truck blowing black smoke

Lucys truck · 06-30-2007, 03:03 PM

Hey guys, my 2004 Dodge Ram 2500 with a hemi is blowing a heavy black smoke out the tail pipe and my check engine light just came on at 40000 miles. I am now only getting about 8mpg highway. Any idea what is wrong with my truck?

75K30 · 06-30-2007, 03:10 PM

Welcome to the site.
Truck is running too fat. Might never get to "closed loop" and running full rich. Get a scanner to pull the code. Might go to local parts store, they will pull the code, and sell you a set of sensors. Easy to install, they will even have the O2 sensor socket. Sometimes the sensor goes bad because it does not ever get to temp. and it thinks it is still cold, so it goes full rich, heak any number of variables can cause this, but the first thing to do is check the code, it is there to tell you what is wrong.

peterbilt · 07-02-2007, 12:57 PM

is it a diesel? my dads blows black smoke at the exaust pipe every onc in a while.

Lucys truck · 07-02-2007, 04:23 PM

No, its not a diesel. I went to an auto parts store and they hooked it up to a handheld unit and gave me a print out that said it had 2 codes and the both said Fuel System Too Lean. I asked if it was too lean why am only getting about 8 mpg and it blows smoke. They had no clue how the 2 problems could be the same. I spoke with a tech nician at the dodge dealership and he said that if a sensor is malfunctioning which would make the system think its not getting enough fuel then forcing more fuel through the system. Which would create the black smoke and the bad fuel mileage I am experiencing. I have an appointment Thursday to have it looked at. Does this explaination seem valid?

Ford4x4Chik27 · 07-02-2007, 05:12 PM

What were the codes??

mrjohnwayne · 07-02-2007, 08:04 PM

yeah. If it is a bad 02 sensor or dirty egr valve it'll cause it.

scottie · 07-02-2007, 08:26 PM

yeah, if the comp is reading that the mixture is too lean, but its not, it gonna dump as much fuel into the cylinders until it reads that it is at stiochiometery (a fancy word for perfect air/fuel ratio). most likely a old O2

Lucys truck · 07-03-2007, 05:40 AM

the codes are P0171 and P2098

peterbilt · 07-03-2007, 05:57 AM

well, i think you guys got it handeled.

mudseeker · 07-03-2007, 07:27 AM

the first one is telling you your system is running to lean, which you know already. i'm not able to find the second one, did you write it down right?

06-30-2007, 03:03 PM	#1
Lucys truck Junior Member Join Date: Jun 2007 Posts: 5	truck blowing black smoke Hey guys, my 2004 Dodge Ram 2500 with a hemi is blowing a heavy black smoke out the tail pipe and my check engine light just came on at 40000 miles. I am now only getting about 8mpg highway. Any idea what is wrong with my truck?

07-02-2007, 12:57 PM	#3
peterbilt Senior Member Join Date: May 2007 Location: Florida Posts: 1,847	is it a diesel? my dads blows black smoke at the exaust pipe every onc in a while. __________________ clicky!!>> 1971 Volkswagen Deluxe Bus <<clicky!! "Never give up on somebody you can't go a day without thinkin' about" Eric and Jessica 1-14-08

07-02-2007, 04:23 PM	#4
Lucys truck Junior Member Join Date: Jun 2007 Posts: 5	Follow up to problem No, its not a diesel. I went to an auto parts store and they hooked it up to a handheld unit and gave me a print out that said it had 2 codes and the both said Fuel System Too Lean. I asked if it was too lean why am only getting about 8 mpg and it blows smoke. They had no clue how the 2 problems could be the same. I spoke with a tech nician at the dodge dealership and he said that if a sensor is malfunctioning which would make the system think its not getting enough fuel then forcing more fuel through the system. Which would create the black smoke and the bad fuel mileage I am experiencing. I have an appointment Thursday to have it looked at. Does this explaination seem valid?

07-02-2007, 05:12 PM	#5
Ford4x4Chik27 Senior Member Join Date: Sep 2004 Location: Sac-Town, Cali Posts: 1,585	What were the codes?? __________________ '93 Isuzu Amigo, Toyota Axles/Tcase/Drivelines, 35" MTR's '01 Pathfinder, making a huge effort to keep it stock, since it's my DD

07-02-2007, 08:04 PM	#6
mrjohnwayne Moderator Join Date: Apr 2005 Location: Texas Posts: 3,114	yeah. If it is a bad 02 sensor or dirty egr valve it'll cause it. __________________ John Wayne 2000 F-350 7.3L Powerstroke 4x4

06-30-2007, 03:10 PM	#2
75K30 Senior Member Join Date: Jul 2006 Posts: 2,545	Welcome to the site. Truck is running too fat. Might never get to "closed loop" and running full rich. Get a scanner to pull the code. Might go to local parts store, they will pull the code, and sell you a set of sensors. Easy to install, they will even have the O2 sensor socket. Sometimes the sensor goes bad because it does not ever get to temp. and it thinks it is still cold, so it goes full rich, heak any number of variables can cause this, but the first thing to do is check the code, it is there to tell you what is wrong.

07-02-2007, 08:26 PM	#7
scottie Senior Member Join Date: Jan 2006 Location: South Florida (Palm Beach), originally from south of BOSTON Posts: 644	yeah, if the comp is reading that the mixture is too lean, but its not, it gonna dump as much fuel into the cylinders until it reads that it is at stiochiometery (a fancy word for perfect air/fuel ratio). most likely a old O2 __________________ im a straight shooter with upper management written all over me

07-03-2007, 05:40 AM	#8
Lucys truck Junior Member Join Date: Jun 2007 Posts: 5	Follow UP. the codes are P0171 and P2098

07-03-2007, 05:57 AM	#9
peterbilt Senior Member Join Date: May 2007 Location: Florida Posts: 1,847	well, i think you guys got it handeled. __________________ clicky!!>> 1971 Volkswagen Deluxe Bus <<clicky!! "Never give up on somebody you can't go a day without thinkin' about" Eric and Jessica 1-14-08

07-03-2007, 07:27 AM	#10
mudseeker mod-o-tator Join Date: Feb 2006 Location: michigan Posts: 4,059	the first one is telling you your system is running to lean, which you know already. i'm not able to find the second one, did you write it down right? __________________ member map add yourself

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