Check Engine Light...Again

tlucier

tlucier

Well-Known Member
Joined
Jun 3, 2007
Location
Mebane, NC
In April of this year I bought a 2008 Dodge Ram 3500, 6.7 L, 68RFE auto with 8K on the odo. It was great until 8/12 when the check engine light came on at 10.9K miles. The dealer said they flashed the system with updates to correct and "don't worry, it didn't throw a code to replace the turbo. But you should drive with the exhaust brake on." Hmmm...why did he say that? Ok, no problem. Since I got it back I've had the exhaust brake on at all times. So today with 11.6K on the odo it throws another CEL warning. WTF? I didn't buy this thing to have it in the shop every 4 - 6 weeks? You think they're trying to drag it out until after the warranty period? I'm pretty cheesed off. What do you guys think?
 
tlucier said:
In April of this year I bought a 2008 Dodge Ram 3500, 6.7 L, 68RFE auto with 8K on the odo. It was great until 8/12 when the check engine light came on at 10.9K miles. The dealer said they flashed the system with updates to correct and "don't worry, it didn't throw a code to replace the turbo. But you should drive with the exhaust brake on." Hmmm...why did he say that? Ok, no problem. Since I got it back I've had the exhaust brake on at all times. So today with 11.6K on the odo it throws another CEL warning. WTF? I didn't buy this thing to have it in the shop every 4 - 6 weeks? You think they're trying to drag it out until after the warranty period? I'm pretty cheesed off. What do you guys think?
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The reason he told you to drive with the exhaust brake on is it helps keep the turbo clean. The reason is gets dirty is because of the egr. The best thing you can do is delete the dpf and egr. If not you're in for problems and CELs for the rest of the time you own the truck. The 4th injection event that occurs during regen causes fuel to be diluted into your oil. The EGR builds up a ton of carbon in your intercooler and intake tract. And it all causes terrible fuel mileage. I deleted mine with 1k miles on the truck and wish I would've done it the day I brought it home. I gained 5-7 mpg, truck runs cooler, and now I don't have to worry about my engine lasting half as long as it should.
 
This is my first diesel truck. During an annual inspection, does the service shop look to see if all of the emissions related components are on the truck (dpf & egr)?
 
Yeah I did an H&S Mini Maxx with a Flo Pro 5" turbo back straight pipe and H&S EGR Delete. I don't have any concern here. There are no check engine lights on and that's usually all they look for on a diesel. It all depends on the shop tho. H&S has excellent customer service and an excellent product. Smarty is also very good on a 6.7. Those are the only two I would recommend.
 
your saving grace as far as inspections and visual inspection, MOST ( not all ) inspectors have no clue what to look for on the diesels, so unless something is glaringly obvious, and there is no check engine light, you're pretty much good on that respect.
 
Blkvoodoo said:
your saving grace as far as inspections and visual inspection, MOST ( not all ) inspectors have no clue what to look for on the diesels, so unless something is glaringly obvious, and there is no check engine light, you're pretty much good on that respect.
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X2. And there is nothing required other than a safety inspection on a diesel. There is no connection to the OBD-II port as of right now.
 
Let me add a bit to this thread. Im a diesel tech at our local Dodge dealer in Asheville. Before you remove ANY emissions equipment or add ANY power adders, you need to know that Chrysler has mandated that dealers report any and all tampering on 6.7's. In the past there have been "cool with mods dealers" (we were one ourselves). But now we, the dealers, can be penalized by the maufacturer severely for not reporting. We even have to report if a customer does not keep up with oil changes and fuel filter replacents. On that note make sure that you install one of the new 2 micron fuel filter kits that are out now from Chrysler.
By removing emissions equipment or adding even a cold air kit, you stand a good shot at losing your engine and powertrain warranty. This is not a dealer issue, but a corporate deal. We will now have to be the stereotypical dealer jerks because we have to.
Have faith in the new flash you recieved recently. It should all but eliminate most all EGR and sooting issues out there now.
I hate having to report stuff like I do now, but when we, the dealer, gets charged back for $$$ repairs, we have to do what they tell us to.
 
So I brought it in to the dealer this morning at 7:30 and they called me at 11. It's getting a new turbo. Part was in stock but they won't have the replacement done until sometime tomorrow. So the big question in my mind is will I need another turbo in another 11k miles?

