100K, now need a new block!

[DCMille290]

We found ourselves in Toronto, Ontario last weekend and while in was under the truck I noticed a drop of green fluid on the very edge of the oilpan. Looking up, along the trail of mineral deposits, I found a small hairline crack weeping anti-freeze. This is located almost directly behind the heat exchanger on the right side of the block.

I checked the actual mileage, yes, the odometer said 103,833. Oh well, so I called DC and explained that somewhere at some point in time of traveling we developed a crack in the block. They told me that a case file would be started, they would make no promises as whether or not DC would take care of it until I returned somewhere to the U. S. and got a tech at Dodge to verify the problem. OK, it would be a week before I was back in the U. S. , and it would be in Milwaukee. (beer anyone?)

After a trip to Dodge City South and a chat with the service manager and him making a call to DC, I was told yesterday that DC will pay to replace the block and that I would have to pay $500 towards the repair and Cummins is her in Milwaukee and repairs would start Monday!

I cannot tell you how happy I was to hear that news. DC and Cummins get my vote for great service and for standing behind a great product. I just wanted to let everyone hear know that there is still good things going on in here about this great truck.



David

Truckless for 10 days in Milwaukee

 

[RAMalama]

Good luck Dave. At least Cummins is doing the job! You are going to have to "reset" your odometer and start all over!

 

[Extreme1]

Good for you! Too bad you're stuck in Milwaukee.



We have an enthusastic group in and around the Dairy (and Beer) state. If you need something, post, I'm sure one of our closer members can help. If not, you're only 100 miles away from me.



I hope everything turns out OK.

 

[DCMille290]

re: 100K, need a new block.

Hey all,

I appreciate the offer Extreme, I'll keep you all posted as to Cummins progress. Dodge City wants me to bring the truck to them on Monday morning and they inturn are bringing it to Cummins, need to get a rental car as my wife and I cannot be without transportation for the duration.

I was thinking of going to Cummins with the dealer on Monday and just chating with them about a few things. Like wanting my truck that looks like a new one, back the way it went in. And I run AMSOIL in my transmission, and I assume that will be lost when the block comes out?

I don't want anything else put back in other than AMSOIL, so I'll try and get a case of fluid to them to put back in. After all I have a DTT TC and upgrade VB installed and thats the only fluid that's been it since the rebuild at 97,000K

Now, is that true, I should reset the odometer?? If so, how is that done with a digital one?

Anything alse anyone can think of that I should be aware of?



Thanks in advance,



David

truckless in Milwaukee

aka marbleman-TDR

 

[John]

Re: re: 100K, need a new block.

Originally posted by DCMille290

... is that true, I should reset the odometer??

If I'm not mistaken, the odometer not only represents accumulated mileage on the engine, but the entire vehicle therefore, no you wouldn't reset the odometer (at least legally anyway).

 

[Extreme1]

You shouldn't loose any trans fluid...

They will unbolt the convertor from the flexplate and leave in the transmission. The engine, trans adapter and everything else comes out the front.



You should double check this with the Cummins place but I'd be surprised.



Next time you buy Amsoil, get it in the 2 1/2 gallon jugs, it's a little cheaper and you won't have all those qt bottles to deal with.

 

[DCMille290]

re: where to buy ATF Amsoil in WI

Extreme,

I have yet to find anyone here in Milwaukee that sells the AMSOIL ATF. Any suggestions?

Thanks for the feedback on the lost fluid question.



David

aka Marbleman

Truckless in Milwaukee

 

[amsoilman]

David,

I drive a 97 "Bluebird" School bus with the Cummins 5. 9 TD. I went to pick it up to clean it for the new School year and found the Cummins tech guy was replacing the head due to a crack in it. The crack was just above the exhaust manifold on the rear of the engine. Cummins tech guy informed me that Cummins had some flaws in the heads of the 5. 9 TD in that year, and they were recalling them to correct the problem. I certainly hope my 94" Ram doesn't start leaking, as I have over 133,000 on her now and they would most likely not fix it under warranty.



Wayne

 

[DCMille290]

re: 100K, need a new block.--Update--

Hi everyone,

OK, the truck was dropped off at Dodge City So. first thing Monday morning. I was told it would brought over to Great Lakes Cummins sometime that morning.

I went for a visit to GLC early Tuesday morning and went straight over to the service manager.

I could see the truck sitting in one of the service bays with the hood down. Hmmm.

I explaned to the SM my position and asked where we stood with the block replacement and for details of exactly what was going to be done. Short/Long block?

I was told the complete repair order estimate was faxed to DC at 7am that morning, and they were waiting for a reply. Hmmm.

I was told they do not have block in stock, could get one overnight if necessary?Hmmm. The entire job was 50 to 100 hrs.

I asked for more details.

The engine will be completely torn down, all parts removed, and reinstalled into the new block.

