Hi All: I have about 103,000 miles on my 5.9 cummins engine. I did install a new lift pump in the fuel tank. The old one failed and was located on the block. Aside from that I have not done any work on the engine except install new fuel filter and change oil as suggested in the dodge operator book. Question is what should I be doing to keep the engine running? Currently it is running fine. The guys at the Dodge dealership do not really have any suggestions for me. Thanks for you comments. Jim2007

Jim2007 wrote:Hi All: I have about 103,000 miles on my 5.9 cummins engine. I did install a new lift pump in the fuel tank. The old one failed and was located on the block. Aside from that I have not done any work on the engine except install new fuel filter and change oil as suggested in the dodge operator book. Question is what should I be doing to keep the engine running? Currently it is running fine. The guys at the Dodge dealership do not really have any suggestions for me. Thanks for you comments. Jim2007Buy the best quality smallest micron fuel filter you van find. Your injectors will thank you.Use Fleetguard oil filters stratapore. Geno's Garage is a great place to buy Mopar Cummins/Fleetguard products.Use quality 15/40 oil. Change "ALL" the transmission fluid and filter and adjust both bands at every 30k or so.

:hSounds like you are doing fine.My only suggestion is to NOT skimp on oil filters. Run either the factory Mopar filter or better yet the FLeetguard LF16035 StrataPore oil filter. They'll last longer, and for sure will not allow the media inside the filter to get sucked into the engine, which can and has happened with filters such as Fram for the Cummins diesel.

Good advice above.Just keep up with the maint. like you have been and enjoy the ride!

Valve lash adjustment? I forget if it's due at 100,000 miles or 160,000 miles.

Jim2007 wrote:Hi All: I have about 103,000 miles on my 5.9 cummins engine. I did install a new lift pump in the fuel tank. The old one failed and was located on the block. Aside from that I have not done any work on the engine except install new fuel filter and change oil as suggested in the dodge operator book. Question is what should I be doing to keep the engine running? Currently it is running fine. The guys at the Dodge dealership do not really have any suggestions for me. Thanks for you comments. Jim2007My tid bits...double check fuel lines along valve cover. Those little screws that holds the fuel line sometimes vibrate loose and fuel line tubing vibrates against and rubs a hole in them. Don't go by the filter minder check thing on top of air filter box. My gauge hasn't moved since I've owned it. I change air filter when it looks dirty by looking at it, not the filter minder thing. I'd didn't catch that until I saw some paper/foam falling apart.Find out where the http://www.nwbombers.com/forums/ or a group like that take theirs to be fixed. My old Dodge dealer had 1 guy that new diesels and he moved on. I carry spare filters and belt for non a/c belt to by pass a/c just in case a/c compressor goes out or belt brakes.(I take that back about Dodge dealers, after messing with the anti-rattle thing on my brake pads. I'll let them do the brakes next time).They'll go a long way with clean fuel, oil and airIf your lift pump goes out again, upgrade to a FASS system. The OEM lift pump is a known problem.Ok..somebody elses turn

2004 Dodge diesel | Good Sam Community

27 Replies

C_Schomer
Explorer
Jan 03, 2015
I got my 03 with 25k miles. At 30k I added a 2 micron fuel and a bypass oil filter. I've had diesels for 40+ yrs and use a lubricity additive every tank... on the advice from several mechanics and fuel shops. I guess it pays off, I've never had problems. Craig
freddmc
Explorer
Jan 02, 2015
Just curious Romore, but who do you use for service in your area?

Regards

Fred.
john_bet
Explorer II
Jan 01, 2015
The Mad Norsky wrote:
john&bet wrote:
FishOnOne wrote:
You may want to consider using a diesel fuel additive (i.e. Power Service, Stanadyne) to help with lubricity since those injectors were born during LSD diesel days.

Good luck...
I considered it for about 30 seconds. Still do not use any. No ill effects yet for not. Just me.

