TSB-018-037-04 for Cummins 600 Fuel Milage Results

[klenger]

What are your fuel milage results since getting TSB-018-037-04 done?



Oct. 11, 2004 Edit: Please report only hand calculated data as the TSB also reprograms the overhead computer, so the results from it are meaningless at this time.



TSB can be seen at http://www.klenger.net/dodge/3rd-gen-reference/tsb-18-037-04_pg1.pdf

 

[SHyans]

My dealer and I agreed..... WHY BOTHER?

A 1 mpg increase in exchange for a loss of horsepower.

 

[vagabond]

I did not notice a loss in power. Quite the oposite. It takes off from a dead stop with no hesitation and responds when it is rolling like before if not better. I would look at the results posted here and not the dealer.

Tommie

 

[SHyans]

That's great to hear. I'd love to improve MPG. ($63 to fill up today!)

My understanding from more that one source is that horsepower suffers a bit. If it is unnoticable, sign me up. Did anyone else share Vagabonds results?

 

[knewman]

I myself can't see were it hurt the power at all maybe even helped a good bit and made the truck stop all that pinging

 

[SHyans]

Oh, great... . Note to self: Once you've remedied the "Death Wobble", prepare for the "Pinging"! WHAT PINGING..... I don't have that... . yet!

I'll be droppin' by for the ol' software download on Monday!

 

[vagabond]

I am sure you will be glad you had it done. Please let us know.



Tommie

 

[Lodi]

My milage increased 2. 5 to 3 mpg since I had the flash done. Oo. Same power as before, at least no drop in power !

 

[LHolland]

Went in for white smoke...

at start up problem. Took it in Tuesday for a Wednesday appoitment so they could start it cold and see the smoke. I asked to have the flash done as well.

Wednesday morning about 9 am they call and say my truck is ready. So,I go in to pick it up. The one service writer goes to drive it around front and I watched as he started it, white smoke at start up. I say something to him and he ask if I want to talk to the service manager. I'll try to keep this short.

He tells me that they checked the injectors and they were fine. He also said that I was the first one to receive the the updated software and to give it about 500 miles and if it is still doing it to bring it back in. Sounds strange to me. I thought that any software changes would be effective immediately. Does this system learn as it goes? I would think that startup would not be a learned process only driving conditions. Maybe this guy is just blowing "white smoke" up my arse. :-{}

As far as the mileage it reads a little higher on the overhead, have'nt checked numbers yet. Power seems to better bottom end. Does'nt seem to pull as hard at higher end. Pinging in midrange is about the same. I would like to hear from someone with a boost guage if they see any difference in before and after boost numbers.

 

[thames1948]

I had the flash and might have lost a. 5 mpg. The o/h computer is up a little, but actual mpg's seem to be down. No sticker under the hood. Truck don't feel any different to me :{

 

[KBertetto]

I got the flash, pinging is gone, white smoke is gone, idles smoother, takes off from a dead stop a little better and mileage is up. Did not notice any drop in horsepower, truck actually feels stronger when taking off.

 

[RN1]

Since I had trhe flash about 700 miles ago, my mileage is running about 2 MPG better hand calc'ed, pinging seems to be less, power seems to come on smoother but feels like it is still the same. Overhead is within . 5 MPG of hand calc. Verry happy I had it done so far.

 

[RLighthall]

My reflash is scheduled for tomorrow, and I wrote to Cummins asking if the issues referenced in the TSB were addressed at the expense of 'performance/power output' (as I phrased it). This is the quote I recieved - "The recalibration should not effect horse power. You can postone the your visit to the dealer until talking to some people that has had the recalibration. We just don't think horse power should be a problem for you. Talk to your dealer about it. " I'll post my results...

 

[GEM]

I have read about some mysterious problems with these new dodge trucks... death wobble, pinging, smoking,choking... . what's next: missing? knocking:backfire? vaporlock?

sticking choke?fouled plugs?points wet?distributer cap wet?

 

[SSchang]

I have the same results as thames1948. Overhead reads 1-1. 5 MPG better, but hand calc is . 5-1 MPG worse. Three tanks experience since the flash.



Bottom line - MPG is worse, overhead is less accurate. I WOULDN'T RECOMMEND IT!



Scott

 

[jeff95]

For those experiencing fewer mpg after the reflash, what was your mpg prior to the reflash. I'm getting about 11. 5 mpg in town. It couldn't get any worse.

Jeff

 

[JimP]

Tsb-018-037-04



I had the flash done on my 600 for white smoke & rough idle. The tech told me I would have 2nd gear torqe converter lock up after the flash. I do now have lock up in 2nd gear,no white smoke at start up,smooth idle and general runs smoother. I have'nt filled up since then,but the computer shows 2 MPG better. Getting lock up in 2nd gear was worth the trip to me.



Jimp:

 

[SHyans]

What is 2nd gear torque converter lock up?

Is that a good thing or a negative byproduct of this TSB fix that you'll live with?

I'm a newbie, Toyota Tundra to 2500 for towing capacity.

 

[FJfonda]

Read before deciding to reflash!!!!!!

I have the same results as thames1948 and SSchang!!! Do you both have the 48RE as well? I wonder if the 6 sp reflash is working well and the auto reflash's aren't. Here is my story..... at 15,000 miles.

Prior to the reflash:

I was getting 13-14 mpg non towing and 8 towing. My overhead tracked 0. 5 mpg to hand calc.

After the reflash (3 tanks later):

Now getting 12 mpg non towing and overhead says 15. Towing stayed at 8mpg but overhead says 9mpg.

ALSO NOTE:

My pinging is much worse than before, and the overall engine noise is much louder, complete with a 2000 rpm drone I didn't have before!!!! My wife actually asked me what happened to the truck and why was it so loud. I watched the tech do my reflash and he pulled the latest version of changes on to the DRB from dealerconnect. I was with him during the relash process... . all seemed to go well.

I don't think it is winterized fuel... and if it was the chances of getting 3 tanks of it right after my reflash (filled up at 3 diffferent stations - all ones I normally use) is pretty slim.

Gotta call the dealer tomorrow -------

 

[SHyans]

Good intentions but the actual poll is useless since we don't know if the results of the responders were gained by hand calculations or by what the computer is telling them.

It appears that after hand calulations, enough people are getting lower MPG than what the computer is tellling them which leads me to believe that the software "fix" is meant to blow smoke up our fannies via the computer readout and not increase our actual MPG.

Yes, some of you have had increases based on hand calculations. I see that. But more or enough of you have had no, little, or other negative results that make me run like hell from the though of even considering this.