I left and called Dodge City and asked the SM to get on the phone and push the paperwork through, I was afraid it would sit at DC on someones desk until it collected dust if someone wasn't asking for it.

As of yesterday at 1pm the wheels were starting to turn, estimate was approved at 11 am, faxed to GLC and I am assuming the block was ordered.

I will make a return visit on Wednesday to GLC and see where we are with progress.

Sorry if this got a little long winded. Just wanted everyone to come along for the ride.



David

still truckless in Milwaukee

 

[John_P]

David:



I am very sorry to hear about your engine.



Any idea as to what might have caused the problem?



Good luck!



---------

John_P

 

[Gary - K7GLD]

JEEZE, *I* woulda thought they would replace the entire shortblock as a unit, rather than transferring all the internals outta the OLD one! I would hope they at least use new rings and bearings in the swap... Seems like the labor involved in swapping internals, and potential for future problems would make an entire shortblock a FAR better "investment" as far as warranty is concerned. Good luck!

 

[Mopar-muscle]

i agree , thats pretty dumb , yes the cummins will go alot of miles , but put pistons with 100k in a fresh bore ?????? thats make no sense , it would probably be cheaper , and faster to swap the shortblock that to rebuild yours ? not only that for 600 -700 you could have them put on a recon head and have a brandy new engine ??????

 

[Extreme1]

Yeah, But...

The Cummins shop gets paid on a per hour rate. More hours = more dollars. It does seem unusual to do that though.



I had a friend tear the lower unit off his boat before Memorial Day a few years back. The dealer sold the insureance guy on repairing it because it was $200 cheaper than a new one. They wouldn'r let my friend pay the difference and he was without a boat until after July 4th. That marina is now a park!



David, e-mail me if you need ATF.

 

[DCMille290]

re: 100K, need a new block.

I have to agree with all of you, I didn't think for moment that Cummins would order in just a bare block, but I'll find out some more info this morning. Now I am armed with a little more information I'll have a better idea what to ask. Thanks everyone.

The head recon is a definite option. Worth asking about, as well as the piston rings and main bearings.

I sure hope they don't plan on reusing the seals as well??

Too early to go now, but in another hour or so I'll head down and ask away.

Stay tuned... .....



David

still truckless in Milwaukee

 

[Paul Somers]

Hope they don't plan to re-use old head and pan gasket. lol

 

[Extreme1]

Or the oil!

And the antifreeze?!?!?

 

[Dr.Evil]

If You need Amsoil ATF, I KNOW that J&L 4 Wheel Drive on Rt. 151 between Sun Prairie and Madison has it on the shelf. It would be a nice little ride for You & the Wife to go pick a few quarts. Only about 1 hr 15 min. from Milw. Stop at the outlet mall in Johnson Creek. Drive on down to "The INN and Pub in Cambridge WI for lunch. Visit Rowe Pottery... . I live in Sun Prairie & work in Milw. Drive that route every day.

DENNY... ... ... ... ... .

 

[DCMille290]

re: 100K, new block--update-unreal!

OK, I arrived early Thursday morning to check on progress. What progress! Spoke with SM and asked where my truck was.

Hey replied "the parts aren't here so we won't have it done, you may as well pick it up"

That was a far cry from what he said to me Tuesday morning.

After much discussion and chatting with 2 techs about who might be able to work all weekend it was decided it would not be finished by Weds.

Now I am really getting perturbed. Where the *ell is my block???

SM, "I don't know"

OK, how about finding out where it is?

SM, "when I finsih what I am doing"

Fine.

After 10 minutes of waiting, he returned and said to me that the block and parts we there after all.

(I am losing confidence in these guys and Great Lakes Cummins by the minute)

Finally the SM decided to go and talk with his boss. It was then decided that Green Bay Cummins shop was no where near as busy as GLC and someone was on the way to pick the truck up and do the work and return the truck here by Weds am.

Get this. They were going to put the old pistons back in with the 100,000 mile rings in the new block!

You have to kidding me? Even the tech said replace the rings.

So I asked for new rings, a whole $38. 00 installed on the pistons. They are replacing the main bearings and all of the seals and gaskets as part of the block R&R. Thank God for small favors.

So, here I wait while my truck is about 100 miles from here and I guess I'll have to bug this shop via phone and hope they are a little bit better at communicating exactly what is going on in their shop.

Thumbs down on how GLC handled this whole job and for the poor service department in general.

I will be calling GB this morning to make sure they have the work order calling for new rings. I am not leaving anything to chance.

I'll keep you all posted.



David

still truckless in Milwaukee

 

[Extreme1]

David, I sent an e-mail!

 

[johnrv4]

Ditto on the e-mail David. I don't really care for that dealership either. I went there for fleetguard filters once and the parts man insisted that the 24V used a 3552 oil filter. I told him about the part number revision for the 24V and he just had a blank look on his face. I've had good dealings with the Greenbay shop. Maybe better in the long-run to have it up there.