Those "ill" effects though can take a long time to show up.

Please remember we're NOT running the fuel with good lubricity we once had, which enabled many to put hundreds of thousands of miles on their diesel trucks trouble free.

Think the old LSD was at a 420 wear scar rating. US ULSD is at 520. So basically 25% less lubricity.
Just how long do you think I have been running this truck since ultra low fuel came out? I bought the truck new in Feb. '04. It had 19 miles on it. I have bought fuel in more states than I can count real quick including several places in S.D. over the years. Evidently my truck is the exception to the norm or is normal. I do not see a majority of owners who have problems out of the hundred of thousands out there. Of all the people who advise like you can not tell me when it will fail. A lot say it should have been 8 years ago or some time. It may never happen in my lift time or in the next 9 years. But it could happen tomorrow. It is a machine and machines fail. After 20 years of maintenance on multi- million dollar machines you and I helped pay for I very well know things will fail when not expected reguardless of how it is maintained and money spent to do so. My opinion and advice just as yours is. Happy New Year.
The_Mad_Norsky
Explorer
Jan 01, 2015
john&bet wrote:
FishOnOne wrote:
You may want to consider using a diesel fuel additive (i.e. Power Service, Stanadyne) to help with lubricity since those injectors were born during LSD diesel days.

Good luck...
I considered it for about 30 seconds. Still do not use any. No ill effects yet for not. Just me.

Those "ill" effects though can take a long time to show up.

Please remember we're NOT running the fuel with good lubricity we once had, which enabled many to put hundreds of thousands of miles on their diesel trucks trouble free.

Think the old LSD was at a 420 wear scar rating. US ULSD is at 520. So basically 25% less lubricity.
Jim2007
Explorer
Jan 01, 2015
Hi all... thanks to all the Dodge diesel owners that answered my question. Jim2007...
Bionic_Man
Explorer
Dec 30, 2014
Never ran any fuel additives in my 03. It was largely troublefree up until the time I traded it in on my '12.

If you are on Facebook, Colorado Diesel Crew is a good group of diesel owners (non-brand specific) that will give you very good advice on where to take the truck for service.
john_bet
Explorer II
Dec 30, 2014
FishOnOne wrote:
You may want to consider using a diesel fuel additive (i.e. Power Service, Stanadyne) to help with lubricity since those injectors were born during LSD diesel days.

Good luck...
I considered it for about 30 seconds. Still do not use any. No ill effects yet for not. Just me.
FishOnOne
Nomad
Dec 30, 2014
Cummins12V98 wrote:
ScottG wrote:
Ya, I hate to disagree with my 12 valve brother but 2 stroke oil will just turn to carbon on the tip of CR injectors.

I assumed it would be ok. Never mind!

I used to run Stanadyne but after 07 with all the emissions the formulas have changed.

I will stick to 2cycle in the 12V that will eat anything.

As to questioning from another about 30K trans changes. I overkill with the best I can find and usually change fluids more often than I have to. It has served me well!

The problem with using a 2 stroke oil (even if it's a low ash type) is that there's still some anti wear metals in the oil. These metals can cause wear on the injector itself especially the precision injectors on a common rail fuel system.
Cummins12V98
Explorer III
Dec 30, 2014
ScottG wrote:
Ya, I hate to disagree with my 12 valve brother but 2 stroke oil will just turn to carbon on the tip of CR injectors.

I assumed it would be ok. Never mind!

I used to run Stanadyne but after 07 with all the emissions the formulas have changed.

I will stick to 2cycle in the 12V that will eat anything.

As to questioning from another about 30K trans changes. I overkill with the best I can find and usually change fluids more often than I have to. It has served me well!
ScottG
Nomad
Dec 30, 2014
Ya, I hate to disagree with my 12 valve brother but 2 stroke oil will just turn to carbon on the tips of CR injectors and is thick enough that it may damage a CP3 over time.