I think my DD 8.2 is toast.

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I think my DD 8.2 is toast.

September 17, 2015, 04:40:56 pm

I have drained the fuel (20 gallons), replaced the fuel filters (4) times after putting in 42 gallons of new fuel and using a "killer" dose of Biocide.
Took the coach on a round trip of 62 miles, changed the filters at the 31 mile destination and before we left. Still runs like blazes, still blowing light blue exhaust, sucking fuel like crazy. It can climb all the way up to 72 MPH and then I feel the engine stumble and power drops off quickly for awhile, then will take off again.
It starts in less than one second, but sometimes it misses until warmed up.

Any ideas? Injectors? Are they mechanical, in other words not electronically controlled, so they malfunction intermittently?

Re: I think my DD 8.2 is toast.

Reply #1 – September 17, 2015, 05:09:52 pm

Best to find one of the old-timers who remembers the 8.2. Very different than any other Detroit Diesel.

I don't recall any 8.2 experts on the Foreforum, hope I am incorrect.

Re: I think my DD 8.2 is toast.

Reply #2 – September 17, 2015, 05:24:57 pm

I have never heard of a "random" problem you describe. Why she sucks fuel is perplexing, as I've blown a couple of turbos and fuel consumption was not noticed, but it seems to me the color of smoke would indicate a turbo problem. Are you burning oil? What's the mileage? Have the injectors ever been checked ? Has the "rack" ever been run? Have the valves ever been adjusted? Good luck, it's a head scratcher!

Re: I think my DD 8.2 is toast.

Reply #3 – September 17, 2015, 05:56:50 pm

On my Duramax, I was sucking fuel and blowing a blue smoke and it was the injectors that were cracked. I had to replace all of them.

Re: I think my DD 8.2 is toast.

Reply #4 – September 17, 2015, 06:02:10 pm

Quote from: wolfe10 – September 17, 2015, 05:09:52 pm

Best to find one of the old-timers who remembers the 8.2. Very different than any other Detroit Diesel.

There seem to be online forums for just about everything these days, and so I suspect a Google search would find at least one that has information on the 8.2.

Re: I think my DD 8.2 is toast.

Reply #5 – September 17, 2015, 06:09:46 pm

Have you done an oil analysis? Mainly, to check if fuel or coolant is contaminating the oil.

8.2, depending on years, did have some head gasket problems.

It's different than a normal 2stroke detroit, but not that different. Still uses unit injectors.

The miss you speak off sounds like an injector. The blue haze could be leaking fuel.

I know a guy (a great DD mechanic) has a leaking failed injector blow a hole in his piston. I'd stop running it until you adress the probelm.

A IR temp gun at idle on each exhaust manifold by the head can tell if you have a dead hole.

Re: I think my DD 8.2 is toast.

Reply #6 – September 17, 2015, 06:12:24 pm

based on your description of the fuel drained, you absolutely had a fuel problem. You may still have a clogged pickup, crap stuck somewhere in the system, or even injector damage from whatever it was burning. I find it very unlikely that your engine is toast. Perhaps an injector, the head pressure pump, or something else is damaged.

The 8.2 is not so different from other detroits, as far as the fuel system goes. I would start by blowing out the lines, draining the tank again, and making sure everything is clean, with no air leaks or crap stuck anywhere.

Re: I think my DD 8.2 is toast.

Reply #7 – September 17, 2015, 07:27:16 pm

When I blew my first turbo with the Isuzu and started calling around (pre-google) everyone asked " the color of the smoke". Seems like someone would have invented a color chart as it's a subtle difference that helps troubleshooting. Not to stray from the OP, but case-in-point: a OM coach was in this a.m. with "blue-grey smoke" and eating oil. CAT told him he had worn rings and a re-build was in order. I told him to get a second opinion because that smoke looked like a bad turbo!

Re: I think my DD 8.2 is toast.

Reply #8 – September 18, 2015, 06:52:17 am

Thanks for the replies.
Engine has 79,450 miles on it. Antifreeze color is still original bright green and level indicators on the radiator show both glasses as full. Oil registers on the dipstick just under full. Oil pressure at startup cold idle reads 75 PSI on the dash. After warmup idle pressure is 25 PSI. While going down the road pressure is 50 PSI or better.
Engine idles very smoothly after warmup, and starts quickly cold or hot. Slowly or quickly rev it up to 1500 RPM and MOST of the time it responds well & returns to smooth idle. If it doesn't then the very light blue smoke is visible.
Oil is Shell Rotella 15W-40.
Have changed both fuel filters four times since draining the tank. No algae found in last two changes. I have found it is less messy the last two times to punch a hole in the bottom of the filter and let the fuel drain out before removing the filter. The diesel fuel appears clear and same color as new. No algae.
The DW followed me home (31 miles) and she said the exhaust spewed light blue smoke all the way and she could see "wavy" lines like the heat waves on the highway coming out of the exhaust pipe.
Today I am going to visit the three places I know around here that work on diesels and hope I find an old 8.2 mechanic. Wish me luck.

Re: I think my DD 8.2 is toast.

Reply #9 – September 18, 2015, 09:23:29 am

Sounds like an injector problem.

Re: I think my DD 8.2 is toast.

Reply #10 – September 18, 2015, 09:41:03 am

Quote from: krush – September 18, 2015, 09:23:29 am

Sounds like an injector problem.

Just trying to educate myself here... In the case of a (diesel) injector plugged up or partially blocked by unknown "crud", do the "fuel injector cleaner" chemicals sold at parts stores/truck stops have any real benefit, or are they just Snake Oil? Just wondering, in case we ever encounter the same type of problem.

