Engine problems

[saharakid]

Greetings from the Sahara

I am having problems with my engine - black smoke when I put down the boot.

Can anybody tell me where I can locate the engine diagnostics port in a 2005 Holiday Rambler Endevour

[Drifter]

Down at the base of the steering column on the left side, it has a gray cover.

[Rex]

Check these pictures for what the plug looks like. Note the picture is of two different plug ends, but your coach will have only one of these. Mine was hidden behind the side console panel which had to be removed to find it. Others have found it in the bundle of wires above the drivers left foot, and elsewhere.

[Mike Canter]

Saharakid, when was the last time you changed both fuel filters. A diesel engine when it runs lean because of less fuel cannot get the combustion hot enough to burn all the fuel so it will start smoking. If you haven't changed both fuel filters in the last 15,000 I would chenege them first before I would do anything else. Somethimes even if you changed the filters sooner than that you can get algae in the fuel which will also block up the fuel filters and cause black smoke out the exhaust.

[saharakid]

Hi Rex and Mike

Many thanks for your quick advice - much appreciated. I shall replace the fuel filters. This could be the problem. Diesel in this part of the world is not of the highest standard. Last year it cost me €3000 to rectify my diesel toad on account of water in diesel.

Keep in touch from a grateful Irishman in 30 degrees Celsius.

Brendan, Pat and the golden retriever - Bailey

[Mike Canter]

If that fixes it then what I would recommend is cutting open the first inline fuel filter and see what blocked it up. Mine old MH had the dreaded "Black Slime" from water contamination. I was having to change the filters every 5-7 thousand miles. Used a shock treatment of Biobor JF and it killed it in one quick application. I always put Biobor in my tank when I store the MH for any long period of time. I buy it at a Marine Supply Store.

Biobor JF - Diesel Fuel Microbicide

[saharakid]

Hi Mike

Will do. In my professional life I was a world expert in the field of "biocides". My UK colleague and I were responsible for coining the word "biocide" into the English language. We were part responsible for the regulation of such chemicals in Europe. Have many happy memories of work in Washington (EPA).


Brendan

[1ciderdog]

I won't argue about the fuel filters but personally I would suspect the air filter. Could be not enough air getting into the engine to burn all the fuel that's going in and partially burnt diesel fuel results in black smoke..

[tquarles]

The other likely place for the diagnostic plug is in the front run bay. My '02 endeavour has plugs both under the dash and in the front run bay. Cummins prefers the one in the bay because they don't have to risk getting the coach dirty to hook up to it or to keep going back and doing program upgrades while they're working under the engine getting really greasy - made me sit in the drivers seat while they replaced a defective temp. sender and did a bunch of wiring and programming upgrades so they didn't have to get in to start/stop the engine or anything else.

[Rex]

When you change the fuel filters (should have two) change the primary first, then start the engine and let it run till it is running smooth, then do the same to the other filter.

[pipedream2]

Just as Mike has mentioned about the bacteria in diesel (high temps mixed with water in fuel) changing from LSD to ULSD will produce the same kind of black goo in the filters very quickly .....ULSD will act as a solvent and "clean" out your tank and lines producing a black asphaltic type tar in the filters
Once you've started on Ultra low sulfur diesel fuel ...read the pumps and avoid LSD if at all possible....there are still stations using it

[Diesel Guy]

Hello Black smoke is lack of air I would be LQQKing at my air filter,low power I would LQQK at my fuel filters