2006 Cummins ISX 400, low power, lots of black smoke from stack

Discussion in 'Experienced Truckers' Advice' started by methane, Apr 20, 2013.

  1. VisionLogistics

    VisionLogistics Road Train Member

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  3. pawpaw1

    pawpaw1 Medium Load Member

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    Yes , and no. Excess fuel will wash the oil barrier off the cylinders. Then the fuel will wash down into your oil pan. Fuel dilution in the oil can cause major problems with your main and rod Bearings .
    300 miles bobtail , you might get lucky. Loaded trl. , well that's another story .
    You said you were running EB ?
    My advise ? Sit tight . Watch this forum . Guys who know a lot more than i do ,may offer better advice .
    While you're sitting, pick the brains of the mechanics around you. Chances are , one ,at least , will know of a local shop that can help ,with your particular engine.
    Good Luck !
    V
     
  4. pawpaw1

    pawpaw1 Medium Load Member

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    Turbo actuator requires INSITE to check , I think . And then on a 2006 , it won't tell you if it is Actually Working.
    will only tell you the ECM is telling it to open , or close. ISX turbos are only good for about 400,000 miles . How many miles on it ?
    The actuator requires 90 PSI to function correctly. You can't tell that by " feeling " . Least , I can't. Watching it won't tell you anything . Everything happens inside it.
    It's your Engine ? Correct ? Feel like spending $11,000 if you guess wrong ?
    Good Luck !
     
  5. pawpaw1

    pawpaw1 Medium Load Member

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    I'll amend my post . A mechanic could look at the turbo mechanism , on the turbo itself. That would give him a clue , in a shop , as to whether its actually working. Those turbos go from 80% , to 20% . The actual travel , at the turbo , is maybe three quarters of an inch. If that.
    Good Luck !
     
  6. spicyville1

    spicyville1 Bobtail Member

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    I would disconnect the egr. Mine did the same thing and I unplugged mine when the engine was cold and it started running just fine. It will not hurt just to check it out. With a cold engine turn the key on but don't start,allow 30 seconds for the valve to close then unplug bottom electrical connection to the egr. Turn ignition off then start the truck. If it runs better you could have a faulty egr valve. $1100 from cummins and that is for a rebuilt and you install yourself. That was my issue and it solved the problem. Not going to hurt to try.
     
  7. MobiusDiesel

    MobiusDiesel Bobtail Member

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    Just wanted to add something here about Cummins that may help, Locate the EGR sensing tubes/lines, remove them and clean them out, this can be done easily with one wrench, if the delta P isnt plugged up this usually will fix the low power / black smoke issue. ISX, ISM, CM EGR engines apply.
     
  8. crzyjarmans

    crzyjarmans Road Train Member

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    Where did the OP go? curious to the finding of his problem, I always said a 400 motor wasn't a good motor for OTR, heavy loads and mountain climbing, I always got bigger motors, they don't work as hard to pull hills, like a 400 motor would, JMO
     
  9. Wax man

    Wax man Bobtail Member

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    Look folks for all you out there that is losing power and you're blowing black smoke the problem is simple but let's first getting to what people are going to tell you you need a new Turbo you need a new actuator check your EGR valve all that is b******* what is the problem is Cummins put a plastic cap on one of the plugs and what it does as it cuts through the wires now you can spend thousands of dollars or you can check the plug to your crankcase on a Cummins it's on the left side of the filter the wires will get cut I think Cummins did that on purpose if the wires are not cut then get a new crankcase sensor that is where I would start and that is what was wrong with mine problem solved power back running great
     
  10. Wax man

    Wax man Bobtail Member

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    And if I were you and that is the problem I would break that little plastic guard off plug it in and you're good to go that communicates with the ECM and tell us how much fuel and everything to dump into the cylinders you can block off the EGR or unplug it and that will solve your smoking problem but you still lack power like I said the plug to the crankcase
     
  11. snowwy

    snowwy Road Train Member

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    Every ISX i drove. Was the turbo.

    Turbo design was probably one of the worst ever. They don't last long.
     
    BigPerm Thanks this.
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