Jody - thanks for the info. Are you serious about adding a cold air intake voiding the warranty? Seems a bit extreme. What can you tell me about the turbo replacement? Should I expect to replace it again in a short period of time? I know you can't predeict the future (and if you can, can you help me with the Powerball numbers?) but based on your experience what do you think?
 
tlucier said:
So I brought it in to the dealer this morning at 7:30 and they called me at 11. It's getting a new turbo. Part was in stock but they won't have the replacement done until sometime tomorrow. So the big question in my mind is will I need another turbo in another 11k miles?
Jody - thanks for the info. Are you serious about adding a cold air intake voiding the warranty? Seems a bit extreme. What can you tell me about the turbo replacement? Should I expect to replace it again in a short period of time? I know you can't predeict the future (and if you can, can you help me with the Powerball numbers?) but based on your experience what do you think?
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ANY poweradders require us to tattletale. That includes CAI, programmers, tunes, (we can tell if its been removed prior to a dealer visit), any pre-DPF exhaust work, removal of any emissions stuff. Keep in mind that we dont void anything (dealers cannot void warranties, only manufacturers can) we only report these things to Chrysler.
Basically, keep it stock, use ONLY Mopar, Fleetgaurd or Cummins filters, period. Do not remove emissions stuff. Keep it stock for as long as you want a powertrain warranty.
Sucks, but its how we (all Chrysler/Jeep/Dodge) dealers are required to be now.
The turbo is most likely "sooted" up. After its replacement and the J35 flash that was done, you should have no more sooting issues. If you do, it's under warranty at least.
 
Oh yeah, Solar Yellow05 knows his stuff. Im just giving ya the dealer side of things. Listen to Adam, he's VERY knowledgeable about Cummins especially.
 
Basically it comes down to this. Hypothetically Adam (SolarYellow05) brings his 09 6.7 into my dealer for an turbo issue. Adam's truck has a CAI, DPF and EGR delete and a program installed. Me, being his buddy, says "No prob bro, I'll hook ya up. I'll get it covered." I do the repair under warranty and Adam leaves happy.
Now *should* he go to another dealer and that dealer DOES report the poweradders and emissions removal to Chrysler, then we get charged back for that claim. In other words, we do not get reimbursed for our warranty work and we're out approx $3000.
You see, this has been happening a lot. Also when Cummins gets back the parts replaced under warranty and they inspect them, they can tell if the part is failed due to tampering or an issue on their part. If it is due to tampering, they charge back Chrysler, who then charges back the dealer, who then charges back me, the tech.
To the OP, my cell # is in my sig, if ya need some dealer help, call me.
 
BIGWOODY said:
Doesn't this thread make all the people thinking about buying a new CTD all warm and fuzzy inside?
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[pansy voice on] As long as you keep it stock it should.[pansy voice off]

Sucks for sure. But its Chrysler's way of stopping the flow of wasteful warranty dollars. I agree with ya Greg.
 
BIGWOODY said:
Doesn't this thread make all the people thinking about buying a new CTD all warm and fuzzy inside?
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GET OUTTA MY HEAD!

It's funny that the big trucks aren't having NEAR the issue that the light duty trucks are.. Guess it's because those get worked hard, and burn all that crap out.

I think I'll stick with my el-cheapo gasser that I know how to fix..
 
BIGWOODY said:
I don't blame them a bit, but replacing a turbo with 11k on it wouldn't make me feel secure in the durability of my purchase. I'll keep racking miles on my 01'.
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Luckily we don't replace 6.7 turbo because of a mechanical failure, but due to sooting. The electronic motor on the turbo cannot operate properly once the turbo gets excess soot build up. We can try to clean it, try to actuate the motor to clean off the soot, but for customer satisfaction purposes I usually just replace it.
They recently released a flash for permanantly repairing the sooting issues. So far so good, but time will tell.
I would have one in a heartbeat, but I have no car payments anymore. Gonna keep it that way. Makes it easier to waste money on 2 different types of racing that way.
 
Rich said:
GET OUTTA MY HEAD!

It's funny that the big trucks aren't having NEAR the issue that the light duty trucks are.. Guess it's because those get worked hard, and burn all that crap out.

I think I'll stick with my el-cheapo gasser that I know how to fix..
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Actually they have as many or more issues than the light duty trucks. My dad delivered new trucks up until about a year ago. Everything but Peterbilt, and he broke down on the way to the dealer on a regular basis. It was more common for him to break down than it was for him to make it there without a problem.
 
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