Informative tech articles concerning the operation and maintenance of the
Dodge/Cummins Turbo Diesel truck courtesy of the Turbo Diesel Register.
. . .

GENERAL INFORMATION

FREQUENTLY ASKED QUESTIONS (Read the PDF)
In this FAQ document you will find that we’ve given a concise answer to each question and often referenced detailed (often four to six page articles) where the reader can get more information.

WHAT'S WRONG WITH MY TRUCK? (Read the PDF - 3.5 meg)
The staff at Geno’s Garage (with help from our friends at the Turbo Diesel Register) presents a list of Dodge/Cummins Turbo Diesel Flaws and Fixes.

'94-'98 DODGE DIESEL "NO START" CONDITION (Read the PDF - 1 meg)
Read about a common "No Start" condition that can be caused by the fuel solenoid and how to test for it.

FUEL SYSTEM

SO YOU WANT FUEL ECONOMY (Read the PDF - 1 meg)
A look at what the Turbo Diesel Register has learned about what works and what doesn't to improve the fuel mileage of your Turbo Diesel truck.

DODGE DIESEL TRUCK FUEL TRANSFER PUMPS REVISITED - TDR BUYER'S GUIDE (Read the PDF - 2 meg)
While this article focuses on the '98.5-'02 truck owners, this collection of TDR oldies also has tips for the '94-'98 12-valve owners and '03-'07 owners. The information was pulled from our issue 32, 48, and 50 magazines. Updates have been added to reflect the latest part number information.

WHAT TO DO ABOUT THE FUEL TRANSFER PUMP ON YOUR '03-NEWER TRUCK - TDR ISSUE 76 (Read the PDF - 3 meg)
Installing a parallel fuel transfer pump on a 2010 Dodge Turbo Diesel truck. A FASS pump becomes the primary pump, the in-tank fuel pump serves as the spare. Was it worth it? Read and find out.

ENGINE

UNDERSTANDING AIR INTAKE SYSTEMS (PART I - AIR DENSITY) - TDR ISSUE 56 (Read the PDF - 2 meg)
Air intake systems appear to be a mystery to most readers. Sometimes they improve power, other times they don’t. This two part article will help to explain how an air intake system works using engineering principals and dynamometer test data. Part 1 will discuss airflow and show the effects different intake components have on engine power. Part 2 will discuss air density and show the effects air density has on engine power.

UNDERSTANDING AIR INTAKE SYSTEMS (PART II - AIR DENSITY) - TDR ISSUE 59 (Read the PDF - 1 meg)
As a summary, a properly engineered aftermarket air intake kit installed on the Third Generation truck should produce rear wheel dynamometer power increases between 0-7 horsepower with stock fueling calibrations; between 8-11 horsepower with a 100 horsepower fueling module/tuner; and 17-20 horsepower with a 200hp fueling module/tuner. As you will see in this article, when you test a truck under real-world conditions, power improvements from most aftermarket intakes will diminish due to the effects of heat under the hood.

TIME TO INSPECT THE HARMONIC DAMPER- TDR ISSUE 73 (Read the PDF - 7 meg)
If you never paid much attention to this black doughnut and did not realize that it required any sort of inspection or maintenance, it does in fact deserve our attention. Learn about this important piece of our Mighty Cummins Diesel engine.

KILLER DOWEL PIN - TDR ISSUE 57 (Read the PDF - 2 meg)
The dowel pin has been (starting with production in 1983), and continues to be, used on the Cummins B-series engine as a locating and alignment point for the attachment of the front gear cover to the engine block. The problem that has been encountered by owners is predominately with the ’94 to ’98 12-valve engines.

DEBUNKING LUBE OIL MYTHS (PART 1) - TDR ISSUE 55 (Read the PDF - 3 meg)
In this article, the TDR will initiate readers into the mysteries of the lube oil industry and, along the way, debunk a few lube oil myths.

ANALYSIS OF LUBE OIL (PART 2) - TDR ISSUE 57 (Read the PDF - 1 meg)
Following up on the TDR 55 article, "Debunking Lube Oil Myths," we test more engine oils and provide the results.

LUBE OILS-VERSION 2102 - TDR ISSUE 76 (Read the PDF - 2.5 meg)
How are lube oils different in 2012 and why.

OIL FILTER EVALUATION - TDR ISSUE 71 (Read the PDF - 2 meg)
There are some things you should know about oil filtration and oil filters.

ANTIFREEZE FOR YOUR TRUCK - TDR ISSUE 62 (Read the PDF - 2 meg)
With the wide choice of antifreeze products at the auto parts store, it puzzles the mind. Which one is correct for your Dodge Turbo Diesel truck?

DRIVETRAIN

'94-'04 LOCK/UNLOCK OF AUTOMATIC TRANSMISSION (Read the PDF - 1 meg)
How do you stop the automatic transmission from unlocking when the truck is in overdrive or third gear?

STEERING, SUSPENSION AND BRAKES

2nd GENERATION HANDLING AND SUSPENSION PROBLEMS - TDR ISSUE 53 (Read the PDF - 3.5 meg)
Most of you are familiar with the death wobble, but it bears mentioning again. It is violent caster shimmy where the tire and axle shake after striking a pothole, un-even road surface or bump.

BRAKE PAD SPOTTERS GUIDE - TDR ISSUE 51 (Read the PDF - 3 meg)
In order to help you out in the hunt for the right brake pad, here is a brief brake pad “spotter’s guide” which describes different brake pad types, their characteristics, and key features.

BRAKE UTOPIA - TDR ISSUE 50 (Read the PDF - 4 meg)
Quite simply brake vibrations are never a good thing. In fact, a common saying in the brake industry is, “The best brake system is an invisible brake system.” Let’s try to understand why this can sometimes be difficult to achieve.