance to take the truck out for short run the other day. The new 16mm turbine housing made a noticeable improvement, but not enough to get all excited about really. Of course, any and all improvements are welcomed.
I still have a good list of items to take care of, parts to check, parts to install... one day at a time eh.