Ram 2500 water in fuel?

[joshuabardwell]

I have a 2007 Dodge Ram 2500. In the last few weeks, it has been having trouble starting when it's cold sometimes. The dealer is saying there's water in the fuel and they've got to flush the system, change the fuel filter, and clean the injectors, to the tune of around $700. If the injectors have to be replaced, it's around a $4k job. :shocked::shocked::shocked:

Any input y'all might have is welcome. Is the flush/clean something I can do myself? How the heck did water get into my fuel in the first place? The truck is run regularly and we only use fuel from the truck stop. Why didn't the "water in fuel" warning light go off?

 

[JerryK]

DieselRam.com is an excellent source for info on your truck. I assumate that you are talking about a diesel truck.. ??? Lot's of things can cause hard starting.. Do you notice that the dash lights dim.. showing that the grid heaters are cycling..?? Air in the fuel lines.. have you recently installed a new filter, maybe not get the cap screwed on tight..?? Have you tried draining any crud out of the fuel filter with the drain cock..?? I have run mine for years and have never had any water in the fuel, so I can't tell you about the function of the water in fuel sensor that is in the fuel filter assembly. Getting fuel like you do at a well used truck stop is good, but you could still have gotten some water or other gunk. Weak batteries can cause hard starting, diesels like being turned over at a certain RPM to fire, and some are touchy if you are cranking at a lower rate. All I got, sorry... Fritz's Ram Page TECH-BOARD Forums has a lot of good stuff, too.

 

[JBourquin]

Another good source of info: http://www.cumminsforum.com/

 

[joshuabardwell]

A little more info for y'all. Yeah--it is a diesel. Sorry. I forget that y'all aren't psychic.

The batteries are known to be low. Part of that is because we have been cranking the truck extra to get it started, but now that you mention it, this may be switching the cause and effect. It may be that the truck is hard starting because the batteries are low. The first time my girlfriend killed the batteries cranking it, I thought, "Sheesh. You ought to be able to crank it more than three times without the battery dying." It also occurs to me that if the batteries are low, the grid heater may not be producing the amount of heat that it needs to to properly preheat the incoming air, resulting in hard starting.

I called my usual mechanic, and he said the code the ECM threw was P-2509, which when he traced out his troubleshooting flowchart, ended up at "replace the ECM," which is how I ended up at the dealer. But when I called him back and told him about the dealer's diagnosis, he was suspicious and said that he thought the truck ran just fine once it was warm, which was not consistent with bad fuel or damaged injectors. He suggested putting two new batteries into it, a couple bottles of rubbing alcohol in the tank to clear out any water, and some diesel fuel treatment.

 

[JerryK]

You are at the age that batteries could be near their lifetime... Those big honkers aren't cheap, though. Maybe try jumping it with a good truck, and see if it starts any better before you spend all that time crying about the price of them batteries... [ mine are still both the original, but I unhooked my grid heaters about four years ago.... Still starts OK, get some white smoke, but I didn't have to go ask how much them there honker batteries cost ]

 

[Egon]

Charge the batteries, check voltage.


Do you have a water alarm for the fuel?

Drain the fuel filter and check for water.

 

[hogheadCTD]

The water in fuel light on the Dodges are worthless. Its pretty much too late by the time it comes on.

You might want to talk to your insurance man and see if this is something they can cover. Ive heard of them going after the fuel supplier/ truck stop for the damages. Id get your own sample from your tank for your records. Always keep fuel receipts after fueling, it kinda seems like if you get a shot of crappy fuel you make it about 10 miles before it hits.

I think the P-2509 has something to do with the neg battery cables.As for the batteries its probably time to change them. I swapped out the batteries in my 07 CTD last summer with some Interstates and had good luck.

Its a bit over kill but I change my fuel filter every oil change. I catch the fuel coming out of the fuel filter canister then put it in a clear container. Let it sit for awhile, the water will sit on top of the fuel and you will be able to see if there is water. Cummins Forum is very helpful!

 

[forgeblast]

Dodgetalk.com is a good site also.

 

[joshuabardwell]

Well, the good news is that I just picked up the truck from the dealer, and somehow I didn't get charged a diagnostic fee. I'm going to leave the truck on the charger tonight and see if a topped off battery doesn't cure it's ills. I may put a new file filter in too.

 

[kenmac]

I have the same truck.99K and only problems I have had is 2 new batteries.The grid heater pulls alot of juice.I drain the fuel from the filter housing from time to time.My truck sits alot.If the batteries are original. It's time for a change.I change the Baldwin fuel filter every oil change