Engine/Transmission (1994 - 1998) 12 Valve engine self distruct?

[Mziven]

Most recently, a magazine---"Diesel Trucking" (?) ran an article that has me horrified. The article drove home that there is a chance that a steel "guide pin" could fall out of the front of the block into the gear timing case of all 12V engines from 89 to 98. The result has three scenarios. 1st. it drops straight down and hits nothing. 2nd. It falls out, damaging or breaking a few teeth on a couple of gears. 3rd. It lands just right on the crankshaft gear and takes out everything from the connecting rods, pistons, heads, injector pump... ... ... get the picture.



Cummins is aware of the failure has a kit that will contain the pin and save the engine from catastrophe.



Is this common knowledge and I just missed it, or is this just now coming to the surface?



Anyone out there with the experience of good or bad?

 

[LandShark]

Yup. You missed it. It's common knowledge for years. Look in the FAQ's at the top of this forum for KDP. Also do a search for KDP or killer dowel pin and you will find hours of reading.



BTW: Welcome to the TDR!

 

[Mhannink]

this pin is called the kdp(killer dowel pin) and while it does do some damage its not as bad as the articale makes it out to be. when it happened to me it cracked the case and that was it. some do fall and do nothing and others crack the case and gears and a few other things. i havent heard the of the whole engine going but i suppose it could happen.



best fix for this is to open the gear case and tab the pin. just like cummins says to fix it 2 to 5 hours depending on how fast you are. if you i want i can give you a fairly good write up on it otherwise there are several on this website.



this is something you will want to fix asap though it will save you about 2k

 

[Signal73]

Log onto tstproducts.com and order yourself a tab kit, get it done or you could be next! Its a common failure Ive seen damage from it 1st hand and its alot cheaper to fix now, then later.

Jim

 

[QWaller]

50 bucks and a little of your time. Priceless

 

[Forrest Nearing]

type in "KDP" in the search function and click to view all posts

 

[WDaniels]

Mziven,

You don't list the year of your truck, but the KDP that is coming out is most common on the 97. Mine came out and it just blew out the top of my gear case and did not do any damage to any of the gearing. The gears are far tougher than the pin. My pin was chewed to a little nub.

WD

 

[bighammer]

There were KDP jigs being circulated for use by members that allow you to drill and tap a hole to put a bolt in front of it so it can't fall out. The advantage to this is less wrenching. (and time)

The advantage to the tab method is that you can check the bolts inside the gear cover.

 

[DonTX]

Apparently you do not know the history of the truck, it is certainly possible that a previous owner already killed it, might pay to check with the previous owner. .

 

[Kiohio]

Too bad there isn't an easy way to tell.

A mechanic that worked on my truck before I bought it said "If It's been done by me, you'll see orange Sillycone on the case".

Well theres' orange "sillycone" on the case LOL.



KO

 

[DonTX]

But the drill and tap system would leave evidence easily seen.