Question on "600" picked up last night.

[FParlee]

Hey Everybody,



Last night I picked up my new 3500 W/ a 600 CTD. This is my first DC/CTD. I have been a PSD guy up until now. Questions:



Makes a lot of noise when just maintaining speed. Sounds like a gasser pinging. idle is very smooth, and putting my foot into it puts ya back in the seat with no noise. But just doing 40 mph on a level road, it sound like I'm hurting it. Anybody have any ideas or observations?



Also, I have seen discussion about fuel tank size and guage accuracy. The dealer did not put any fuel in it so I had an 1/8 of a tank of Mexican sludge when I took it off the lot. When I got to work today, the low fuel light was on, and the needle was almost on the lower peg. So I filled up at the station next to work.



It only took 27 gallons!:--) :--)



In some other threads, people are talking about putting 40 gallons into the tank when empty.



Other than that, everything else seems great. One note, the exhaust smells like propane exhaust???!!!! I guess this is caused by the cat converter.



The first thing I plan on doing is getting the Kelderman air ride. My kidneys are killing me after the first 100 miles!



The second will be the Banks SIXGUN kit. Oo. Oo. Oo.



Let me know if ya' all have any comments.



Man, she is beautiful!!!!

 

[XcumminsX]

Can we see some pics. Congrats on the new truck. P. S. Mine only takes around 27 gallons to. . I dont know why.



Nick

 

[boonsur]

Congratulations! Fuel capacity seems a little off, but not by much. There is probably quite a bit of fuel left in the tank for reserve, even when the gauge is at bottom. I believe one member went over 100 miles after the light came on. This probably explains a few gallons. You may not be topping off the tank all the way, either. Because of the breather placement in the tank, you have to be real patient to get the last few gallons in (it has to burp, and the foam needs to settle). I usually don't bother for the gallon or so (I try to be consistant, for tracking mileage).



The exhaust smell is interesting. Must be the extra injection event. Not good if you enjoy the smell (don't we all), but probably better for your health.



Enjoy!

 

[NSperduto]

I read in the book, when the DTE says 0 miles to empty, you still have 10% of the tank left.

 

[EMD-Run8]

Congrats! I wouldn't worry about the engine noise. It probably just stands out more because the new engines are so much quieter overall. My 305/555 motor doesn't have that classic diesel smell either but it doesn't smell like propane. The cat is probably causing most of it. The Ford 6. 0 PS has a similar smell. I need to talk you FParlee about ATK's & KTM's.

 

[johncameron]

Make sure the Sixgun works with the new injection system on the "600". I think there are 3 injections per stroke on the new "600" VS two on the "555". Congrats on your new truck!

 

[StephenThomas]

Yet another PSD converting to Cummins! Congrats on your new truck. I hope you like it.

 

[Fitasc]

I've driven 91 miles after the low fuel lite "popped"! Refueled, and after waitin' and shakin', I could only get 30 gallons in my 2003, 305-555, 6 spd. DC does NOT want you to run it DRY. My on board DTE was @ 0 for 88 miles. I routinely achieve 17. 6- 18. 2 mpg when dead heading. I vaguely remember total tank capacity @ appox. 34 gallons. After 540 miles I needed to stop to 'drain', and top off, anyway! On the super slabs I set the cruise @ 77 mph and let the ctd do its thing. I'm running BFG 285's with the speedo re calibrated to the rev's per/mile @60. 3. 73 gear has become about 3. 60-3. 61. No effect on towing ability. TURN & BURN

 

[swexlin]

Congrats Fred! Check your PMs.

 

[RobertBolinger]

1st fillup (by me at least) at 496 miles.

I just filled up the first time. -all the way to the neck (probably too much)-it was 32. 08 gallons-the window sticker says 34 gallon tank-my low fuel light had just come on. I figure I will fill it up like that again so I can accurately check the fuel mileage.

 

[barbwire]

tank size

My 2004 3500 has a 35 gal. capacity. I assume yours does as well. I have run some 60 or 70 miles after the low fuel lite comes on( not smart I know), and I got somewhere between 27 & 30 gal. in when I fill. All the sweating I did was for nothing.