Re: I think my DD 8.2 is toast.

Reply #11 – September 18, 2015, 10:11:44 am

More likely is damage to the injector or nozzle from water or whatever other nastiness was in his fuel. chemicals will do nothing.

Re: I think my DD 8.2 is toast.

Reply #12 – September 18, 2015, 10:57:10 am

Just returned from K&S Injection service. They do Cummins and Cat, etc, but prefer not to do my old engine. The desk service manager told us that they had an 8.2 "Fuelsipper" expert they use over east of here about 20 miles. Gonna call him today.
Will post results of conversation, if any.

Re: I think my DD 8.2 is toast.

Reply #13 – September 18, 2015, 01:34:57 pm

Wouldn't you know--the DD "Fuelsipper" expert is in Texas!! By Dallas/Fort Worth. Will be home Sunday night and will call Monday AM.

Re: I think my DD 8.2 is toast.

Reply #14 – September 18, 2015, 02:02:06 pm

Agree with Matt that one or more injectors may be damaged. Blue smoke may be a result of the failure. Injection cleaners work great for deposits but water/steam expansion can blow off the tips of some types of injectors. In this case, only replacement will cure the problem.

This is a mechanical engine so no diagnostic reader will work.

If temperature is normal, this may be your problem. Water in the fuel can also damage the pistons in Bosch style injection pumps. Return valve may also not be working properly not allowing spec internal pressure in the pump.

Another reason to keep checking the sight glass at the bottom of your primary filter. If you don't have one, buy a filter with the replaceable sight glass at the bottom. Does no good unless viewed frequently.

Pierce

Re: I think my DD 8.2 is toast.

Reply #15 – September 18, 2015, 02:38:35 pm

Quote from: nitehawk – September 18, 2015, 01:34:57 pm

Wouldn't you know--the DD "Fuelsipper" expert is in Texas!! By Dallas/Fort Worth. Will be home Sunday night and will call Monday AM.

I believe the 8.2 liter 4 stroke is known as the "Fuel Pincher".

And, yes, you need to get it to a guy who knows the 8.2.

Re: I think my DD 8.2 is toast.

Reply #16 – September 18, 2015, 04:07:48 pm

Do not think your 8.2 is toast, From what I read, would guess just a case of poor/lousey fuel & injectors that need cleaned / adjusted. I would ask James Holder at Tenn RV, I understand he is a long time 8.2 enthusiast.

Re: I think my DD 8.2 is toast.

Reply #17 – September 29, 2015, 06:26:15 pm

So far, two strikes, maybe three. Went to two different truck repair facilities---Kenworth and Truck Country. Both turned me down. (Truck Country, after we even took the coach down to their facility) They just called and backed out so come & get the coach.

The 8.2T expert promised (Sunday evening on the phone) that he would stop by Monday. Never showed or called.

Starting to get VERY worried.

Re: I think my DD 8.2 is toast.

Reply #18 – September 29, 2015, 06:30:32 pm

Have you called James Holder at TN RV?

Re: I think my DD 8.2 is toast.

Reply #19 – September 29, 2015, 06:32:55 pm

Good news: Still could be something SIMPLE.

Bad news: Promise... what Promise............ If I FEEL LIKE IT, I will do what I promised.

Remind us where you are-- perhaps we can recommend an "old timer" in your area who has 8.2 experience.

Re: I think my DD 8.2 is toast.

Reply #20 – September 29, 2015, 06:34:39 pm

Quote from: Jeff & Sandy – September 29, 2015, 06:30:32 pm

Have you called James Holder at TN RV?

Jeff,

What he really needs is an OLD-TIMER who remembers the 8.2 engine. This is NOT something for an RV dealer-- unless James can recommend someone familiar with that engine.

Re: I think my DD 8.2 is toast.

Reply #21 – September 29, 2015, 06:53:11 pm

Call Leid Diesel Service 717-776-7725 ask for Timothy. They are in Pa. I have talked to him a few times and if he can't help you I'm sure he knows someone that can. He knows his ....!

Re: I think my DD 8.2 is toast.

Reply #22 – September 29, 2015, 07:11:45 pm

Bret, I think what you do not understand is James Holder has a lot of hands on sperience on the 8.2 and he loves them.
He is not your average service writer.
He & I have shared lots of DDC notes.
Might rethink it.?

Re: I think my DD 8.2 is toast.

Reply #23 – September 29, 2015, 07:21:37 pm

Brett, if you draw a line from Green Bay, WI (you know, that team that wears green & gold uniforms?) to Minneapolis, Minnesota, and then stop halfway along that line you would be quite close to Wausau, WI. We live just east of Wausau, in Weston.
Sure would appreciate any leads for someone to fix my boat anchor. It did run so well on our two trips to TX, and we do love the coach and the comments we get re it.

Re: I think my DD 8.2 is toast.

Reply #24 – September 29, 2015, 07:58:04 pm

Quote from: nitehawk – September 29, 2015, 07:21:37 pm

Brett, if you draw a line from Green Bay, WI (you know, that team that wears green & gold uniforms?) to Minneapolis, Minnesota, and then stop halfway along that line you would be quite close to Wausau, WI. We live just east of Wausau, in Weston.

A real shot in the dark here, but are you anywhere near an Interstate Power location? Chris and Cherie (Technomadia) used their Billings, MT location for a DD out of frame rebuild on their classic bus conversion, Zephyr. Interstate > Home

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