Cummins made the 6.7-liter diesel engine quite long ago. But it's being sold new even now. You may think it's not very eco-friendly due to its displacement. Also, big diesel engines are already not so popular in America. And the Cummins giant is used in RAM heavy-duty and light-duty trucks. But this engine is different. It's a legendary combination of longevity, torque, and power you will love.
Key features and my opinion about the engine
- Production years:2007-now
- Average lifespan of 6.7 Cummins:350,000-500,000 miles
- Fuel supply type:Common Rail
- Power range:150-420 hp
- Fuel efficiency:bad
- Engine block material:cast iron
- Engine reliability score:high
- The most common problems:fuel supply issues, head gasket failure, turbocharger problems.
What happens when the fuel rail pressure sensor fails?
First of all, you should know about the symptoms of pressure sensor death. We can say, some of the symptoms are similar to many other problems with the diesel engines. So, you should check if the combination of these factors works in your case.
We can think of the following common pressure sensor symptoms:
- Bad fuel consumption. You may notice that the vehicle started burning your diesel like mad. Sometimes, the consumption grows up to 50% or even more.
- Poor acceleration. The 6.7 Cummins is not made for sport and it doesn't accelerate your RAM truck like crazy, but with a malfunctioning pressure sensor, things will be much worse.
- Engine stalling. Your Cummins may stall now and then. You may need to restart the engine at every crossroad which is not just annoying but also very dangerous.
- Black smoke from the tailpipe. The exhaust will contain a lot of unburnt fuel, so the exhaust will be black. Sometimes, it will be as black as hell.
- Engine error light. Fault codes may be different, but in most cases, the check engine light will be on.
- Bad starting. One more thing is that it's hard to start a Cummins 6.7 if it has problems with fuel pressure.
You will have to notice a minimum of four of these factors to make sure that your diesel engine has a problem with the fuel rail pressure sensor. But if it's only one or two factors, you should check what else could go wrong with the engine.
Why can a fuel rail pressure sensor die in Cummins 6.7?
The most obvious reason is the life expectancy of this sensor. They don't live too long. Usually, the first problems come at 100,000 miles or 5 years. If you install an aftermarket sensor, it will fail much sooner.
One of the reasons for the very soon death of the fuel sensor is the problem with the wiring. It may have experienced electricity problems and then it just died.
You may think that the fuel quality may be one of the reasons why the pressure sensor fails. But it isn't true. The quality of diesel fuel you buy for your RAM truck is extremely important, but it doesn't come in contact with the sensor, so in this case, the quality of fuel is not extremely important.
What should you do when the fuel rail pressure sensor fails?
You can't do a lot of things in this situation. The most obvious thing is to replace the fuel pressure sensor. If you can't replace it now, you can try to drive your truck to the nearest repair shop or to the dealer.
We can't say for sure that you will or won't be able to drive your vehicle. In some cases, even starting your engine is a very hard task. So, it depends on the way your sensor malfunctions. If it's completely dead, you will not be able to drive.
But if the truck is relatively OK on the road, you can drive it home or to the dealer without calling a tow truck.
Here's what should you do if you suspect a fuel rail pressure sensor problem in your Cummins 6.7:
- try to start your truck - if it doesn't start, just call the tow truck;
- listen to the idling engine - if it's too bad, turn the ignition off;
- try accelerating - if it accelerates normally, you can drive for a couple more miles;
- look at the exhaust color - if it's thick and black, turn the engine off.
Final words
We don't know any ways to repair the fuel rail pressure sensor in a Cummins 6.7 engine. We only know that you can replace it with a new OEM part. If you hesitate that the problem is caused by this sensor, you may ask for diagnostics or you may ask a mechanic to install another (used or cheap aftermarket) sensor and see if something changes.
About the authors
The CarAraC research team is composed of seasoned auto mechanics and automotive industry professionals, including individuals with advanced degrees and certifications in their field. Our team members boast prestigious credentials, reflecting their extensive knowledge and skills. These qualifications include: IMI: Institute of the Motor Industry, ASE-Certified Master Automobile Technicians; Coventry University, Graduate of MA in Automotive Journalism; Politecnico di Torino, Italy, MS Automotive Engineering; Ss. Cyril and Methodius University in Skopje, Mechanical University in Skopje; TOC Automotive College; DHA Suffa University, Department of Mechanical Engineering
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