A buddy of mine owns the older 12 valve Cummins and his fuel mileage has gone down. A dodge mechanic said he needed to pull the injectors and put washer under the springs. Don't know much about diesel maintains but does this sound right? I would think new injectors would be the way to go. If I am right, what injector do you dodge guys recommend? He only has 140,000 miles on the engine. The guy wants $300 to pull the injectors and put the washers under the springs. Really don't know what he is talking about. Any help on this subject would be appreciated. Edited by: TX-DMAX

Cummins!!! NOT cummings

Well excuse me for my ignorance. Didn't know you dodge boys was so sensitive.

Putting washers under the springs??? I would assume that he is talking about raising the injection pressure? I would pull the injectors and have them checked by a reputable injection shop. I really dought that with only 140,000 miles that he needs injectors. How does the truck run otherwise, what kind of mileage is he getting, what year is the truck, what trans, what rear gear ratio does he have.

With only 140000 miles on the truck....... elkhunter01 is right, seems soon to be replacing the injectors. However I just worked on a set of injectors on a buddy's 94 Powerstroke at 170000 miles. He took it to a diesel shop and they used a diagnostic tool and found that the injectors were bad, likely dirty. I took them out and had him take them in to get cleaned and checked out individually and then I replaced them. It ended up costing him about $55.00 an injector (O-rings are expensive), some cost a little more (depends on what parts are replaced). He first noticed the problem by an increase in noise, and a decrease in mileage (about 4mpg) Just thought I would share.

I would say that they are probably dirty also. Although, I have seen several sets that seem to lose punch around 150,000 kmi. They still work, but a fresh set really gives the engine a new set of legs. I have had great luck with a fresh fuel filter change and a healthy dose of Total Power additive (at least twice if not three times the normal dosage). This may help get him back to where he wants to be. Although, cleaning, test, and tune of the injectors usually runs around $250. So it all depends on how far you want to go. I'd go for the additive route first. Then pull the injectors and take them to a reputable shop. And not the hunyuck that wants to shim the injector springs. That's not how it's done. Feel free to email me with any questions. Or post them here. Good luck.

Thanks men, I will print all this out and take it to him and let him make up his mind. If he has any more questions I will get it posted back here. He doesn't have a PC so I am trying to help him out and not let some wrench monkey take his money for something he does not need.


elkhunter01--I think it is a 97 model, 1 ton dually, with a 5 speed manual transmission. Don't know the rear gear ratio.

TX-DMAX, I pulled the injectors at 110K on my 93 Dodge Cummins. I pop tested them and they were out of spec. I believe that they should all be within 100 psi of each other. If anyone can help me out on this...it's been a while. I bought 6 new injectors from Cummins. At that time they were only $90.each...unlike my stinking 03 Duramax..Be sure to use NEW banjo washers and injector seals/washers. Get the same kind of banjo washers that came from the factory. They look like two washers connected in a U. This makes it much easier to reconnect the fuel return lines. Buy an extra washer just incase you drop one and can't find it. The injector change made the engine run a little smoother. The truck now has 340K. If your friend’s truck runs good now...don't mess with it. Run some injector cleaner through it and drive it for a couple more years. Keep an eye on the coolant for traces of motor oil. The oil coolers on SOME of the older Cummins started leaking around 130K...Mine has never had that problem. Good Luck! http://www.dieselplace.com/forum/smileys/smiley4.gif

What year? If its a first gen he should just get a set of POD's and have fun. If newer he should just go bigger and have fun. Heck with adding a washer.

You can also try here www.dieseltruckresource.com (http://www.dieseltruckresource.com)