hey guys,
Had an eventful weekend with the paj. Was on my way to Cranbrook and the engine just lost power (I could barely go up a gentle incline). I pulled over and was overwhelmed by the cloud of blue smoke that was coming out of the exaust. I checked the filters and and bypassed the fuel filter but nothing helped. So I reved up to 2000 (only way it would stay running) and dropped it into drive; finally getting up to 30km/h for the 20 km drive into town. The Dodge dealer in Cranbrook took a look and couldn't find anything wrong (suprise) so I ended up renting a truck and trailer to get it home.
Any ideas on the problem?
I have already checked the fuel pick up, air filter/turbo, and fuel filter. Could it be the timing belt? I have taken to top cover off and it looks to be OK but i don't know what it should be like.
thanks for any help.

Check your filter seal and maybe your primer on your filter housing.

Also take a look at the filter inside the tank. Check for corrosion on the lines and hoses from the tank.

You should be able to check it through the inspection hole/seat.

It could be that you are drawing air.

Or maybe as simple as a bad tank of diesel from which the bottom of the tank could have water in it.

My first check would be those.

Sounds like lack of fuel to me.

Jesse

thanks for getting back so quick.

I have checked the system for fuel leaks and taken off the line from the tank and blown some air through (low pressure) and you could hear it bubbling away in the tank. Also has a full tank of fuel from the chevron I always go to.
More information - it was a little sluggish before this happened - it would stumble until the turbo kicked in (1500rpm)then would have normal power. As for the sudden lack of power I can't explain how fast it dropped. I had the throttle pinned and no change in rpm or speed.

Just from what you said, my gut's telling me it's a lack of fuel.

Did you look at the filter on the pickup pipe in the tank ?

It can be plugged up or some rust in it.

Jesse

just pulled the fuel pick up out - clean as a whistle, the tank looks new inside. one more thing to check off the list of possibilities though.

Fuel lines ? Are they rusty or clean ?

Almost as bad as chasing an electrical issue !

Jesse

Is the Turbo working properly? Blue oil smoke or black un-burnt diesel smoke?

Would an egr stuck wide open cause this?

Fuel delivery problem, could be:
1. Injection pump failing
2. Dirty injectors
3. Bad fuel (try a biocide in the tank and change the fuel filter)
I think you ruled out the other fuel delivery problems already. Did you notice any stains below from a diesel leak from the pump? The top seal on this pump tends to leak, it is the seal between the top 1/3 and bottom 2/3 of the pump held together with allen bolts. While in park rev and set you hand throttle a 3000 RPM this helps expose any leak while its under high pressure. Use a flash light to check around the seal.

I think your turbo has gone!
Take off the intake hose, feel looseness of the impeller.
Start engine. Does turbo spin up?