Engine/Transmission (1994 - 1998) 1996, Cracked block

[Red Rocket]

I just bought a freightliner FL70 hook truck with a 5. 9 ISB in it. After driving it for the morning, I realized that I was smelling coolant, and a little inspecting shows a leaking thermostat gasket, and a crack in the block. I can't see the crack though, because the prev owner JB welded it, without success. Any input would be nice, the truck has 117,000 on it, and I like it so much, I hate to lose it over this. What is my best bet... .



Nick

 

[PWeber]

If it is in an open area you should be able to get it welded. Call a welding shop or radiator repair place. Tell them you heard if they use a "High nickel content" rod you heard it will work. I repair crashed cars and have had mounts for alternators, power steering pumps, etc welded back on the front of the block to save not having to replace engines. Buyers have never called back about these welds. (Usually I have them tap and put a bolt inside that kind of break. You cant do this on a crack). Anyhow, you should be fine. email me if you want my phone # to call and talk about it.

 

[Philip]

Using JB weld to cover a cracked block would fall under fraud laws if you talk to a lawyer. You just bought this truck. The previous owner knew about the problem because he tried to hide it with a ****ty repair to pawn it off on some one else. In a court of law you would most likey win. I have been in court on a couple of cases like this.



Sounds like you have one of the #53 blocks in it. There is a known defect in the 53 blocks that cause them to crack around #5 cylinder just under the head surface.

 

[Red Rocket]

I am going to check the casting number in the morning, and I'll let you know what the numbers are. I don't want to jump to conclusions yet, but I wish I had known ahead of time. I have found the welding rods for this, and I'll talk to the mechanic tomorrow about that. Since Cummins knows about this problem, why don't they do anything about it, or what are my chances getting it fixed out of warranty.



Nick

 

[CPFF]

Cracked Block

Seeing its in a Freightliner, I'd call Cummins first - They should cover it.

CPFF

 

[NScott]

I don't know if you have a 53 block or not. If you do, you are another one of the many unlucky. I too am in this group,however, my block on my 99 has not cracked YET! I don't know if it will or not but it has a better than most chance because I tow heavy, I bought the truck to TOW, if I didn't want to TOW the loads of farm equipment I pull on my 5'er, I would have stayed with the many gas GM's I have owned. It has been posted on some threads that if one loads too heavy and their block cracks that they should'nt b... h about it. I don't see it that way because the weight of the tow should have NOTHING to do with whether the block cracks or not. Maybe other things such as the transmission,rear end, clutch, U joints etc. but NOT THE BLOCK!!! It has been said that Dodge buys the engines from Cummins without warranty and I also understand that but there is a law that goes beyond the normal warranty as it is often thought of and that is the WARRANTY OF MERCHANTABILITY AND FITTNESS OF PURPOSE. I think this is where a KNOWN DEFECT by a manufacturer (Cummins) has some if not all of the liability. But I'm not a lawyer, and it would take a Class action lawsuit and many years of legal fighting to resolve. I just find it unacceptable to pass this defect off and all the potential cracked blocks that will happen in the future, by merely saying that if you are out of warranty you are SOL given the track record of long life for these engines ( up to and beyond 1,000,000 miles for some). Cummins and/or Dodge SHOULD cover just the cracked blocks for years to come regardless of miles or age because IT IS AND WAS A KNOWN DEFECT!!!

 

[illflem]

Unless your engine is '98 or newer you don't have a 53 block