ISX or ACERT, can't win?

I have an ACERT and not an ISX so I have no personal knowledge of the EGR "bypass" procedure. I heard about it on Kevin Rutheford's radio show on Road Dog Channel. Several callers affirmed that it works. When unplugging the EGR it seems to cause the ECM to default to a setting that is programmed to work w/o the EGR. Fuel mileage and performance increases were reported by all. The check engine light will stay on when the EGR is unplugged. Your personal findings of how the truck runs when the check engine light comes on seem to fall in line with the reports I heard. BTW, they were calling it "test mode" because it is technically illegal to defeat a pollution control device......

I hope some ISX owners try it and report back their results in this forum, maybe a new thread about it.

 

That's pretty good.

 

I'd take number 2 as well, the 18 speed will help with fuel mileage a bit as well i'd believe.

 

I would take #2, assuming that it is a pre-DPF engine. If not, I think I'd keep looking. Although I seem to keep getting trucks with ISX engines, I really don't like or trust them any further than I can throw them.

 

I have an '05 ISX engine in a '06 International 9400i. I have had the EGR unplugged on it since spring. No derate of engine, no CEL, 1 fault code (per dealer checking, an electrical circuit disconnect code). Am averaging 7.4 mpg (compared to 6.4 average prior to unplug) running mostly upper Midwest with average of 38,000 in the box. I usually keep it at around 1400 rpm which gives me 65 mph with 3.42 rears, with an occasional getting into it to get around someone. I have had engine into Cummins twice for some warranty work before the 500K warranty runs out (not related to emissions junk). Both times have had EGR unplugged and they could really care less. This last time, the tech plugged it back in just to follow procedure, but had no problem when I went out and unplugged it in front of him. Have never gotten a hard time from Cummins or my International dealer. Engine runs smoother with less smoke and soot buildup around stack tips. Runs way cooler on hard pulls. On a warm day with the AC on, heavy payload, and a long hill pull, the engine rarely goes above 195F. Most times it just hangs around 180F all day long. A hard pull like Cabbage with a heavy load on a warm day, it may get warm enough to cycle the fan once (recently made a run out there). For midwest stuff, the engine never gets warm enough to cycle the fan. My oil samples are greatly improved with way less soot and slightly lower metal wear numbers. The oil now actually stays looking clean for several thousand miles after a change instead of getting black soon like before.

Unplugging the EGR was the best thing I have done to this engine. Don't have anything to do with California, so that is a non issue. Not worried about DOT checking.... there is probably only a small handful of DOT across the entire nation that even would know where to look for the EGR. This doesn't seem to work with an '07 or later with the DPF without problems. And it may react different than mine depending on ECM software version or what truck the engine is in (whether it shows a CEL or not).

 

Thanks for the post.
I have a 2003 Volvo with the cummins ISX .I'm thinking to unplug the EGR..?How do you do that ?
Thanks.

 

The EGR valve for your '03 is on the right side just in front of the turbo. You would let your engine sit long enough to get completely cool. Then turn the key on (without starting) and leave it on (keeps the valve closed), then go out and unplug the lower (6 o'clock position) plug on the EGR. It pulls out towards the block. Tape the plug and receptacle to keep out water. That's it. Picture of EGR unplugged here:

 

There isn't enough load on the engine to get above 30psi. Hook a trailer to it and see. I'm not sure why you'd be scared of the twin turbo cat, not like the variable geometry turbo of the ISX is any cheaper to fix. I'm not saying the ISX is junk or the Cat is without issues but I've known 2 people here locally who both had and ISX (one still does) and when both bought new trucks neither was red under the hood. The guy who still has one has 11 dump trucks (all KW) and this was his only Cummins. Brand loyalty only goes so far when that kind of money is involved. Nobody is going to buy that many trucks with one engine brand because they like the color if another brand is cheaper to run, maintain and is more reliable.