2003 Duramax help

[Packer]

Need some help and direction.

I have a 2003 Duramax short box crew cab with about 70,000 miles. Hypertech programer with level 2 loaded. Stock intake and exhaust. 265 tires.

When heading to Montana christmas night from minneapolis I ran into a small issue. 2 guys with gear in the bed of the truck pulling an open 2 place aluminum trailer with salt shield with a 2002 RMK144 and a 2003 RMK151. So not a lot of weight. Came in on 90/94 to bozman then headed south.

Here is the problem. When we were in montana somewhere between Billings and Bozmen we were heading up one of the big hills and it felt like the truck was having some issues. (cruse set at about 72mph) With this load this truck should pull that trailer in half but when hitting the gas it wouldn't do anything. Put it to the floor and the truck wouldn't speed up, down shift, nothing. It didn't lose a lot of speed or anything going up the hill, just seemed to have zero power in reserve. Same thing happened on the way back. went to hit the gas to speed up and nothing. I had to get into it really slowly for it to speed up. Seems to start and run fine, not alot of smoke at start up or anything. Power just seems to be way down.

Let me know what you think.

Thanks,

Packer

 

[letitsnow]

it might be because you hit the gas but I am not sure j/k. I use to drive from billings to bozeman weekly though and you should have plenty of power on any hill between the two. I would return the truck to stock and see what happens to start with. I doubt it's the program but it would be a simple solution if it is.

 

[Jeff C]

Filters!

 

[Rmk900rider]

Check your programer.

 

[Supplicate]

Filters!

+1

Change your fuel filter first. Mine (03 Dmax) was feeling like it was about to blow up, fall on its face, etc. It was recieving the de-fuel command because of fuel starvation at the filter. Don't let it go too long or you will burn up injectors.

edit:

how many miles since your last fuel filter change? Mine was ~ 40,000 and it was waaaaaay too long. Going to start changing the fuel filter every other oil change. Don't want to risk the engine with how many miles its starting to get (120,000 and climbing).

 

[echox670]

did it build any boost? I had a cummins with an automatic and a programmer and the truck would not respond after about 3/4 throttle. I put a j-hook on the waste gate and it ripped with the extra 7 pounds of boost.

 

[shortstop20]

Change the filter, it's probably worn out. Filter might be gelled up too.

 

[catssuk]

100% positive you have gelled up fuel filter. i had the same problem coming from warm weather, and as soon as i got to freezing weather, the truck wouldnt rev past 2000 rpm, had water in the filter that froze.gelled the filter.replaced it ,only took about 15 min and it runs perfect, i have always kept a spare ever since.

 

[m7john]

Filters!

yep

 

[Packer]

Thanks for the replies. I'll pick up a filter and try that first. Is it pretty obvious to tell if the filter is bad once you take it off? The dealer did my last one, but I wasn't having any problems like this when they changed it, they just said it needed to be changed.

It has probably been a solid 30,000+ miles since then.

Not sure on the boost. Don't have any gauges for that. I'll look into other stuff if this doens't take care of it.

Thanks again,

Packer

 

[shortstop20]

If the new filter is noticeably lighter than the old filter(with the gas drained out of the old one obviously) then there's some gel or water that froze to ice inside your fuel filter. Cut her open and have a look that way you'll know for sure. Sawzall works good. Keep in mind fuel filter that isn't flowing enough fuel is bad for your injectors. It's not something you want to happen. #1 diesel fuel is WAY cheaper than injectors.

 

[Extreme-One]

Father in law has the same truck and no matter how many times I'd tell him to change the fuel filters every 12000-15000 miles he wouldn't. He went on a trip, filled up when it was warm, traveled about 400 miles and it got well below freezing and the truck started running like crap. He called and I told him to change the filter. He said that everything was closed and he couldn't get one. I informed him that I'd but a spare in his tool box and to use that one. He did and within a mile it was running just fine. He now carries a extra filter in his truck and changes it more often.

30,000 miles is way too long between changes. Like I stated before, I change mine every 12,000 miles and always carry a extra one. Not just for in the winter but summer too, never know when you might get water in the fuel.

 

[Packer]

I changed the filter last weekend. It did feel way heavier than the new one and quite a bit of fluid came out of the bottom when I took the water drain plug out. But what a PITA that was to change. It was my first time doing it (dealer did the last one). Couldn't get it to thread up. About an hour later, a couple thrown tools, and some words you don't use in church I decided to make a few calls and figure out what the hell I was doing wrong. Hung up the phone and 5 min later the truck was running. Turned out the rubber inner piece of the old filter stayed on. Man was I frustrated. So next time will be LOTS easier now that I know what to look for.

I'll be changing it more often now and carry a spare. Thanks for all the replies.

Packer

 

[Himark]

Filters!

yep!

 

[Chubby]

I change the filters on mY dodge every 10-12000 miles

 

[Chubby]

Just Wondering

If A Guy Goes Into The Woods With Out Wife And Starts Talking To Him Self Is He Still Wrong??????????????????

 

[Blk88GT]

I agree, change the filter. Every second oil change, or 15k.

 

[preston012088]

911

For all of you that have the lb7 duramax (01-04) Run a fuel conditioner with each tank. The low sulfer diesel is very hard on injectors. also it has anti gel in it for added benefit. Diesel 911 is about the best for the money. Especially when your running a modified ECU. Oh and get a pyrometer. Just a few tips from a diesel guru.

 

[Chubby]

GM diesels pull there fuel rather than push it through the filter. Allways have a spare filter along.

 

[crestview]

Not that i would no, but if you are running farm fuel you need to change the filters often. I change every 10000 miles. I guess do what ever helps you sleep at night.