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

[Pit Bull]

WhiteKnight, after your Dads experience I took my truck in for oil and filter service (came with coupons when I bought it) I like to use the Stratpore Fleetguard filters. I bought some from Geno's. I asked the service adviser if they had any problem using this filter and warranty issues. He looked at me like I was crazy and said that Fleetguard made the Mopar filter and the Stratpore was just a better filter than the Mopar they regularly use. I had them note on the work order that they used a Stratpore filter. I am sure that most dealers in my area would not have a warranty problem with anyone using a authorized filter and doing their own oil and filter changes. Just keep your receipts for the oil and filter and keep a record of the mileage and date.

 

[dseabaugh]

A friend of mine that is a sales rep for Jim Wilson Co. In Cape Girardeau Mo tells me that they have been through this before and that it is illegal for them to require you to use their filter for warranty coverage unless they supply them for you. Call Allan Quick ( there are 2 allan's their) and tell him David Seabaugh told you to ask about this at 573-334-4477.

 

[dcava]

Fleetguard filters

WhiteKnight ,

The service manager at the Quinn Dodge in West Point, Va. is a super person to deal with. We had a conversation about filters and dealer oil changes, customers doing oil changes themselves, and customer supplying the oil and filter to the dealership to do the change. He said it should not matter as long as oil and filter meet specs. I'm going to call him and bend his ear, and get his opinion on this. I'll let you know how he advises.

For what it's worth Jelly in Va.

 

[Scrappy]

warranty?

I seem to remember a law that was passed that stated: warranty cannot be voided by another brand filter if it meets chrysler specs. I think the law is the moss-magnuson act. ?

 

[daveshoe]

please confirm filter

I read six pages of this post and have no more endurance [back trouble while sitting for long periods]

The original post stated that ''I THINK he used a fleetguard stratapore''

Could anyone confirm that it was actually the correct filter and number for 24 valve application and not the old filter for the 12 valve?

It would be incredible if it was the wrong filter since it was sent in for testing and all, but I never saw a specific filter number mentioned. [Yes ,I do know that 12 valves use microglass]

Not trying to look stoopid,just cautious about the facts

 

[ftb87]

any more new on this?

 

[whiteknight]

Nothing new really,

We had it towed to my wife's uncle. He offered to rebuild it or replace it for the cost of parts. Me and dad are going down tonight to help him out. Hopefully we can get it torn down over the week-end and see what kind of damage there is.



I did try to check the oil pressure regulator valve because the cummins guys said that you should be able to stick your finger in to hole and pull it out, if not it's stuck. I couldn't get a finger in there because the heater hoses are in the way but I couldn't get it to move with a magnet. We going to replace the whole housing and valve anyway so when I get it off I'll look at it some more. Probably take it up to the cummins guys and have them take a look at it as well.



As far as getting anything from Chrysler I'm not holding out much hope. It seems that everyone including people we know from the factory in Fenton, MO just has a kind of a "hands off" attitude after talking with the dealer. There are several dealerships in this area owned by the same people along with this one. The last guy form the factory that talked with them was told that I was the one "changing the oil and rotating the tires". I have barely driven it much less done anything else to it. I don't even rotate my own tires, I have it done. Dad thinks they said that because when we talked to the zone rep. here while back, dad wore his uniform from before he retired from a dealership and told the zone rep. he had been changing oil and servicing vehicles for 32 years so now they decided I changed the oil instead of dad. The zone rep stated that the filter (LF3894) was installed correctly and was approved by Chrysler to be used on the engine but because the dealer said that the "gasket was pushed out" that they would not fix it.



Any way I will keep you updated as we find out more. Thanks everyone.

 

[dseabaugh]

Keep us posted. Been wondering what is going on. Get Cummins to put in writing it rlfief valve is stuck. don't take valve apart yourself. You might want to pull motor out and take it to Cummins complete and have them tear it down and give a diagnosis and then load it all up and take it home for repair . that way you would have something concrete to use to sue the scummy B%#$$rds while you pray that lightning strikes the dealership and burns it to the ground right before the meteor hits it and leaves a huge crator.

 

[dseabaugh]

I forgot to mention that the cummins dealer should be able to do a teardown once the engine is out in 4 hrs. All you really need is the diagnosis and they may be able to discover that much before then . With that evidence then you could request an arbitration where any sensible arbitrator make DC (binding) put a new engine in the truck and compensate you for the hell you have been through. We went trhough all that with GM on a "new" suburban we bought in Cape Girardeau with 7 miles on the odo that come to find out had a 2 page work order where they repair nearly unlimited body damage. . WWith Admin's permission? could you post your address so that those of us who want to help out can send a donation . I think most of us following this thread aren't the scumbags you have been dealing with and would like help in some way.

