Engine/Transmission (1998.5 - 2002) 24v gone at 14,000 miles

[GLASMITHS]

Being and "old guy" perhaps I'm not up to speed on the "new" methods of filter changing. We were always taught to take a clean, lint free (type) rag and clean the filter mounting plate. Wouldn't you feel the gasket if it stuck on?

 

[T. Baker]

I thought I read on another post somwhere that some of the first 24V oil filter head castings would crack when the cold oil pressure spiked on start up. I would sure look carfully at the whole area around the oil cooler and filter head.

 

[Chipstien]

Hey Steve,

How do you put a padlock on the data connector. Is this the one on the bottom of the dash. I cannot belive that DC would actually do this to a VITAL guage like the oil pressure. This is unheard of. #ad

 

[Steve St.Laurent]

I unbolted it from the dash, then simply put a padlock around it. The bolt part of the lock goes between the wires on the back side of the connector and the lock side covers the middle of the connector side. Then I stuff the connector up under the dash and zip tie it there. If they wanted to reflash it they'd have to pull the terminals out of the connector. I don't have the lock on there any more because the truck won't be seeing a dealer ever again. But if I ever took it somewhere that a reflash would be possible it would go back on.



I think that your 2001 may already be setup that way though. Not sure when they started it.

 

[B9Mile]

T. Baker,



You are on the right track. One of the differences in the "new" 24 valve engines is that the oil pump relief valve relieves back to the pump's inlet port, instead of back to the oil pan area, as in the 12 valve engines. This sort of acts like a booster pump.



When people were starting up their trucks in the colder areas of the Rockies, etc. , the oil pressure was way over the relief valve setting due to thicker oil and the booster pump scenario.



At that time, there were basically only the LF3349 cellulose and LF 3552 Stratapore filters available. The filter head plate separated from the casing. This must have happend quite a bit, since Cummins changed the filters' construction.



The recommended filter part#s were changed. I can't remember the new cellulose part#, but the LF 3552 was upgraded to something else (LF3894??). Each of these new filters had a heavier duty plate.



Then there were excessive friction/removal torque issues with the LF3894. A new seal material was introduced, but the part# remained unchanged.



There was a pretty good write-up in one of the TDR issues a couple of years ago about the filters' evolution with the 24 valve engine.



Maybe someone else can chime in here to help me out with any gaps in the data stream of the filter changes.

 

[your mom]

I have 1 former car dealership owner and one former service manager at chrysler newly working in my office. After reading your post they both agreed that Dodge would eventually step up and cover your dad. But you'll have to fight for it. Sad but true. In alot of the bumper to bumper warranties they don't cover gaskets and seals. If a gasket or seal goes out and harms something else they deny responsibility. The cause of the problem was something not under warranty. . the gasket or seal. That's their excuse. Keep fighting for it eventually on something that new they should cover it. Another TDR member had similar experience locally in california. He eventually got a new engine. Took him awhile.

 

[Dave MacArthur]

I've had my gasket stick on the engine at least once and maybe twice. I always fill the filter, oil the gasket, and tighten by hand. I always check to make sure the gasket is on the old filter when I go to drain it. I agree that with the pressure in the 24v he'd of seen a problem before 4k miles. It's most likely the fact that it was early in the morning and you are seeing colder temps (higher pressures). Have you or your father seen the old filter yet? I would actually want to be there when it is removed. I have an important question about filters now. I buy mine at the Cummins shop in Glen Burnie, MD. It is a very large and busy shop. I have a '99 24v. I have asked twice if I should change to a different filter (I have always used the LF3552 Microgalss) and they (the parts manager and service manager both) tell me no. It is still the best filter. I have asked about the Stratapore and they showed me specs that show that the Microglass filters to a smaller particle size. They have told me that it has a strong enough case for the 24v. Has the case been upgraded on the 3552?

 

[JyRO]

Great idea...

Steve,



Great idea on the data port padlock thing. I'm pretty sure my 2000 does not have the 60 psi oil pressure minimum setting. When I start mine, it stays on 0 psi for about 1. 5 seconds, then jumps up to normal pressure (sometimes close to the red zone). I don't plan to let the dealer touch mine for anything, but if something comes up (I even need a little minor tailgate bodywork), I'm putting a padlock on it.



Also, I always check my used filter when it comes off to make sure its gasket is still on it and that its totally intact. So far so good. Also, when I first crank mine after a oil/filter change I leave the hood up and walk back around and check the filter for leaks (since I hand tighten mine). Check the drain plug for leaking too.



Good luck with getting this engine covered, it certainly does not sound like a misinstalled filter.



