N-14 Troubles

Discussion in 'Trucks [ Eighteen Wheelers ]' started by mrbamcclain, Mar 9, 2013.

  1. mrbamcclain

    mrbamcclain Light Load Member

    258
    116
    May 25, 2011
    Hammond, La
    0
    Ok, I thought I had figured this problem out during the summer when I had some work done at Freightliner. But it's rearing it's head again now that the weather is warming up.

    98 Century with an N-14

    When it's cold I can run my tanks as low as I want and have no problems. But if at anytime the ambient temp gets over 60 and I'm low on fuel the truck derates itself once warm. On a cold start I can get maybe 40 miles then it starts acting up. If I top off the tanks at this time the problem will go away. I did have it happen one time last summer on a trip out west where I actually did have fuel and it did it as well, but only that one time.
    I don't have a fuel heater so I've ruled that part out. I'm thinking maybe with low fuel amounts it's returning too hot or either going through the cooling plate and possibly heating up the ecm too much.

    What say you?
     
  2. Truckers Report Jobs

    Trucking Jobs in 30 seconds

    Every month 400 people find a job with the help of TruckersReport.

  3. little cat 500

    little cat 500 Road Train Member

    1,949
    1,004
    Jan 17, 2010
    Abbottstown PA
    0
    maybe try a fuel cooler on it
     
  4. JohnP3

    JohnP3 Road Train Member

    1,594
    682
    Feb 21, 2010
    Rock Creek B.C. Canada
    0
    When you get the tanks lower on fuel you are pulling more vacuum on the fuel system, and it may be just sucking air. You can open the fuel tank and with a flash light, look into the tank, and see if you are blowing bubbles. You can have the restriction tested on the fuel system at the pump suction side compucheck fitting. anything above 6 inches with a new filter is to much and the cooler plate could be plugged. They are expensive, get the system tested. I made up fittings so I could tap in to the system.
     
  5. mrbamcclain

    mrbamcclain Light Load Member

    258
    116
    May 25, 2011
    Hammond, La
    0
    Yeah I've heard that it can be quite expensive for a new cooler plate. Is it possible to route around it without damaging the unit? I've checked my tanks for debris in the lines or even cuts/holes. The problem is during the colder months here I haven't had the problem except when the temperature goes up.
     
  6. JohnP3

    JohnP3 Road Train Member

    1,594
    682
    Feb 21, 2010
    Rock Creek B.C. Canada
    0
    NO you can not reroute it, the ECM needs the fuel flow to keep it cool. Be sure you are using the FS1000 filter do not use the FS1001.
    Just a thought!
     
  7. mrbamcclain

    mrbamcclain Light Load Member

    258
    116
    May 25, 2011
    Hammond, La
    0
    Where could I get a fuel cooler?
     
  8. cetanediesel

    cetanediesel Medium Load Member

    470
    186
    Mar 26, 2013
    Albany, NY
    0
    You could just use a pick up tranny cooler. Plumb it before or after the engine.
     
  9. blanco

    blanco Road Train Member

    1,221
    296
    Nov 20, 2009
    Gwinnett County, GA
    0
    sounds like an o-ring somewhere is expanding and contracting with weather changes causing air? or restricting fuel to engine. (could also be old rubber hoses collapsing on the inside)

    de-rating? what is it doing? running rough? any codes? is it going uphill/downhill or just on plain level ground.

    get a fuel pressure guage and start there.

    as suggested when it starts doing this,, look in fuel tanks and see if you see bubbles.
     
  10. mrbamcclain

    mrbamcclain Light Load Member

    258
    116
    May 25, 2011
    Hammond, La
    0
    It derates itself down to 1400rpm not matter the roadway. I'm not too sure about any air leaks or fuel hose issues, because if I top off with I'm thinking cooler fuel the problem goes away. For instance where I am now the weather is cool and I'm down to 1/4 fuel and no problems. If temp were higher now I'd be crawling along to a fill up.

    Would a fass system operate like a cooler as well?
     
  • Truckers Report Jobs

    Trucking Jobs in 30 seconds

    Every month 400 people find a job with the help of TruckersReport.