Engine/Transmission (1998.5 - 2002) #53 Just Got Me!

[Thomas]

Same wording in the model year 2000 Warrantee Information booklet.

 

[jrobinson2]

1999 Ram pickup warranty information, page 12

2. 6

Cummins diesel engine limited warranty

A.

When it begins:

If your truck is equipped with a Cummins diesel engine, the Cummins diesel engine limited warranty begins at the end of the 3/36 basic warranty period, and covers the cost of repairing those parts of your truck engine listed that are defective in materials, workmanship, or factory preparation.

B.

Parts covered for 5 years or 100,000 miles:

In trucks equipped with a Cummins diesel engine ONLY the following engine parts and components are covered for 5 years or 100,000 miles, whichever occurs first:





Jared

 

[illflem]

Lifelong Mercedes mechanic friend in Escondido highly recommended Jack Powell Dodge.

His praise doesn't come easy.

There are some good ones.

When you find good/bad one it helps others to report it here-

http://dodgeram.info/survey_dealer/Survey_d.htm

 

[FDziurda]

53 Block

dmistal,



Sorry to hear about the cracked block, but glad to hear they are going to replace it for you.



My 99, 53 block cracked in exactly the same place you described. Dodge installed a new 56 Block with NO hassles. I had 63,500 miles on the truck at the time of the failure (Now have 85k), and everything has been fine. Cost to me was $0. 00.



One thing the dealer did tell me, was the Cummins engine warranty (5yrs or 100k miles) is not extended with the new block. At the time of replacement, I had 63. 5k miles on my truck, and was about 3 1/2 years into my warranty, so the new block only had 36. 5k mile, 1 1/2 yr warranty, which was the balance of the original warranty. Since you are at the end of your warranty, you will probably not have any warranty on the replacement block, other than maybe 30 days, to cover their work. Might be something to talk with them about.



Good Luck!



Frank Dz

 

[Thomas]

"One thing the dealer did tell me, was the Cummins engine warranty (5yrs or 100k miles) is not extended with the new block. At the time of replacement, I had 63. 5k miles on my truck, and was about 3 1/2 years into my warranty, so the new block only had 36. 5k mile, 1 1/2 yr warranty, which was the balance of the original warranty. Since you are at the end of your warranty, you will probably not have any warranty on the replacement block, other than maybe 30 days, to cover their work. "



The discussion above regarding the Cummins engine warrantee involves language in the Warrantee Information booklet that specifically states "If your truck is equipped with a Cummins Diesel Engine, the Cummins Diesel Engine Limited Warrantee begins at the end of the 3/36 Basic Warranty period, and . . . "



Regardless of the intent of D/C in regards to their warranties, the quoted language sounds interesting to me. I've nothing in the Warrantee Information booklet that contradicts the quote.

 

[LUCKMAR]

Thomas and ToolMan

Sure hope your right about the warranty on the Cummins. My husband is on his way out to get our manual right now and if your right we will we at the Dealer first thing in the AM. Thanks so much for all the info. We have been down for 3 week trying to get some help before I found this site!!

Thanks

 

[Thomas]

Good luck in convincing D/C that the Basic Warrantee & limited Cummins Warrantee run consecutively vs. concurrently, regardless of the language in the Warrantee Information booklet.



Keep us posted.

 

[cummin2pass]

I looked I have the 53 block. If someone finds out about the 3/36 please post it. My truck is a 98. 5. I will read the serial number tomorrow.

 

[dmistal]

I thought my short block would be in by today, but not yet. I will have to check with the service manager about the warranty of the replacement block, but I'm sure he told me 1yr. or 100k, I'll ask again. I think your right Thomas, but if this seemingly increasing number of 53 failures continues, it may be one more thing in our favor to get help for others not as lucky as I was. Dave

 

[BlueKnight]

Mine cracked at 103,900 miles and 4 yrs - 11 mo. DC charged me $42. 50 to comfirm what I had told them about the leak and THEN said 'Tuff', it's out of warrantee, but for $6500 plus labor, they could put in a new block.

Called Cummins and was told that they would cover 50% of parts and labor (approx $2500. 00). No hesitation with offer.

Truck is now done and ready to be picked up tomorrow.



Engine was not being worked or strained when crack occured. Was driving from Illinois back to New Jersey. Running empty, but quick. Tach stayed at 2200 (or so) for 10. 5 hours. Only lost about one gallon of AF on trip, but had constant AF odor. Did not leak when cold, or when not under pressure.

 

[dmistal]

BlueKnight, mine doesn't leak either cold or without pressure in the system. I'm glad that Cummins helped you out. It seems like many have just gone out of warranty, then this happens. I haven't got a call on my short block yet, I must make it a point to call tomorrow, been very busy.

 

[FNFAL]

#53 GOT ME

WELL HERE GOES MY FIRST REPLY SINCE BECOMING A MEMBER OF THIS GREAT GROUP. WHEN I FIRST BEGAN READING ABOUT THE DREADED 53 BLOCK PROBLEM I HAD TO FIND OUT IF THAT COULD BE ON MY 01 2500 THAT I BOUGHT NEW IN ANCH IN AUG,00. I GOT UNDER TRUCK AND I COULD NOT BELIEVE MY EYES. A BIG 53 ON BOTH SIDES OF BLOCK. CAME IN HOUSE AND CALLED CUMMINS IN SOUTH ANCHORAGE(SEATTLE). 1-877-853-5559 AND GOT JOHN ON PHONE AFTER ABOUT 3 RINGS. I EXPLAINED TO HIM ABOUT WHERE I WAS AND WHAT I HAD AND WHAT I KNEW ABOUT THIS AND THIS WAS HIS REPLY. CUMMINS HAD 3 COMPANYS CASTING THEIR BLOCKS IN THOSE DAYS(ABOUT 1999--2001)THE BLOCKS WERE CALLED:THE NAVISTAR BLOCK,THE TEK-SID BLOCK AND THE T-U-P-YBLOCK. HE CALLED THAT ONE THE 2PEE BLOCK. THE NAVISTAR BLOCK HAD NO KNOWN CRACKS, THE TEK-SID BLOCK VERSION A AND B ALSO HAD NO RECORDED CRACKS. THE T U P Y OR 2PEE BLOCKS HAD ALL! THE FAILURES. THIS BLOCK IS THE #53 BLOCK AND THEY ARE MARKED ON BOTH SIDES, AS IS MINE. HE ALSO SAID CUMMINS DID MAKE SERIOUS CHANGES IN CASTING PROCEDURE AND THAT PROBLEM WAS STOPPED. HE ALSO INFORMED ME TO CONTACT MY SELLING DEALER IF I SUSPECTED A LEAK FROM PASSENGER SIDE REAR OF ENGINE. I WENT BACK OUT AND TRULLY LOOKED AT BACK OF ENGINE AND IT WAS DAMP. AND THEN I WIPED MY HAND OVER BACK SIDE OF ENGINE. SURE ENOUGH--WET GREEN. HAVE APPT WITH DEALER. AFTER TALKING WITH SERVICE WRITER THAT I KNOW--HIS ANSWER TO ME WAS YOU ARE STILL UNDER WARRENTY AND YOU AIN`T THE FIRST. OH WELL, I WONDERED WHY I BOUGHT THAT 93 12 VALVE 4X4. I WILL NOT BE FORCED TO DRIVE NO DAMN CAR WHILE MY BLUE BABY IS GETTING GETTING FIXED.