New (and some older!) owners of second generation trucks either have,
or WILL become victims of that notorious Cummins engine breather
bottle, attached to the front engine gearcover between the front of the
engine and the radiator.
One weakness in the 2nd generation trucks involves a marginal intake
air filtering system that quickly becomes a bottleneck when even
relatively simple power mods are made that require more intake airflow.
On my own truck, the simple addition of an Edge Comp added enough
airflow demand to pull down the intake Filter Minder by two-thirds on
the first RV tow up a steep Sierra grade - NOT good!
Newcomers - and some older owners don't know exactly what a Lift Pump (LP) is, what it does, and what makes it tick - hopefully this will help towards a better understanding.
Of necessity, one of the single largest issues of importance for the 24
valve Cummins trucks, is the absolute need to carefully monitor fuel
pressure as supplied to the VP-44 injection pump.
WHY added gauges? Because the diesel truck manufacturers have a gas
engine mentality where OEM supplied gauges are concerned, and the
engine monitoring that might be adequate for a gasser, is WELL below
the basic needs for a diesel engine!
Most of us are here because we recognize the superior characteristics
of our trucks that deliver operating and lifespan characteristics far
above typical gas powered vehicles. We're more than simply diesel truck
owners, we're ENTHUSIASTS!
With that in mind, many of us look for ways to preserve the quality
built into our trucks by various means - best possible lubricants -
best filters, best waxes/polish, etc.
As guys seek and add more brute power to these Cummins, weak points surface, one being fuel flow to the Cummins and VP-44. Some guys go to the expen$e of larger lines and fitting for the fuel
system, but for moderate power up around 400 HP or so, the stock lines
do a pretty decent job.
Ever wonder about the accuracy of your Filter Minder attached to your
air cleaner and what the various markings on it translate to in common
pressure values?
full story
printer version
As guys seek and add more brute power to these Cummins, weak points surface, one being fuel flow to the Cummins and VP-44. Some guys go to the expen$e of larger lines and fitting for the fuel
system, but for moderate power up around 400 HP or so, the stock lines
do a pretty decent job.