Recent Content by RobCN

Tappet cover on my truck is OEM from manufacture circa. 1999. Never been touched until this repair. Can't really complain. :-)

We were able to get this done finally. Hope I didn't make a mistake. My mechanic checked the tappet cover carefully for any damage, bending or warping and found none. Gasket was badly broken down. Clearly the source of leak. Replaced the gasket using the original tappet cover. So far looking...

Thanks everyone!!!! Going forward now with this repair. Once tappet cover is off will check for rust damage or warping. If condition is ok, will replace with all new gaskets and move on.

I was wondering if the billet aluminum was mostly for bling. I won't be needing that. :-) Might it be worth getting a much less expensive new OEM type after all these years???

I'm now finding quite a few articles and videos about people replacing Cummins stock sheet metal tappet covers with machined billet aluminum ones. Do you guys think this is a good idea? It's looking more likely that this is the source of the leak. Now getting close to spending the money to get...

Talked with shop yesterday. Apparently its a fairly big job to get access to that tappet cover. Several hundred dollars labor to remove injector pump to get at cover behind it. Will talk in more detail with my guy about it today. Thanks everyone.

I appreciate the info. Looking at whether spend some money on improvements. I'm in the Texas Gulf Coast region. If anyone has value info from around here that would be great.

Wow! Great information. Thanks guys. I was not understanding about the tappet cover. That drawing and pictures really get to the heart of it. Now I understand how that tappet cover could cause what we are seeing. Will get back with my guy and get better look at that exact area.

Last two posts are correct. Thanks guys! Truck is 4x2 with automatic transmission. Transmission upgraded to better handle heavy towing.

Couple more maintenance items I thought of. Replaced vacuum pump, hydraulic pump & hoses. New vacuum pump is improved unit less likely to leak in future. Oil changes done every 7,000 miles using OEM Fleetguard oil filters. AC evaporator coil replaced after leak from corrosion.

Talked with mechanic some more. Petersonj mentioned the vacuum pump seal. Vacuum pump and hydraulic pump have been replaced. Vacuum pump was leaking and replaced with enhanced unit to reduce possibility of leaking in the future. My guy reports he can see oil coming out very near point where...

Here's some more info on my truck. I'm looking for info on its current value. Planning to sell truck (and RV) soon. 1999 Ram 2500 2nd gen Cummins Mileage 299,676 No crash damage Engine all original. No work done on core engine. FASS fuel system (replaced leaking fuel filter housing) Replaced...

Thanks Signal73. Will get some pictures and post more details.

My 1999 Ram 2500 with 2nd gen diesel has developed a bad oil leak. Just under 300,000 miles I was not able to find. At shop now. Mechanic tells me he can see oil leaking on driver side of engine very near point where head meets block. Talking about possible blown head gasket or possibly crack in...

I'm looking for help with valuing my 1999 Ram 2500 with 2nd gen diesel. Looking to sell it pretty soon. Just under 300,000 miles. Anyone have ideas?