I've tried to search and google to find out what my problem could be but find no clear answers. So here's the symptom...

It's a stock 1997 4X4 Ram 2500, Cummins, 5 speed with 4:10 gears. It has 138,000 miles and has has given great service from day one. It is my everyday driver which I also use to occasionally pull my compact tractor and equipment.
With all the snow we had last week I was pulling my tractor to move a little snow at my work when I noticed that my truck didn't seem to pull like it once did, it seemed a little sluggish.
When trying to get up to highway speed the engine was like it hit a wall at 2500 rpm. It would not rev past 2500 and there was a lot of white smoke out the exhaust. Since I rarely get the engine up to 2500 rpm during normal driving I don't know exactly when this condition began. When not pulling my equipment it still hits the "2500 rpm wall" with all the white smoke.
I figured I'd start with changing the air and fuel filter first and check all the clamps connected to the turbo.
If anyone can give me some pointers on what to look for I'd appreciate it. I'm not a diesel mechanic but would like to do what I can myself.

Thanks

 

Do you have guages to tell boost or fuel pressure ? It is really hard to tell without more info but for sure i would change the fuel filter as well as the prefilter screen and and air filter all the boots from the turbo to the intake to make sure they are sealed. Usually with these 12 valves it is something simple they are pretty bullet proof i have the same truck myself..post back after you check those things out and i am sure one of us on here will be able to help you out ...but the more info u can give us the better so if you can give us info like fuel pressure ,boost or whatever symptoms will help...or changes you have made like air filters fuel filters changes ECT and what if any change they made..

 

here is a problem i had a while ago and the post that helped me out https://dodgeforum.com/forum/dodge-c...ower-loss.html
I dont know everything but i do fix all my own things and i do have a mechanical background that helps some but there are many on here that know more than i that i am sure will come in sooner or later..white smoke means usually either unburned fuel or water ...like headgasket stuff ...not trying to get you worried or anything but check and make sure that your oil fill cap or rad cap do not have white gunk on the inside (oil and water mix)just another thing to eliminate..there is a mess of things it can be i am just trying to get infomation from you on here so someone or i can help you figure it out without having to pay someone a fortune doing things you can check ..

 

injector returning too much fuel?
pull a line off the intercooler and check for oil leaking into your intercooler as well

 

I don't have any additional gauges monitor fuel or boost pressure, everything is original equipment.
I checked the oil cap and radiator and everything is clear... no milky looking residue.

The Dodge dealer doesn't have a fuel filter in stock and won't have any til mid Feb. NAPA has their "Gold" fuel filter in stock but I have always used Fleetguard or Dodge filters. Any reason I shouldn't use it?

 

Napa Gold stuff is usually decent quality, otherwise check out Geno's garage and see what they can do for you.

 

Thanks for all the suggestions and help.

I went ahead and got the NAPA Gold fuel filter and installed it, installed a new air filter, checked all the turbo/intercooler related hoses and tightened all the clamps.

When everything was done I took it for a test run and it ran like a charm at maximum rpms. Pushed it to red line at 3000 rpm and no white smoke or drop off in power.

I'll see how it does tomorrow after it cools down over night. Hopefully, that fixed the problem

 

Houser52 it sounds like your truck is a real gem the way u seem to care for it i would never get rid of mine .. Here is a couple of things you might want to look into that i would not be without if your keeping it ..#1 make sure the KDP (killer dowel pin) has been done i had damage to a motor by not knowing and dealing with it just do a search and read about it if you have not heard about it ...#2 a Steering box stabilizer it really makes a huge difference in the way the truck drives..Both are to fix design flaws of the trucks we have ,and neither one is a huge investment to do.. have a read about them just a suggestion..glad all sounds like you got your problem fixed..

 

Thanks for the suggestions. I've heard the killer dowel mentioned before but don't have a clue as to what it is. I'll read up on that.
I haven't heard of the steering box stabilizer. Is it just a convenience mod or something that's recommended? My truck drives pretty good already but there again I drive it all the time and don't know any different.

Here's a bummer, went and got in the truck this morning and the dash was cracked all the way from the cup holder to the windshield. Ugh! I guess the nightly low temps and the sun during the day finally took their toll. Now I have to look for a dash.

 

I think both will save u alot of money in damage that will happen in just a matter of time..so to me i see them as preventative maintenance..