Brand New 2018 RAM Cummins found small copper pieces in oil.

[jaallen]

Thanks Joe. I will start looking. Any sound advice that will help pinpoint this is appreciated.
Thank You.

 

[Joe Mc]

I think the most sound advice you'll get will be from a Cummins Shop Mechanic that is proficient with the newer engines the Dodges have and hopefully one who's not a punk that thinks he's too much of a big shot to help out a little guy like us. Here's one I found not to far from you
Cummins Atlantic LLC
11101 Nations Ford Rd, Pineville, NC 28134

(704) 588-1240

 

[jaallen]

Joe,
I hear you. Yep, that's the one I found too, Have a call in.

 

[jgillott]

I don't mean this the way it is going to sound, but you do have a 100K warranty on that engine. If there is something significant going on in there, it will grenade itself long before that 100K mark. I know that you are trying to figure out exactly what is wrong and have it fixed before something catastrophic happens. But, the dealer doesn't seem to have the insight to figure out what is wrong or unwilling to admit to it.

If that were my truck and I was in your situation, I'd work the devil out of that truck and bring it back to them on a hook whenever parts are sticking out of the pan. It's pretty hard for them not to do anything for you at that point. One of two things will happen. It will either turn out to be nothing and will run for hundreds of thousands of miles like Cummins should or it will fail and become a warranty repair they will have no issue identifying.

 

[Wayne M.]

On opening the filter, make sure to use a filter cutter.
To reference-
https://www.turbodieselregister.com/threads/a-little-filter-cutting-fun.265386/

 

[jaallen]

I want to thank all for the advice. Reading this over I fear I may be acting like a pansy now. I am going to look at stuff as far as the shavings and keep on that, but I am just going to run her and use my truck what it is for. To hell with it and run this Cummins like I want to. I am going to ignore all the little things and enjoy it. I will follow up on the oil one time. If the analysis comes back ok, then I am just driving. I think I may have overdone the worries. Wish me luck and I am going to the forums and enjoy myself again. Thanks to all again.

 

[Tuesdak]

Run UOA just for the peace of mind. (Not just once, but, for the life of the engine.) It can catch things before they become a major warranty item. Coolant in oil, dust leaking air filter or intake system, etc.

It's hard to argue warranty claims with a complete UOA history on an engine backing you up. Dealer oil changes or other shop records indicating 'maintenance' also stops denials cold.

 

[Wiredawg]

jaallen,

I think you've done just fine handling this. I'm so type A, that I maintain a fuel log of every tank and document all maintenance in it. Recommend you do the same. I have a three hole binder that I keep all oil, filter, parts, accessories receipts and dealer maintenance documentation in. I usually get $3K to $5K more for a vehicle when selling by having all that documentation. Best of luck with your truck!

Cheers, Ron

 

[Joe Mc]

Jaallen, Enjoy your truck for sure. I'd still take it to a Cummins Shop and see what they say... Maybe give you a bit more piece of mind or offer advice if they feel something is amiss. Bring opened filter and some of the oil you initially drained with you for them to look at. Keep us posted.

 

[ofelas]

Waiting for you to post those pictures as promised on Nov 26th.

There are little copper like pieces at the bottom of my oil change pan. I will take a pic tomorrow of it when at dealer (I have to be there at 9am LOL.) they are not the glitter, real pieces about 0.5cm wide by 1 to 2cm long. I counted about 30-40 of them in the whole bottom of the change pan. Now I am scared.

 

[Joe Mc]

ofelas, I totally forgot Jaallen mentioned that. I'd like to see those pics to - just curious.

 

[jaallen]

I will post what I get out of the filter this weekend. I am sure some has to be in there as well.

 

[ofelas]

I don't believe the filter would have trapped any of the "1-2cm pieces" you spoke of earlier.

For the metric challenged folk, that would be a wee bit smaller than "1/2 to 1" pieces".

I will post what I get out of the filter this weekend. I am sure some has to be in there as well.

 

[jaallen]

They were not that big. Should have meant mm then. But they are solid and big enough for the shop and dealer to see. I still have the pan as well and will lay them out on black paper. Used a mm ruler to measure them.
Ofelas, Will you be able to tell what it is? Have you seen this before? Do you work on them? It will really help with piece of mind.

 

[jaallen]

Here is the last report. Sent metal to PO Engineering.

 

[ofelas]

Good stuff.

I would have made them re-word the "flecks" to "pieces" as you so succinctly indicated in your first post.

 

[seafish]

Jaalen,

FYI 1-2 mm is VERY different then 1-2 cm and I am sure that you would have gotten VERY different responses form members here depending on which one it is.

WHICH is it and can you simply post a pic of the pieces with a ruler (or even a coin) beside them for scale??

 

[bigceltic]

Here is the last report. Sent metal to PO Engineering.

Sounds like a nice dealership - the technician perfumed the truck for him!
"Blind road 'test perfumed by technician to obtain unbiased review."

 

[ofelas]

@jaallen - I'm not a self proclaimed expert by any means, but I do work on vehicles, Cummins included.

A bit of metal flake in the pan is OK, but pieces that come out via the pan drain hole are never a good thing.

I'd suggest running a magnet over those pieces to see if they're iron; you should be able to differentiate between copper & aluminum easily enough once you brake clean the pieces.

When you cut the filter open, pay close attention to the contents in the outer chamber of the filter, rather than the chamber closest to the center (outlet) hole.

 

[jaallen]

Ok, here they are. These are from the pan, drained from pan drain hole. There is more, just what I was able to get in the time I had. Surprisingly, cut top of filter, pulled out medium, opened it up, nothing was in the filter, anywhere. That made me feel a little better. I am assuming they were big enough NOT to go through the pickup tube strainer.
So, would this bother you? It did bother me enough. They did not perfume the truck as noted. Smells the same. Lol. So upset.
Seriously, it seems I am being questioned for being careful. I have never had this in the pan of my other new vehicles. Just wanted to make sure. And as I said, don't care anymore. I am driving it, if it goes, it goes. Not bothering with it anymore. They have it on file and sent to engineering. If I have an issue, cant get denied warranty. I have to say, I feel like I am being questioned as though I am not being truthful to you guys, or conveying my concern is warranted.
Sorry but I gave up worrying about it. Doesn't matter. Its there. Thank You to everyone for helping. I appreciate it very much.