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Over 300,000 miles, but it wasn't easy

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I finally went over 300k this week, but it wasn't easy. Since right before Christmas I have basically replaced the entire fuel system, some of it more than once.



In Dec. I replaced the lift pump with the one that is in the tank. I am not impressed, this also screwed up the fuel gauge, I now run out of fuel at around 3/8 of a tank. Dodge won't fix it, say it isn't their fault.



In early Jan. I replaced the CP3, then the high pressure relief valve on the rail. I put a fuel pressure gauge on right after that. Anyone else have problems with low (read that no) fuel pressure after you get below half a tank? I had Dodge check the lift pump and they say it is putting out what it is supposed to. After I run for 3 or 4 hours I have 0 fuel pressure. Dodge says that it is the volume that counts, not pressure. Not buying it, as far as I'm concerned, no pressure, no fuel. I put an auxiliary lift pump on, now I have fuel pressure. 16 lbs. minimum.



First part of April, I lose the high pressure relief valve again. Not covered under warranty, 12 month, 12,000 miles. I had gone over 14,000 miles. I removed my Edge EZ, don't know if it had anything to do with it, but it is off and will stay off. The valve was replaced and things seemed OK for a few weeks, then the truck was getting hard to start with long cranking times and also what I considered to be injector knock. Everything was checked out by Dodge and was good to go as far as they were concerned. It got worse and finally the truck wouldn't start at all. Got towed to the dealer and was told it was the relief valve again, at least this time it was under warranty, just 6000 miles on it. It was replaced again but the truck still was hard to start, long cranking times, I'm talking 15-30 seconds. (good on the starter) They said the injectors were firing like they were supposed to. I told them I wanted to replace them anyway then I found out what they cost at the dealer. I got them directly from Cummins, had them put in at an independent shop, saved almost $250 a hole on parts and a lot more on labor and now have what seems like a new truck.

I'll end this by saying that regardless of what some people say, and I won't name names, you do need a fuel pressure gauge in third gen trucks, and also the in tank pump isn't what it is cracked up to be. The engine on these trucks is pretty much bullet proof, but the fuel system sucks. 300,000+ miles and the engine uses no oil and now that the fuel system is fixed, runs and pulls like a new one. I hope to get another 300K out of it now that I know what to watch for.
 
Well thanks for the heads up. I didnt have a F/P gauge on the 05 (because I was told it wasnt neccessary), but I guess I'll be putting one on the 06. By the way were you running any type of fuel additive? Thanks in advance :)
 
man... 300k already is NUTS but sounds like its been a pretty good truck outside the fuel system. I have been doing some research on the lift pump thing and Im thinking of gettin FASS on my 06 already just incase.
 
I see what your saying p-Bar. Alot of people with 3rd Gens have been having problems with injectors and relief valves, and Id say maybe 75%-80% are running an EZ or some type of pressure box. Ive been seeing more EZ's coming out of trucks than going into them in the last 6 months or so...
 
I sure have been reading alot of posts lately about this high pressure relief valve on the rail. It seems to be a weak link on the 3rd gen. trucks. Did yours throw any codes when it went out?

I think mine may be acting up. My truck stumbled while pulling a grade last week and threw a P0251 code. When I do a search on this code, it looks as though many have had problems with this high pressure relief valve.
 
p-Bar said:
Curious if it would of been more bullet proof without the Edge



Possibly, I'm not saying the Edge caused all the problems, the only one I can see the Edge related to is the high pressure relief valve. I ran the Edge for over 270,000 miles on level 2 with no problems. I kind of think a bad batch of relief valves came out but there is no way to prove that, so I will run without the EZ from now on just to make sure. I also think the relief valves going out and running the truck at lower than normal pressure is what caused the injectors to carbon up. They were all sent off to check if any of them were cracked, if they were, that could be related to high pressure from the Edge, but I will be suprised if any of them are.
 
EB said:
I finally went over 300k this week, but it wasn't easy. Since right before Christmas I have basically replaced the entire fuel system, some of it more than once.



In Dec. I replaced the lift pump with the one that is in the tank. I am not impressed, this also screwed up the fuel gauge, I now run out of fuel at around 3/8 of a tank. Dodge won't fix it, say it isn't their fault.



In early Jan. I replaced the CP3, then the high pressure relief valve on the rail. I put a fuel pressure gauge on right after that. Anyone else have problems with low (read that no) fuel pressure after you get below half a tank? I had Dodge check the lift pump and they say it is putting out what it is supposed to. After I run for 3 or 4 hours I have 0 fuel pressure. Dodge says that it is the volume that counts, not pressure. Not buying it, as far as I'm concerned, no pressure, no fuel. I put an auxiliary lift pump on, now I have fuel pressure. 16 lbs. minimum.



First part of April, I lose the high pressure relief valve again. Not covered under warranty, 12 month, 12,000 miles. I had gone over 14,000 miles. I removed my Edge EZ, don't know if it had anything to do with it, but it is off and will stay off. The valve was replaced and things seemed OK for a few weeks, then the truck was getting hard to start with long cranking times and also what I considered to be injector knock. Everything was checked out by Dodge and was good to go as far as they were concerned. It got worse and finally the truck wouldn't start at all. Got towed to the dealer and was told it was the relief valve again, at least this time it was under warranty, just 6000 miles on it. It was replaced again but the truck still was hard to start, long cranking times, I'm talking 15-30 seconds. (good on the starter) They said the injectors were firing like they were supposed to. I told them I wanted to replace them anyway then I found out what they cost at the dealer. I got them directly from Cummins, had them put in at an independent shop, saved almost $250 a hole on parts and a lot more on labor and now have what seems like a new truck.

I'll end this by saying that regardless of what some people say, and I won't name names, you do need a fuel pressure gauge in third gen trucks, and also the in tank pump isn't what it is cracked up to be. The engine on these trucks is pretty much bullet proof, but the fuel system sucks. 300,000+ miles and the engine uses no oil and now that the fuel system is fixed, runs and pulls like a new one. I hope to get another 300K out of it now that I know what to watch for.



If you could say that with an 03 Ford, that would be something! :-laf

Looks like your doing OK. ;)
 
Eb....

... how has your 6 speed been doing, what type of fluid are you running in it? Also, any differential problems to date? TIA !!!!
 
MMeier said:
... how has your 6 speed been doing, what type of fluid are you running in it? Also, any differential problems to date? TIA !!!!



My 6 speed has given me 0 problems. It still shifts smooth and doesn't make any funny noises. While pulling heavy the temp will get up to 250 - 260. I use nothing but Amsoil. I started out using 10/30 motor oil then switched over to the Amsoil manual syncromesh transmission fluid 5-30 when they came out with it.



The rear end on this truck is one of those that "whines" It has since it was new and still does today. I really haven't ever worried about it. These trucks have big gears and some just whine. I use Amsoil Severe Gear 75-140 in the rear end. Temps will run 200+ when pulling heavy.
 
Now I'm worried! My 97 12V went almost 300k with no fuel problems, no transmission problems, no engine, cooling or drivetrain problems whatsoever! Just oil leaks (vac pump, transmission lines, etc) I need this 2006 to last the same amount of time!
 
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