New 3500HD Diesel acting up

[LuvRving]

My new D/A is acting up with 9300 km on it. Probably nothing serious. Under load (towing) there is burring noise and vibration like an exhaust leak. The vibration is not a knocking vibration but it sounds like a cracked manifold flange that I had in a gas engine some time ago. Also, you can feel the vibration in the steering wheel and it is exaggerated when you turn the steering wheel slightly left or right. This is most pronounced at between 85 and 95 kph, higher than that the symptoms go away. Pulling upgrade is the worst. Both problems seem to be related, that is the exhaust noise and the sensation in the steering. I'm not that use to the new diesel sounds yet but this is a new sound and getting worst. I can hear the noise slightly without the load at around 35 kph. When the trans shifts it helps the situation. It shifts and pulls great and I love this new tow vehicle!

I have an appointment at the dealership on Friday and just wondered if I could suggest what might be wrong given all your experiences out there!

Unrelated question: should I be draining off any water from my fuel filter and how often? Is this difficult to do and does the system have to be primed after the drain?

I can't find the block heater cord not that I will need it yet! The manual says it's attached to the fuse panel under the hood but I can't see it.

Thanks for any info you can provide!

Joe

[Mike Clay]

There is a downpipe tsb for the 2011 2012 trucks, its an alignment issue. Sounds like thats what it is on yours. The only time water might be drained from mine is when the fuel filter is changed. The cord should be wrapped up under the passenger side battery.

[Rob & Cathy]

. The only time water might be drained from mine is when the fuel filter is changed.

You don't have a drain port?

Rob

[Mike Clay]

Yes but never anything in it so never use it. I think in the 12 years I owned my Dodge trucks I may have drained them a total of 4 times

[snoking]

What he said^^^^!

I have been thinking about changing the FF on my Dodge. I monitor fuel pressure at the output of the filter and have seen no decrease in pressure under a heavy pull. I will most likely be embarrassed when I check my log. Probably three years+! Never seen water in the few times I have drained it. Truck is 11 years old.

Went and looked!!! Last FF was at 69K(12/02/08) and clock is now at 101K. It's time! I will pull element and look in the bowl for water. "Getting old is a bummer, I use to enjoy staying on top of these things!" If I get much older, I will have to buy one of those new trucks that needs dealer care, loving and my credit card!

Need to review the log on the Cummins and tranny's in the boat also. Got to go fine some more Delo 15-40 CI-4+. My local NAPA normally has it in 5 gal pails. Two pails covers the yearly oil changes in the three Cummins. 4B150's take 11.5 quarts with long filters and 11 quarts in the truck totals 34 quarts. 8.5 gallons!!! Pails are a bit of a pain. I keep a stock of old Delo gallon jugs to work with. ??? Did I just highjack this thread?

Chris

[Rob & Cathy]

Unrelated question: should I be draining off any water from my fuel filter and how often? Is this difficult to do and does the system have to be primed after the drain?

I've checked mine four times in the last 11000 miles but it's so easy to do I figure why not and I've found nothing but clean diesel. With that said I never checked it on my '97 7.3 truck.

Rob

[bigbunkhouse]

The new trucks are so finiky that i practice better safe than sorry. The Drain is easy to get to so on the 25 ish trucks I maintain I drain them every time I change the oil. Also helps keep fuel from running everywhere when you unscrew the filter covers.

[Chief409]

With the water detector on the first fuel filter, and it's supposed to be checked every oil change, I haven't checked mine. So far, 2 oil and filter changes in 11,000 miles. One on schedule, another one a week later because instead of a cap on the oil filler tube, I found a funnel, and a mess when I was checking under the hood prior to our trip to Pacific Beach. All fixed, oil and filter changed again, AND the mess cleaned up at no additional cost. If the water detected light comes on, it's easy to drain the filter.

Jeff

[LuvRving]

I was in for service and it was nothing serious. There was some type of pipe or hose hitting on the firewall. They have ordered a new design pipe of some sort. The mechanic just moved the pipe slightly and with a test drive the noise was gone.

They recommended changing an external trans. filter at 10000 km since I am towing. The mechanic said it gives the internal filter more life span.

I also, had the tires rotated so we are back in business!

[Mike Clay]

Changed mine at 500 miles to get the break in yuk out. It is a good idea to have it done.