Hope you enjoy your truck.

Noise is a mystery!!

Mine has an odor much like you describe also. Sometimes strong.

Good Luck

 

[Vaughn MacKenzie]

FParled congrats on your new ride. As you spend many miles together your relationship with your truck is going to grow (where's that little valentine heart smiley?? LOL).



Speaking of your ride, mine softened up quite noticeably since new. It was stiffish at first but after 10,000 miles it's gotten to where I like it now.



Have fun!



Vaughn

 

[FParlee]

Great Input!!!!!

Gentlemen,



Thank you for all the good thoughts. As this is my first CTD, there is no price that can be put on the piece of mind you get when all of you experienced rod-knockers tell me everything that I am seeing is normal.



THANKS!!



New rails for my 18K Hidden Hitch 5th wheel are going in today, as is a new Prodigy brake controller.



Tomorrow we hook up the 40 ft Dutchmen toy hauler, load up a KTM 525 EX/C and a Kawasaki KLX650R and head for Florida.



Specifically Ft. DeSoto park campground in the middle of Tampa Bay inlet.



I know I should break the truck in before pulling a full load, but I have no choice given the time line differetial between what was promised and when the truck actually got here. I should have known, his lips were moving... ... ... ... .



I will let everyone know how the trip went when I return on 2/21 with LOTS of pictures.



Again, THANKS EVERYBODY!!!!!!!!!!Oo. Oo.



Fred Parlee

 

[DPelletier]

FParlee,

Drive around as much as you can before leaving! I don't think its a big deal to just take off as far as the engine goes, but 500 mi is recommended before towing. I think this is mainly to break in the rear end gearset. You may want to stop a couple of times and check the differential temperature (by hand).

Hope you have a great trip and I'm sure you'll love the new truck.

Noises are hard to diagnose without hearing them. I had a '96 PSD and the Cummins sounds much deeper and throatier. Less like a pop can full of marbles!! At the right RPM the Cummins sort of lets loose with a throaty drone. I like it. It's at maybe 1300 - 1500 RPM?



PS. nice bike! I rode one, but they're a little too big for me in the bush here (raceing X-Country and Hare Scrambles).



Cheers

Dave

 

[AFacey]

I have driven several 04. 5 trucks and they have a slight ping or rattle like a gaser on low octane gas (including mine). The funny thing about that is the motor is so quiet that you almost forget it is a diesel. The older motor makes all kinds of rattle.



The tanks are different capacity for different trucks; the 2500 quad SWB is 1 gallon smaller than the 3500 LWB. You can get the exact details in your owners manual. I believe mine said that it has 8% reserve.



On another note I also discovered a slight vibration from 70-75 MPH on the 04. 4 QUAD 4x4 SWB. Up to 70 and beyond 75 they run smooth as glass. I drove 2 trucks that did they same thing. It isn't tires 'cause I already replaced mine. As sson as the snow clears here. I'm going to have my dealer take a look. Maybe a driveshaft?



Regarding the ride --- Save some $$$ and just put some Rancho RSX9000 on the rear. They work great.

 

[Spooled-up]

I've got an '03 Long Bed and I've pumped as much as 37 gallons into the tank when it gets really low. Takes forever though.

 

[barbwire]

Originally posted by DMKelley

I've got an '03 Long Bed and I've pumped as much as 37 gallons into the tank when it gets really low. Takes forever though.

2 gallons in the filler tube

 

[600horse]

Congrats on the new ride. Just a reminder, be sure to have the dealer or yourself check out the fluid levels on all boxes there was a problem early on with this and never hurts to be sure. Especially with your leaving on an extended drive. The smell might be the new oil, when ever I change mine I get a chemical or additive smell the first couple of hundred miles. Oh by the way Cummins says get in and drive it just vary the engine speed occasionally. The break in must be D. C. s parts. Enjoy. 600 horseOo. Oo. Oo.