I have a 2006 ram 5.9. I spend winters on the Texas coast(sea level) and the summers in Gunnison CO (7700 ft asl). All is good at sea level but at 7700 ft I get serious black smoke just driving around not towing.I feel no real need to chip my engine to tow my 14000 MGW 5th but I wounder if a unit like the Smarty Jr would allow me to tweek the fuel or what ever to control the mixture and reduce the smoke at altitude.Thanks for looking, Bob

You shouldn't have that much smoke and a programmer (no chips) will only make it worse. I would get it checked out with a competent Cummins mechanic. Do you ever have a hard time starting it? Does the "Wait to start" light ever come one while driving?Air cleaner clean? Do you use an oiled filter?Any codes stored? (cycle ign on-off-on-off-on within 5 seconds to read codes on odo)Scott

As ScottG has inquired....please report back with findings, would help in trouble shooting issue. Should not be smoking as Scott said, could be plugged/dirty air filter, issues with fueling or waste gate issues with the turbo? Without further details hard to pin point. winters on the Texas coast(sea level) and the summers in Gunnison CO could be with time on the coast, that the waste gate actuator may have some rust and its stuck? :h

DirtyOil wrote:As ScottG has inquired....please report back with findings, would help in trouble shooting issue. Should not be smoking as Scott said, could be plugged/dirty air filter, issues with fueling or waste gate issues with the turbo? Without further details hard to pin point. winters on the Texas coast(sea level) and the summers in Gunnison CO could be with time on the coast, that the waste gate actuator may have some rust and its stuck? :hBlack smoke is a sign of not enough boost, or too much fuel, check the pressurized side of the intake system boots and inter-cooler for leaks.

Another item to check related to lack-of-boost (and/or too much fuel) is the MAP sensor. Not uncommon on that motor, however the MAP sensor fault isn't always with the sensor itself.

carringb wrote:Another item to check related to lack-of-boost (and/or too much fuel) is the MAP sensor. Not uncommon on that motor, however the MAP sensor fault isn't always with the sensor itself.That would make sense. Not recognizing the pressure difference when at altitude.

serious smoke | Good Sam Community

45Ricochet
Explorer
Mar 13, 2014
Hey as long as he has the right weight tags, he's good to go in Calif Turtle :W
What does smoke have to do with weight ratings anyway :W Ahh forget it Marty!
FishOnOne
Nomad
Mar 13, 2014
Turtle n Peeps wrote:
Is this your truck? :B

Or was it this one?

All kidding aside we had to replace an bad injector (actually replaced 3 injectors)in our Dodge truck last year due to an increase in smoke and engine rattle at idle.
DirtyOil
Explorer
Mar 13, 2014
Does Madd's even make a tuner for a DMAX I never checked but maybe I suppose.
The company is, are past Cummins guys from what I understand.

Actually MADS electronics is ... uhm dare I say it?

Italian... there I said it! He designed the programmer for the Cummins powered Dodge/Ram/Fiat(for those distractors) only!! A number of USA Cummins owners did the Beta testing for North American trucks for him. Probably one of the best or thee best/safest programmers out there for the Cummins... next to EFI Live(although one can get into trouble with the EFI if not sure of what one is doing). Although with newer MY trucks you can get the REVO, which allows one to "customize" the performance tuning.
Turtle_n_Peeps
Explorer
Mar 13, 2014
Is this your truck? :B
45Ricochet
Explorer
Mar 13, 2014
Ahh come on Larry, I waved when passing you up the Grapevine last Sept or was it Oct :B
Early spring this year buddy. Time to turn that clock to 60k miles back home :W
60K you must still have warranty, oh wait I just read you Sig. Think that killerbee thing killed it, my bad.
larry_barnhart
Explorer
Mar 13, 2014
Never had a need for any programmer but my friend can fill a street using his smarty on his C engine. Just a comment that is true so sorry feelings were hurt.

chevman
45Ricochet
Explorer
Mar 13, 2014
X3
It only smokes from a dead stop when I nail it, and quits within a couple of seconds. Of course the turbo lag did that in stock form also.
Must be a Chevy thing Larry!
Does Madd's even make a tuner for a DMAX :H I never checked but maybe I suppose.
The company is, are past Cummins guys from what I understand.
DirtyOil
Explorer
Mar 13, 2014
Not on a Cummins. Mine might make a little more if I stand on it but it's only a haze. In fact I don't think it would have any trouble passing a smog test even on level 3 (+100 HP).

x2

I tried the Diablo Predator... that thing was redonkulous at making smoke!! Reason why I went to Smarty jr.
DirtyOil
Explorer
Mar 13, 2014
Black smoke is a sign of not enough boost, or too much fuel, check the pressurized side of the intake system boots and inter-cooler for leaks.

If the waste gate is malfunctioning either stuck full or partially open it would slow the turbine speed(reducing the boost pressure), less air/boost you get smoke.(over fuelling)
Primary function of the waste gate is to regulate boost pressures in the turbo, basically to protect both the turbo and the engine.

Work around some big gas Cats 3512, 3516, 3306 and 3520s, when a waste goes on one of these, you not only hear it but see it blowing some good smoke out their stacks!
ScottG
Nomad
Mar 12, 2014
larry barnhart wrote:
Smarty Jr is a serious smoke maker.

chevman

Not on a Cummins. Mine might make a little more if I stand on it but it's only a haze. In fact I don't think it would have any trouble passing a smog test even on level 3 (+100 HP).

Forum Discussion

serious smoke

About Travel Trailer Group

Related Content

Smoke Detectors

Cold Smoked Cheese

Furnace black smoke

Smoked Chuck Roast

Smoked Cowboy Beans