TSB 18-037-04 First Impression

[Alan Reagan]

Here's the road test results. I went from 19 mpg to 21. 4 mpg for the first 140 miles. I fueled at the Georgia/Florida border and then drove 500 miles with about 60 of it in stop and go traffic.



Mileage was just over 20 when I refueled with the Interstate speed of 70-75 mph running into a headwind going from Jax toward Pensacola across North Florida. The computer was showing 19. 5 after 500 miles and still climbing about . 1 every 30 miles or so. Time will tell how close it will come to actual.



So the mileage definitely went up over all about 1 mpg on the reflash.



I'm interested in this "pinion factor" and would like to find out a little more. As I'm slowing to stop or turn, I get a harsh downshift to first. I called the dealer and they are looking into it. It's like it thinks the back wheels are almost stopped when it drops into first because it goes in hard and fast.



It doesn't seem to start as quickly (I think I'm still expecting what I had with my 01) but I don't have any white smoke.



Finally, I do have black smoke on acceleration. Very noticeable at night in the mirrors if I accelerate. I also have a bit of soot behind the exhaust. With that said, acceleration is more impressive now. The reflash is certainly an improvement in power and mileage on mine.

 

[mikepvg]

Boy, those are some good mpg #s. I'll never see those kind of #'s in the mtns, no matter how the truck runs!

 

[KevinO]

It's cold again here 15 right now and i put the truck outside for the day cold and just went and started it, it didn't blow much white smoke but it did stumble around a bit and went straight to 1000 rpm had a little bit of a hiccup for the first 15 seconds are so. It is better than it was also noted the egt's shot straight to about 370 and held there till the idle was smooth and went down to 250. Wonder if i have a slight leak in the injector putting a little fuel on the top of the piston when i shut down? Just a thought what do you guys think.

 

[Alan Reagan]

KevinO, I think it's just cold. 15 degrees and I believe you will have some white smoke. The stumbling is probably due to the engine being so cold. Once some heat gets built up in it, it probably runs fine.

If an injector was leaking, you would have constant smoke.

 

[KevinO]

Alan thanks for the reply i didn't know what it would do with a leaky injector i was just guessing. This engine doesn't handle the cold weather as well as my 01 did. Never fails to start just a little ruff on startup.

 

[Alan Reagan]

Mine doesn't crank as well in cold weather. As a matter of fact, my 01 would hardly ever turn over more than once without cranking. This one seems to have to go over a few times. I think the computer system must be similar to Furd and Chebys now... ... . it has to detect everything is OK before it will start.



I haven't had white smoke since the TSB, but it's only been in the 20s here since I had it done.