Persistent Code 36

[Foehammer]

Problem: my truck threw a code 36 but runs normally it has done this before bout i just add tc3w oil to tank and it goes awy but it keeps coming back should i suspect a bad OS and if It is bad how do you go about changing it?

Demographics: tell us about your truck and your ambient conditions:

- Year: -1994
- Truck model and class (ie: c2500) -k1500
- Automatic or Standard -auto
- Mileage: (indicate miles or km) -185k miles
- Replaced parts and mods (IP, PMD, chip/PCM, TM, injectors etc) -Dtech pmd installed in bumper on cooler 2 months ago
- Model: ‘S’ or ‘F’ engine, NA or Turbo, EGR? -s engine egr disabled
- Ambient outside temp: (indicate *C or *F) -76 F
- What fuel are you using? (#1 Diesel, #2 Diesel, Bio, VO, WVO, etc) -#2
- What fuel additives are you using? -8 oz tc-3w, 8oz powerservice white each fill up fill up at 1/4 tank
- Where are you located? -Las Cruces NM

General maintenance: inspect and evaluate the condition of each. When were they last changed?
- Air filter -3months ago
- Fuel filter -2month ago
- CDR Valve? 3 months ago
- Coolant – last flushed/replaced at -unkown
- Oil – synthetic/regular, changed at - 6 months ago
- Batteries – state of charge, (matched set) replaced at -unknown
- Battery cables and grounds (removed, cleaned and tightened): -unknown
- Glow Plugs - how many miles on them? -unkownWhat type? - unknown
- Injectors - last changed at -unknown


History: (Describe how the problem first appeared.)
- What were you doing when it happened? driving 35mph
- How was the truck running fine before this problem appeared? yes
- Has this problem ever happened before? yes
- Describe any related factors that might be part of the problem. had a code 35 and 36 1.5 month ago with stumbling after i added lubro moly diesel purge to tank i think it loosened up gunk in the tank
- Have you checked for DTC (Diagnostic Trouble Codes)? (Y.N) Y And? 36

Diagnostics:

1] Starting:
1a] Does the engine start? y
1b] Does the engine crank over? y
1c] Are your batteries fully charged? y
1d] Have you removed, cleaned, and tightened all battery connections? y
1e] Does your Wait to Start light come on for a time? How long? no wait to start light only glow plug light
1f] Does your glow plug light come on? y For how long? 10 secs
1g] Do you see smoke from the exhaust while cranking? What color? black

2] Fuel Issues (if not running):
2a] Can you hear your lift pump working? y____________
2b] Do you get a steady flow of fuel from the water drain (T-handle) ? y_________
2c] Loosen the inlet line from the IP – is fuel coming out (Lift Pump on)? ___________
2d] Loosen an injector line and crank the engine - does fuel come out? _________
2e] Do you hear a vacuum (hiss) when you remove the fuel cap? ___________

3] PMD / IP Issues
3a] Location of PMD (on pump, on intake, remote mounted) remote mount on cooler in bumper nostril
3b] Condition of Extension harness (if used) Vendor or Homemade? vendor
3c] Condition of grounds / ground wires to IP / PMD. Check Harness. appear good
3d] PMD Make: Dtech
3e] PMD Age: 2 month

4] Stalling Issues
4a] Do you experience stalling only when hot? n
4b] Does it stall under particular circumstances? (ie hit bump, or on accel) n______
4c] Does pouring cool water over the IP seem to help with restarting? n/a
4d] Is stalling momentary (engine recovers)? no stalling
4e] Does SES light come on when engine hiccups? no stalling
4f] Does cruise control quit working when engine hiccups?
4g] Does re-starting seem to reset engine, restoring cruise and power? have not restarted yet
4h] Changes to dash lights or instruments during stalling events? n
5] Running Issues
5a] On cold start, does upper rad hose get hard before engine warms up? n
5b] Any bubbles or oil film in coolant overflow tank? unknown
5c] Any white slime on oil surfaces (dipstick, CDR, oil Fill cap)? n
5d] Excessive white smoke from exhaust on cold start? n
5e] Excessive black smoke from exhaust under hard acceleration? y

6] Performance Issues
6a] Do you have gauges? stock
6b] Maximum boost under load? no boost gauge
6c] Have you added a performance PCM (reflash) or Chip? n
6d] Have you changed exhaust / downpipe / crossover? n
6e] Wastegate – mechanical or vacuum? vac

7] Temperature-related Issues:
7a] Single or dual thermostats? single
7b] Have you replaced them lately? Manufacturer of replacements? n
7c] Have you pulled and cleaned Radiator and coolers lately? n
7d] Have you replaced the fan clutch? Manufacturer of replacement? n
7e] (winter) Have you tested your antifreeze? Good to what temp? __________
7f] (winter) Are you using a winter grille cover? ___________

 

[buddy]

The problem with the oil helping is that it either means

1. The IP's fuel solenoid is sticking so the lubrication is keeping it alive (the ULSD will kill your IP so if youre not always adding lubrciation you need to)

OR

2. your fuel is always clouded and the oil is somehow stabilizing the fuel and perhaps keeping particles from floating up with the fuel. (OS issue, but not the OS's fault)

You can also try SAE30 oil instead of TCW3 2-stroke. Unless you buy expensive lubricity adders these regular oils can't be beat by what you get off the shelf at the Autozone.

What you can do is reduce the resistor value in your PMD to shorten the injection pulse width. Did you put in a new resistor when you relocated with the Dtech?

 

[Foehammer]

Sorry for not getting back sooner I was out of town for about a week.
The resistor i have is a number 9 i got with the new pmd would a #5 resistor work better? If so would anyone trade a number 5 for my number 9?
And if my fuel solenoid is the culprit can i change the solenoid or do i have to change the IP? How do i tell if my fuel is clouded, and what is the remedy?

 

[buddy]

The resistance in the cable extension plus a #9 resistor could get you closer to having an issue if you havent found other reasons.

I cant say for sure that it would help you, but it might.

The fuel solenoid is part of the IP, requires IP replacement, but Im not recommending that. No matter what ULSD can cause problems and a good lubricant used each tank, not all lubricity additives are good, so can't go wrong with 1/2 quart SAE30 or 2-stroke.

Drain some fuel from the filter assembly into a jar, and see what it looks like, cloudy, bubbly, do bubbles sink, lot of particles? I think you are familiar with the T-valve drain and how to power LP with truck off.

 

[Foehammer]

Thanks again buddy for all the advice