We recently bought a 2004 Ram 2500 CTD with 100K miles. The truck failed the emission test with a reading of 78 with a max 35 allowed. I would appreciate any advice anyone has on what I might do to get it to pass. It has a K&N cold air intake. I am not aware that it has a chip, but I honestly don't even know where to look to see if it does. Otherwise, I am not aware of any modifications to the engine or exhaust. Any ideas? I searched the threads for help, but did not find anything. Thanks!

 

This won't be much help to ya! Move to Texas....there is no emission test (some folks run straight pipes) and inspections for diesels are only $12.50 per year.

Jethro

 

Does your truck put out a lot of black smoke when you get on the pedal? If it does you have a chip or programmer.

 

As for looking for a chip here are a few suggestions:

- how clean is the air filter? A dirty air filter will give you grief!
- pull the air filter tube off the turbo have a look at the turbo blades are they dirty, pitted or cracked? ( I ask becuase some have had bad experiences with k&n filters)
- does the overhead comp show your mpg way out of whack ascompared to hand calculated numbers? This is a good indication of a programmer or not.
- look around the enigne bay for possible "velcro" attachements (if you have some velcro strips stuck to something may have had a chip at one time)
- some chips plug in directly into the AIT/MAP sensor on top of the intake manifold back towards #4,5 or 6 cylinders
-as JimmyDiablo asked ... are you blowing excessive smoke? May be signs of a "programmer" installed and not set back to stock by previous owner.
- you may even have a bad injector or two, possibly may be just carboned up, drop a bunch of PS or other injector cleaner in and take it for a good hard run. Check your oil level if its climbing up the dipstick you have an injector leaking. Next step after running cleaner is to have the injectors tested...a leak down/return test completed.


You may have a chip/programmer or may have a bad injector or 2, we need a little more info, like are you blowing lots of smoke out the tail pipe and what colour is the smoke if any?

 

Yes, under certain conditions, the truck puts out a lot of black smoke. The other day I was on the highway and I used a lot of acceleration to pass and left a cloud of black smoke that swallowed the care behind me. The smoke is black. Under ordinary driving, it may only put out a little smoke when I shift and other times, I don't notice smoke at all. Thanks!

 

well there is something then.... else u wont make much smoke....

u need a clean filter else ull lack air to burn all ur fuel...[:'(]
put a wood block under ur carpet to prevent it to go really down but not too much or the guy will notice

check injectors as some said...
maybe buy a smarty or adrenaline and run the half fuel software.... if its allready programmed u will prolly to flash ur computer....

 

If I am running on a chip, is there a way to find and identify it so that I can obtain the proper programmer? Or, can I remove it and replace it with the stock chip?

 

well go to ur dealer and i will flash ur computer whit the proper program then buy a programmer to put and remove as u see fit

 

Since you are out of warranty, you don't have to worry about being voided for power enhancers. I would go to your dealer and ask them to go over it and make sure it is in stock form, and do some quick easy injector checks. IF they / you don't find any add on chips, then there is a possibilty there is a program present in the ECM. The dealer can flash the ECM to make it stock again. Then once sure it is back to stock and injectors check out OK find a better air filter and some bio diesel. Bio will dramatically lower smoke and other emissions. Run about 50% bio if you can find it. Last, right before you go to the inspection point run the snot out of it to blow it out. When you get to inspection don't sit and let it idle. Good luck and let us know how it goes.