New (to me) Diesel

Riverman · 03-01-2018, 06:16 PM

Just picked up a new to me 2009 Dodge 2500 with the 6.7 Diesel. This truck has low miles, a mega cab and is in extra clean condition.

This truck has to last me a long time as I am now on SS and no big income anymore.

Guys, Please tell me how to give this engine the very best of care so it will outlast me.

Fuel filters, oil filters, air filters, fuel or oil treatments?, etc.

I'm so blessed...

Thanks for your help.

PMC · 03-01-2018, 09:53 PM

Great truck. I'd head over to cumminsforum and hit up the 07.5-09 6.7L sub forums and read up. Genos Garage is a great vendor for filters (fuel,oil,air)and anything cummins related.

Enjoy the new (to you) truck!!

WestTexasRanger · 03-06-2018, 12:11 PM

Your Cummins, like all diesel engines produced since 2008, will have a DPF (Diesel Particulate Filter), an EGR system (Exhaust Gas Recirculation) and an EGR cooler.

While these systems work well to keep our atmosphere clean, they use extra fuel & heat to periodically clean/regenerate the DEF and inject unburned soot back into the engine via the EGR. If the EGR cooler should crack (common problem), coolant can find it's way into the engine oil passages.

Below is a picture of an EGR valve after 45,000 miles. Not only is that gunk in the valve, but it's being circulated back through the intake system on your engine for "re-burn". Definitely not healthy for your truck's long-term health!

My advice: Lose the DPF, by-pass or remove the EGR system and keep your fuel filters changed every 10,000 miles. If you do these things, the Cummins will last you a lifetime, plus you'll get a little more power and an increase in fuel economy.

Check-out the Cummins Diesel Forums and look under "performance modifications" or the following videos. I don't believe that that the 2009 model has a DEF (Diesel Exhaust Fluid/ Urea) system, so you can ignore that, if shown on the video. Also, replacement of the entire exhaust system (as shown in the video) isn't required.

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=ki5FWvBuaeI

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=re7sV-KiAGs

curver900 · 03-06-2018, 01:48 PM

saving the "planet" one engine at a time...

Highlander350h · 03-06-2018, 03:24 PM

On my 05 Silverado Duramax I blocked the EGR with a plate, re-routed the pcv lines under the truck (they originally fed back into the turbo mouthpiece) and used a "fingerstick" to trick the ECM so this setup doesn't throw a code. I can run the truck 1000 mi. and pull the dipstick and the oil is still relatively clean.

Big1 · 03-06-2018, 03:37 PM

Congrats! I just bought my first cummins also it's a 2017 I would love to do a delete but don't want to void my warranty yet but when it's over I will be doing it and like it have being said go over to the cummins forum I belong their a lot of good folks there.

vcbice · 03-06-2018, 04:32 PM

We just got rid of our 2009 cummins. At about 110k miles the turbo threw a code, the dreaded VGT code. Some people are lucky and get the code before the 100k mile warranty runs out. We had to install a new turbo. I decided at the time just to do the whole thing, exhaust manifold all the way back with new stuff, along with a complete delete of the emissions stuff. The bonus is gas mileage increases at least 10% and much of the time it was 20% higher than stock. Total cost was around $6k.

Others around here just do the deletes and install a tuner. The problem with the VGT is the soot builds up and stops it from operating. That means a new turbo in most cases (or a rebuild if you have the time to let it sit that long). Get rid of the emissions stuff and the soot does not build up.

If you live in an area with emissions tests you may need to have the "reversible" delete done. It is about a 2 hr job to put everything back for the test (down pipe swap is the hard part).

Bookemdanno · 03-06-2018, 05:21 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Big1

Congrats! I just bought my first cummins also it's a 2017 I would love to do a delete but don't want to void my warranty yet but when it's over I will be doing it and like it have being said go over to the cummins forum I belong their a lot of good folks there.

I'm of the same opinion as you...I've got 2 yrs left on my factory warranty. When that's gone, I'll be deleting.

**Midnightmoon** · 03-06-2018, 05:59 PM

Head studs, head studs, head studs. I can't say it enough. If you delete and program 6.7L, install ARP head studs at the same time. I can't tell you the number of head gaskets I've done on deleted 6.7's.

Sorry, back to the regularly scheduled programming already in progress.

SkyBound · 03-09-2018, 08:44 AM

I had ARP head studs in my Turbo Supra. Never had a worry about head gasket after that, no matter how much boost I threw at it. Great product.

SouthCo · 03-09-2018, 09:04 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Riverman

Just picked up a new to me 2009 Dodge 2500 with the 6.7 Diesel. This truck has low miles, a mega cab and is in extra clean condition.

This truck has to last me a long time as I am now on SS and no big income anymore.

Guys, Please tell me how to give this engine the very best of care so it will outlast me.

Fuel filters, oil filters, air filters, fuel or oil treatments?, etc.

I'm so blessed...

Thanks for your help.

Riverman, congrats on the new vehicle. I’m sure your going to get some good info here but I would definitely recommend joining a Dodge/Cummings specific forum as well.

Routine maintenance of all fluids, filters and keeping it clean to help with rust will go a long way.

bdreinv · 03-09-2018, 09:44 AM

Hi we have an 2006 3500 we bought new, our first diesel also!Contaminated fuel is a diesel fuel injector killer over time.We added Mopars extreme fuel filter, inexpensive. Thanks

**Midnightmoon** · 03-09-2018, 09:44 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by SouthCo

Riverman, congrats on the new vehicle. I’m sure your going to get some good info here but I would definitely recommend joining a Dodge/Cummings specific forum as well.

Routine maintenance of all fluids, filters and keeping it clean to help with rust will go a long way.

X2. I recommend www.tdr1.com

Tumbleweed44 · 03-09-2018, 12:22 PM

Better fuel filtration is a must. Also, run the exhaust brake whenever you drive the truck, this will help keep the turbo vanes moving freely.

Dan · 04-18-2018, 07:45 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Midnightmoon

Head studs, head studs, head studs. I can't say it enough. If you delete and program 6.7L, install ARP head studs at the same time. I can't tell you the number of head gaskets I've done on deleted 6.7's.

Sorry, back to the regularly scheduled programming already in progress.

I'm going to do a full DPF / EGR Delete, but the tuner I'm using will be set at the stock tune (I might bump it up a little hp but not much do to 68 transmission). If running a stock tune more or less, would I have the headgasket concerns you're speaking of?

**Midnightmoon** · 04-19-2018, 07:14 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Dan

I'm going to do a full DPF / EGR Delete, but the tuner I'm using will be set at the stock tune (I might bump it up a little hp but not much do to 68 transmission). If running a stock tune more or less, would I have the headgasket concerns you're speaking of?

It really depends on the tune. To be safe, I would do the studs now.

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