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sofar-sogood's avatar
sofar-sogood
Explorer
Jun 01, 2013

Cummins ISL hiccup

Ours is an 03 Cummins ISL with 20K miles. Just serviced with new filters before a trip form Fla to Utah. It ran perfectly until the 4th day when it started to develop a very brief sudden loss of power when climbing small grades. The best that I can describe it is that the engine seems to stop for about 1/2 a second and then picks back up. It happens in all gears and any speed range. It will also occur during moderate acceleration and the event often times has multiple consecutive hiccups several time a minute. It idles fine and runs great on flat grades. I couldnt find and trouble codes on the Allison and I dont get the "check engine light", but Im not sure that I have a check engine light as I dont see one when the ignition is first turned on. Were in Moab and there are no diesel shops here that deal with Cummins. The closest is in Grand Junction. I have checked for loose battery connections, water in fuel, etc. I really dont want to make the trip over to GJ if I dont have to since I have dogs and cats to deal with. If anybody has some trouble shooting ideas it would be greatly appreciated.
Class A
  • bullydogs1's avatar
    bullydogs1
    Explorer
    Jun 01, 2013
    Make sure they used the right filter...but it sounds like it could be sucking air as the gasket to the filter seems like it might not be seated right...
  • The_Texan's avatar
    The_Texan
    Explorer
    Jun 01, 2013
    Either sucking air through a bad filter gasket or a pin hole in the line, OR a bad load of fuel and the filter is starting to plug. If you fueled anywhere but a national truck stop before it started, then I would go with the filter plugging, as the mom & pop stations do NOT double filter like the large national truck stops do. Also, the low volume of a mom & pop station can lead to an algae in the fuel or even water.
  • sofar-sogood's avatar
    sofar-sogood
    Explorer
    Jun 01, 2013
    I refueled at major truck stops along the way. Induction of air into the fuel system sounds like a possibility? Now if I just had filter wrenches big enough to fit the filters.
  • hershey's avatar
    hershey
    Explorer
    Jun 01, 2013
    I too just left Moab on Thurs morning. There is absolutely no one in Moab to help you. I ended up having to be toed to Grand Junction. In Grand Junction I just left Transwest Freightliner. Mechanic name is Matt.
    Similar problem, only I had to be towed in 90 miles. Turned out to be the fuel pump and they diagnosed the problem and had me back on the road in two hours.
    $524.00 and a very happy camper.
    Transwest Freightliner is a top notch operation and honest.
  • sofar-sogood's avatar
    sofar-sogood
    Explorer
    Jun 01, 2013
    Thanks, funny there are 100's of RVs in Moab and not a single RV shop or diesel shop? Did yours act the same as what I described?
  • Blaster_Man's avatar
    Blaster_Man
    Explorer
    Jun 01, 2013
    The Texan wrote:
    ...mom & pop stations do NOT double filter like the large national truck stops do. Also, the low volume of a mom & pop station can lead to an algae in the fuel or even water...


    Not true with all Mom and Pops. We run a regular trip and prefer a good M & P rather than the big truck stops...many of which are crowded, dirty, noisy and a general PITA.
  • The_Texan's avatar
    The_Texan
    Explorer
    Jun 01, 2013
    Actually there are several diesel shops in Moab, on the south end about a mile from town. We used one on the west side of 191 a few years back and the mechanic was very knowledgeable and reasonable. Just ask the locals and you would be amazed at what you can find.
  • hershey's avatar
    hershey
    Explorer
    Jun 01, 2013
    Sorry Texan....but believe me I didn't leave any rock unturned when I was down and out there last Thursday. Yes there is one if you google and the place from the outside looks promising but when you walk in its like an episode from the Horders. What a junk heap. He did sell me a filter and installed it for me for $70 which didn't fix the problem. I begged to get the name of anyone who might work on diesels...he referred me to the wrecker service. Claimed they might do some work. I did and they too told me that the only diesel service would be in Grand Junction.
  • The_Texan's avatar
    The_Texan
    Explorer
    Jun 01, 2013
    Now that is interesting....the town grows and gets more diesel traffic, but the several diesel mechanics that were there have vacated the premises. good information.
  • Ivylog's avatar
    Ivylog
    Explorer III
    Jun 02, 2013
    I had the same indications and after replacing the primay filter with the water drain I had the same problem. I replaced the seconda one in the engine compartment and that solved the problem. I would drain fuel from the one with the drain valve and see what yout get. I would also take off the secondary filter and poor the fuel into a clear container to see if it really needs changing. It would be worth trying to tighten them and you should be able get both hands on them which is usually enough to take them off or tighten. Park with the back of the MH up high so fuel does not run out while you are checking. Turn the key on for 30 seconds several times to prime the system before trying to start. Cleaner made from orange peals helps on getting the diesel smell off our hands and arms.:W

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