Community Forums

sirrom26 · 04-17-2013, 09:52 AM

I have been having chugging and loss of power lately. It also blows out white smoke from time to time when it happens. I have changed the fuel filter, air filter, water/ deisel separator, checked the fuel lines and fittings and it is still doing it a little. Was going to put some additive in it to condition the fuel and clean injectors but thought I would see if anyone has experienced the same problems.

dons2346 · 04-17-2013, 09:58 AM

You have a more serious problem than filters and bad fuel. It is time for a Cummins mechanic.

Skip426 · 04-17-2013, 10:00 AM

Sounds like your having injector problems .
Can you post more info .
Year of Coach , ISB , or ISC . Mileage on motor .

More info = better answers.

sirrom26 · 04-17-2013, 10:13 AM

Its an 04 with 33000 miles on the motor. Not sure what ISB or ISC means. I had a cummins mechanic run through it this week but maybe I need a second opinion.

Skip426 · 04-17-2013, 10:49 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by sirrom26

Its an 04 with 33000 miles on the motor. Not sure what ISB or ISC means. I had a cummins mechanic run through it this week but maybe I need a second opinion.

ISB= 5.9l engine ISC = the larger 8.3l both available in 350hp versions, big difference is the amount of torque, not sure of the specs for your year; could be 650 vs 1050. not really important for this issue but something you should find out . You also need to know for sure if it is a "Common Rail fuel system " by the year it should be but also good to know.
If the Cummins mechanic , had the problem occour while he was scaning , he may have been able to isolate it to one cly, and an injector problem.
JMHO. Do not leave this too long , if the injector fails completely and starts dumping fuel , the excess fuel can wash down the cyl walls damaging the piston rings , and the worst case would be piston and rod damage.
Second oppinion would have to be provided by another shop/mechanic with access to the coach and scan tools when the problem is happening, here in the forums it's best guess.

tomrx1 · 04-17-2013, 02:11 PM

White smoke could be an indicator of water in fuel as well...if thats the case,it will take MANY fuel filter changes before you clear it out....just speaking from my own experience with ISB's I've owned 6 since 1992 !
Best of luck to you,whatever the problem, the Cummins will rebound from it!!!

sirrom26 · 04-17-2013, 02:16 PM

I spoke to another cummins specialist and he is having me put conditioner in the fuel to try and clean the injectors. If that diesnt do it they will hook it up and scan. Thanks for all the posts. I will update once I find a solution.

chuydog · 04-17-2013, 08:24 PM

A really old timer's diesel smoke analyis is:

1. white smoke= coolant in cylinders

2. blue smoke= oil in cylinders

3. black smoke= too much fuel in cylinders

If yours is white my guess is that you are burning coolant. Are you adding coolant frequently? Is there evidence of coolant on the dip stick? Probably a good idea to have everything checked out by a qualified tech.

sirrom26 · 04-17-2013, 08:34 PM

Interesting. The last tech said did say he added coolant but disnt make it sound like much. How in the world could I be burning coolant?

jamesrxx951 · 04-17-2013, 08:51 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by chuydog

A really old timer's diesel smoke analyis is:

1. white smoke= coolant in cylinders

2. blue smoke= oil in cylinders

3. black smoke= too much fuel in cylinders

If yours is white my guess is that you are burning coolant. Are you adding coolant frequently? Is there evidence of coolant on the dip stick? Probably a good idea to have everything checked out by a qualified tech.

White smoke can also be from a cold cylinder and if there is an EGR valve, an open EGR valve will also induce white smoke. If you had a head gasket issue that was leaking coolant, it would be more likely that the compression would be forced into the cooling system and blow off the pressure relief. Being that the engine is a 2004, I would have to venture that the head gasket is MLS (multi layer steel) and they do not tend to blow like the older style head gaskets.