- JyRO

 

[Pit Bull]

Originally posted by Dave MacArthur



I have asked about the Stratapore and they showed me specs that show that the Microglass filters to a smaller particle size. They have told me that it has a strong enough case for the 24v. Has the case been upgraded on the 3552?

I use the 3894 Stratapore, it is the latest and greatest filter. The guys that work at the Cummins shop, where did they get their degrees for engineering and design? Remember don't believe anything you hear and only half of what you read.

 

[jwilliams3]

Hey Whiteknight,

Your father followed the rules and used a good Cummins filter, and that engine has a 100000 mile warranty!!!



I would call and raise some hell with Chrysler Dealer field reps, Cummins Power Care or whatever they call it these days, keep moving up the latter.

Same with the Fleetguard people, call and keep on them.

I guarantee they'll start calling there buddies at Cummins and get this matter settled.

By the way keep this thread alive, people that deal with these type of situations read these boards (you know who you are).



You should be taken care of, your father bought that product with good faith and GOOD MONEY!



--Justin

 

[B9Mile]

Dave,

After reading your post, I remembered I had a copy of a Cummins internal notice on the 24 valve oil filters.



Maybe this will help.

 

[HVAC]

Pressure Relief Valve?

I would suspect a faulty oil pressure relief valve. The first thing that goes is the oil filter gasket.

 

[Archive]

Did the dealer find 2 gaskets under the oil filter?? did he take the oil filter off??? I would think the dealer would have looked at this. . and taken the oil filter off, it this is where the leak occured. .

(I would hope... but I have lost my faith in most. . )



I would think that a Lawyer would be all over the oil pressure deal... Is this not what we have gauges for??? even an idiot light would be better than nuthing, like some have. . I get steamed just thinking about it... . Talk to a Lawyer and then talk to the dealer. . and rep. .

I would have to agree with HVAC. . and once it blew. . no warning inside because of the gauges. . No way to tell, until it was too late...

Keep us informed...

Bryan

 

[FASTERTHANU]

You did not mention wether the oil filter outer housing is "ballooned" or otherwise deformed. It is not uncommon for an oil filter's internal bypass to malfunction creating huge pressure spikes that can explode an oil filter. I am not Mr. Turbo Diesel so I can not tell you if these filters have internal bypass or not, but I can tell you that I have personally blown up my fair share of filters on race cars with high oil pressure and thick oil that is not adequately warmed up. That is until Fram came out with their hp series filters that have a thicker and stronger steel shell. This is most common on full flow oil systems. I would definitely keep that filter in my possession until this situation is resolved... if you need a test lab report for a lawyer or otherwise I can hook you up with one that does automotive related failures. LOL :--)

 

[HVAC]

Filter Bypass?

I've not heard of a filter with a internal bypass. Just me I guess. In my post I was referring to the bypass associated with the oil pump. This governs pressure to the pressure fed components on the engine. Otherwise the pump is capable of creating more pressure then is necessary. Enough to blow the seal on the oil filter no problem.

 

[Racechaser]

My local Cummins shop is giving me a Fleetguard LF3935 filter. Anyone else??

(sorry to get off the topic)

 

[whiteknight]

Well, on Tuesday dad talked to Fleetguard and they gave him all the information to send the filter to them for analyst.



Dad went to the dealer and told them that he wanted the filter removed to send it to Fleetguard. (They made their determination that the filter had blown the gasket and denied warranty without ever removing the filter. They just looked under the hood and said we're not covering the repair). Dad and the service manager watched the mechanic (I use the term loosely, he is the one that said the filter blew the gasket) remove the filter. The mechanic told dad that he should have used a mopar filter instead of that off brand one. Dad said that the mechanic and the service manager had a dumb look on their faces when he told them that the filter was a cummins OEM part manufactured by a subsidiary of Cummins, an approved filter as stated by Chrysler, and they were the ones it was being sent to for evaluation.



The filter was not deformed in any way, was tight, had only one gasket, and the gasket didn't appear to be damaged in any way. Dad said they packaged it up for him and gave it to him. It is now on its way to Fleetguard.



Dad said they guys he has talked with at Fleetguard has been very helpful. He has also talked with the selling dealer, (Chrysler had it towed to the nearest dealer) and they said that they would wait to see what Fleetguard said and talked like if the filter turned out to be not the cause of the engine failure that they would have it towed to them and they would take care of it.

 

[Pit Bull]

Now that's more like it. Sounds like someone is going to stepup. Please keep us posted.

 

[Snow man]

Good deal Tracy,I know you'll get it fixed, in time they will pay

 

[T. Baker]

Whateve happens I want to know how all that oil got out of the engine!!! I could not be that hard to find a leak that big. Even if they replace the engine I need to know!! I'm practically holding my breath.