Got 2 truck problems ... please help

Alot of the bigger repair shops pay their employees on the timeclock,instead of commission/percentage pay.To me -it lets the shop profit more and they can hire less skilled mechanics.Most are parts changers who depend on a computer program to diagnose and repair anything.

 

That is the truth there! I wish the one really good mechanic I knew had not moved to AZ! The guy was a natural at it, and could tell more about what was wrong with a car than any computer ever will.

 

Yeah you would think that by going to a dealership you would be getting a good "mechanic". It's just not happening these days.

I've been having a problem with my truck it is getting air into the fuel system causing it to kill and other problems. Brought it to the dealership and all they did was change parts and never solved the problem. It acted right for about a week and it's been doing the same thing so now I don't know who to go to.

 

What kind of truck and motor do you have. I know four guys that have had the same problem and I may be able to help ya.

 

It is a 387 Peterbilt (which I have discovered is a Freightliner Century Class in sheeps clothing ), with a stupid 435 c-14 acert CAT. I only get 5 mpg driving 60-65 and turning it off at night.

Anyway, the spitter has been replaced twice, and it hasn't solved the problem. The vent lines have been blown out and it hasn't solved the problem. I have tinkered with the right pickup valve to keep the tanks halfway level, but I believe the left pickup line is sucking air somewhere and I can't find it. The truck sounds like it is going to run out of fuel when going up a hill, heavy loaded.

The problem with the ps was the pump - it was replaced along with the rocker arm when I got towed into Doonans at Wichita. I know I am not supposed to do this on here, but I want to tell y'all that those folks at Doonan's in wichita treated me with the utmost dignity and respect and I will be giving them my business in the future if possible. They were fair with the tow rate and they will do a pm for $200 (including coolant filter changed) - that is cheaper than the TA. Anyway, if I get in trouble for that, I'll have to deal with it - the people out here who are still treating drivers fairly should be praised.

 

There is a thread on here where you can "praise" your favorite shops...It is called "Over the road repair shop guide" or something similar and should be at the top of the o/o section as a sticky.

 

I would check to see if you are running the right size fuel filters. CAT and the OEM's had a problem with the wrong size (and sometimes defective) fuel filter bases being installed on the frame rail. Many guys I know can only run CAT fuel filters cause of this problem. The filters for the most part don't flow enough or the top flange, where the gasket is, will flex when you tighten it which causes air to enter the system. Not only will this cause you to lose mpg's and a ruff idle, but the motor will have injectors start to fail.

My question is how did you come to the conclusion that the left pickup is sucking air. I don't doubt you I'm just curious. Let us know if we can help some more.

 

buddy has 05 387 with same power steering problems. he says problem is with bushing at firewall where shaft goes thru. high spray area collects alot of crap. try some spray lube. problem should go away according to him.

 

Sat all dad-gummed day at the shop in charlotte, NC today and my fuel problem still hasn't improved. They blew out the vent lines, checked the return lines, and changed the o-rings on the fuel caps. Remember that the splitter has been changed twice before. If anyone has any suggestions please post up - PLEASE DO NOT THINK YOUR SUGGESTION IS SILLY - I WILL LISTEN AND TRY IT !!! THANKS

 

Did you read this post? It's worth a look.


http://www.thetruckersreport.com/tr...-peterbilt-fuel-tanks-grrrrrr.html#post746889