Man, when it rains it pours, LP, VP, whats next? Sorry, just venting, I love my truck and wouldn't trade it fer the world, just mantanice huh. My temp gauge has been fluxuating a bit(160-190) it just started. Now it was idling for about 20-25 mins.(it was warmed up already) when I got back in my truck the temp guage was buried, like it was cold. WTheck. Now i'm worried. No smell, no leaks, oils good, coolant levels good, exuast doesn't smell, pass. sides not wet, runs fine, heats fine. Is it my water pump? All this head gasket talk, I'm kinda freaked out. I'm gona wait till its cold and do the radiator cap test, I read it somewhere here. Santa's definatley not stopping here this year. I ALWAYS apprecieate everyones info.

Thanks again.
Billy D

 

Billy, you CANNOT idle a Cummins in the cold for 25 minutes. Cylinder temperatures drop and fuel washes past the rings and goes into the crankcase. Can cause big trouble and expense.. You need to raise idle to 1100+ rpm if you want to idle.

You driving a diesel not a gas pot.

Find someone around you that has a Smarty tuner. Have them load it on your truick and then remove it. This will install the high idle and 3 cylinder idle for when its cold.

 

OK thanks, I feel like a crackhead now Do you think I hurt anything with that move.?

 

I don't believe you get the three cylinder idle on a VP, common rail yes.

 

i have a vp44 what do i need to do? i live in ny and its 17 here i have to let my truck warm up in the morning or i dont have any heat or defrost

 

Yes the vp dose have the 3 cylinder 1200 rpm ideal is on the vps

 

Wrong. Sure works good on my 01.

 

First of all - plug it in. At least 3 hours - more if its cold.

Just let the oil pressure stabilize after starting and then drive it. Keep the rpm under 2000 and let it warm up.

If you must start it and let it idle - jam something (chunk of dowel, snowbrush etc.) between the seat and the go pedal. After starting it and letting it idle for a bit and then slowly bring the rpms up to around 1100-1200. Doing this is a pain.

If you have a pyrometer - you dont want the exhaust temp to drop below 300F.

The best thing to do is to find someone with a Smarty and load it up (or buy a Smarty). or buy an Espar or Webasto heater.

 

Another thing to remember - when idleing put the truck in neutral. Unless you have an aftermarket converter this transmission does not circulate ATF in park. Metal on metal isnt good for it.

 

what about turning on the exhaust brake for a load Ed