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ULSD Diesel Engine Failures

14 messages,  Last post on Nov 14, 2010 at 8:18 AM

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What is this discussion about? Dodge Ram Pickup 2500, Ford E-250, Chevrolet C/K 2500 Series, Fuel System, Truck

Messages Page 2 of 2

#5 of 14 Re: ULSD Diesel Engine Failures [jamesfletcher2] by kcram HOST

Feb 28, 2007 (7:42 pm)

Replying to: jamesfletcher2 (Feb 28, 2007 4:40 pm)
Reporting the problem is one thing. Keeping it in perspective is another. Dodge has sold over 1 million Cummins trucks. Of those million trucks, how many have had an engine related failure due solely to the use of ULSD? Probably not a whole lot... even 1000 would only be 0.1%.

#6 of 14 Re: ULSD Diesel Engine Failures [jamesfletcher2] by goodcrd

Mar 01, 2007 (12:28 am)

Replying to: jamesfletcher2 (Feb 28, 2007 4:40 pm)
Well with a switch over problems will always be had. I deal with a very large diesel fleet and we had switched over to USLD about 4 years ago at one of our maintenance facilities. After the switch fuel system problems increased then dropped off to a lower level. The EGR, Turbo and Soot trap failures almost disappeared. USLD and Biodiesel are good solvents and do break down trapped material in your fuel filters. This material damaged some fuel systems but after a period stopped. Biodiesel above 20% will shorten the life of a diesel engine (Acts like a solvent and breaks down your lubricating oil film). Above 5% in a common rail system can damage your injectors and stress your pressure pump. Well good luck with you truck and hope you have better luck.

#7 of 14 Re: ULSD Diesel Engine Failures [jamesfletcher2] by 0patience

Mar 31, 2007 (10:53 pm)

Replying to: jamesfletcher2 (Feb 22, 2007 8:58 pm)
I deal with a large fleet of diesels, heavy trucks and light fleet trucks and we have had no problems with ultra low sulphur fuels.
We have had problems with biodiesel though.
Which it sounds like you got biodiesel and not ultra low sulphur fuel.
Biodiesel acts as a solvent and really cleans your engine well, but the problem is, just like engine flushes can push deposits where they don't belong.
 
One thing you should remember when talking with "service manglers" they are NOT mechanics and their knowledge is a bit short.
 
One thing you need to understand about ultra low sulphur fuels, the low sulphur fuel has been out for some time. The Ultra Low sulphur fuel, as far as lubrication goes, isn't a lot different than the low sulphur fuel. When you are talking parts per million, it would take quite a bit to cause a failure as you described.
 
When they went from regular diesel to the low sulphur fuels, the only failures that we saw were injection pump failures.
 
Then there is your comment..........
There had been a major failure in the fuel injection system that had bent the crankshaft and caused other significant damage.
 
Someone doesn't quite know how these systems work.
It would take more than an injection pump failure to bend the crankshaft. In all my years, I have never seen a diesel bend a crankshaft, for any reason.
I have seen Detroits throw rods out the side of the block, CAT engines spit bearings out, but never a crank shaft bend.
 
Sorry, but the story doesn't add up. I think someone may not be knowledgeable enough to tell you the whole story.
But then again, what do I know.

#9 of 14 Re: ULSD Diesel Engine Failures [jamesfletcher2] by dieselman6

Feb 12, 2008 (3:56 pm)

Replying to: jamesfletcher2 (Feb 22, 2007 8:58 pm)
Sorry guys the engine did not have to be replacwed. I have been thru this several times. The fuel injection pump and the lift pump should have been replaced. With the continued use of a fuel additive with lubricity.The cause of failure was due to the diafram in the pump broke due to lack of sulfur in the fuel. Sulfur in diesel fuel is a buffering agent agaisnt wear. There are alot of people out there that claim alot of extended failure circumstances that just dont exist. But that is due to not knowing whats going on

#10 of 14 2005 Dodge Cummins Diesel Problem by roemhildt

Apr 28, 2008 (5:39 pm)

How about this one. Here's the end result...story follows.
 
At 102,000 miles, our 2005 dodge 3500 with Cummins Diesel needs to have a number of engine related repairs: piston, cylinder sleeve, push rod, fuel injector...to name a few.
 
Here's where the story begins: My husband brought his 05 to a Dodge dealer with 89,000 miles on it (warranteed to 100,000) and asked them to put on their scope/computer to find out why it was running so rough. Engine would surge, gallup, etc.
 
They checked it out and "found no codes" so sent him on his way.
 
In talking with a friend, the friend recommended a different service place that "really knows diesel engines". Hubby took it there at 94,000 miles. Ran diagnostics, found no codes, but did find that 3 of the injectors were leaking so recommended replacing them, which we did.
 
7,000 miles later, we were headed up north (300 miles from anything) and broke down.
Hubby took the truck back to the diesel guy, thinking it was one of the injectors, only to find out a clip on top of valve push rod broke off, resulting in the push rod coming loose, ruined the piston, ruined the cylinder sleeve and busted the injector.
 
The diesel guy recommended contacting Dodge since it clearly wasn't the injector and was something else-engine related.
 
Hubby contacted Dodge, Dodge said it's up to your dealer to determine whether they will cover the repairs, regardless of the miles.
 
Hubby took truck to dodge dealer service mgr in cambridge mn (with diesel guy) and service mgr said too bad so sad, it's over the mileage warranty.
 
Does anyone have any suggestions about how or who we could plead our case?

#11 of 14 Ford 550 Diesel by lookin4jgcinfo

Sep 29, 2010 (2:05 pm)

We have a 2004 6.0 F550 Diesel Truck ... it will not start ...ran it low on gas for the first time ever ...put more in it & it only has 17,000 miles on it... anyone have any clue as to what ball park area to begin troubleshooting this one in? It is getting fuel however & appears not to be firing ...any help would be greatly appreciated.
 
MK in Kentucky
Thanks ...

#12 of 14 F550 Ford Diesel - will not start - HELP by lookin4jgcinfo

Sep 29, 2010 (2:08 pm)

We have a 2004 6.0 F550 Diesel Truck ... it will not start ...ran it low on gas for the first time ever ...put more in it & it only has 17,000 miles on it... anyone have any clue as to what ball park area to begin troubleshooting this one in? It is getting fuel however & appears not to be firing ...any help would be greatly appreciated.
  
MK in Kentucky
Thanks ..

#13 of 14 Re: F550 Ford Diesel - will not start - HELP [lookin4jgcinfo] by wingnut40

Nov 13, 2010 (5:29 pm)

Replying to: lookin4jgcinfo (Sep 29, 2010 2:08 pm)
You say the engine is getting fuel but not firing,Do you mean it's getting fuel out of the filter or the injector pump? It might be air bound between the pump and the injectors and needs to be bled by loosening the nuts at the injectors and have someone crank the engine until fuel starts to bubble from the lines,then tighten the nuts while still cranking,until that cyl.fires then close the rest while the engine is idiling. Hope this helps;BLF.

#14 of 14 Anybody use extended oil change filters? by dewey11

Nov 14, 2010 (8:18 am)

I had a friend who was a Navy wrench,and he swore by them.He said he had 3 cars,all with over 100k and never changed the oil.Just replace filter element an add a quart every 3000 miles.I know the dealers frown on this,because I asked.The oil never gets dirty,because it is filtered below 1 micron.

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