 

[klaybus]

WhiteKnights parents truck

I'm up for a donation too. PM me or email me with an address.



Clay

 

[Sled Puller]

I would definatelu take it to a Cummins shop, one that is used to the little engines. get their take on it.



And then, oh my, would they know my name, that theywill be putting on the compensation check.

 

[Scrappy]

filter gasket

Correct me if I'm wrong, but if the gasket held for 4k mi. , then it wasn't related to who changed the oil last? Every time I have seen that seal blow out it was w/in a minute of startup after the oil change. So it sounds to me that dodge is trying to get away with not fixing it.

 

[daveshoe]

If the zone rep said "filter is installed correctly'' but would not cover it because "seal was pushed out" why not have him put it in writing. Then sue 1 the dealer 2 the filter manufacturer and 3 DC in small claims court. Let all of them fight it out.

These techs at the dealer obviously have no way of knowing if the engine put out excessive pressure because they did not do anything to check it. The filter manufacturer could probably tell you how much pressure it takes to blow oil past a "properly installed" seal. Cummins could probably tell you what engine failure could cause abnormally high oil pressure. If you can get proper documentation of the failure and show a court that the dealer did nothing to even diagnose the true cause of the failure, it certainly could help your case.

I personally would not touch the truck -- once you do, all failures will be blamed on you. JMHO

 

[Dave MacArthur]

I would love to help out as well. How about at least letting us all chip in for an independent analysis/teardown by Cummins? You could set up an account through PayPal very easily. After the results of that, you may have an easier time getting an attorney to take it as a contingency case if you want to go that route. Otherwise, set up a legal defense/offense fund.



Dave

 

[whiteknight]

UPDATE

We pulled the engine this weekend and tore it down to see what damage there was. All bu the #2 piston rods were damaged. Some had spun the bearing and the bearing end of the rods were discolored like they had been pretty hot. #6 piston looked like it had been scored a little on each side of the skirt. The main bearings looked good almost new and the block was fine including cylinder walls. The crank shaft was in pretty bad shape from the piston rods. I went yesterday to Gateway Cummins and got an estimate of parts for about $4,500 (worst case). The crank was the big ticket at $2,000 if it couldn't be turned.



GOOD NEWS!

Dad got a call this morning from the Chrysler Zone Rep. that they are going to put a short block in it for him. Dad told him that we have already tore it apart and it was scattered all over the place but the Zone Rep said that was alright and he would make the arrangements to have the work done at the dealer in Potosi, MO. Since we tore it apart. (We stripped everything down to the bare block) I don't see a problem with the short block route.



We don't know what happened to change their mind but I'm glad it did.



I'll keep you posted!

 

[Shovelhead]

Merry Christmas from D/C HUH.



Glad to hear the GOOD news.

 

[damon]

That's great news !



I have been watching this thread and have been so utterly disgusted in DC's handling of this case that I simply could not respond in this forum without filling it with bad words. Nice to see that common sense and customer service finally reared it's head at DC, at least in one person that made the difference.



Congrats on winning what should have been a no-brainer to begin with... . persistence pays off !

 

[dseabaugh]

there is proof there is a God Now they need to compensate you for your agrivation, and provide a loaner till things are made right. Wouldn't hurt to Yank a few stars either. I guess that means there will be a new Ram in our families future if things turn out well: See thread : Modifications to 03 frame.

 

[daveshoe]

I tried to find the original thread to this and was REALLY CURIOUS how many people have viewed it. I think I will fire up the printer on this one in case I ever have a warranty issue as serious as this one . At the very least, I think I will try to write the zone rep for this area and get his comments on this issue in writing. Yes I know fat chance!

It would be interesting to get your local dealer service department to read this thread and ask them what procedures they would use at no cost to you to diagnose the problem if this should happen to you.

I am very happy for your dad. Looks like nice guys do'nt always finish last.

 

[whiteknight]

UPDATE (2)

I CAN NOT BELIEVE THIS ONE!



This afternoon Dad got a call from someone who said they were from Chrysler from somewhere in California that would not give their name but told dad that he had read what was going on here on the TDR website on Friday and said he was sorry for everything that had happened to him and assured him everything would be taken care of and asked that he (or I) to please post here that Chrysler were going to take care of the repairs. :--)



So whoever you are here it is. It's been a pretty good day around the White House today.