Engine/Transmission (1998.5 - 2002) 98.5 24valve troubles?

[BDech]

Looking at a 98. 5 24 valve truck with abou 60 000 Ive heard alot about this year motor having problems with cracked blocks I am going to make sure its not a 53 block but i dont know much else about this year truck/motor what other problems do they have if any, Thanks

 

[JR2]

I think the 53 block is your biggest concern. There where also some issues with the injection pumps since that was the first year they where used on these trucks. There is really nothing you can do about that, if it has failed its been replaced already. If its a 5 speed then it will have the 5th gear nut problem, but that is another problem you can't do much about till you own the truck and it goes bad. There are a number of recalls for that year (a reflash of the ECM and the hitch are the two that I can think of) and those have probably already been done or you can get them done.



So in short nothing that I can think of, just do the normal stuff you would do when buying a used vechicle. Run a car fax (or get the dealer to do it for you). Take the vin to your local dealer and see if they will run a record check on it and give you any history on the truck. See if you can get any maintance records from the previous owners, etc.



Good luck.

 

[Steve St.Laurent]

They are also susceptable to the killer dowel pin problem - which has easy remedies. Also, lift pump problems - easily monitored and there are also remedies. I've had very few problems with my '98. 5 - the lift pump being the only real hassle which I solved 85,000 miles ago and so far hasn't returned.

 

[TowPro]

I think the replacment for the 53 block did not come out until mid 99? So unless its been replaced somewhere along the line, I bet its a 53.



Personaly I would not worry about it. I put 98K on one with no problems. In fact I bought mine in July of 98, so it would have been one of the first generation pumps as well, no problems with it either. But of course I never put on a box that attached to the pump wire.

 

[Vaughn MacKenzie]

My first Cummins was a 98 24-valve. It was such an early one the engine was built Dec. 27 1997! The only thing that went wrong with it in 62,000 miles was the APPS sensor went bad (thottle position sensor). It was a good truck.



Vaughn

 

[willyslover]

one of the hightest HP trucks on the TDR forums at close to 800 HP is a 98. 5. . it's been above 500 HP for at least 4 years and still has the original block and injection pump. . and still lives with new owner

a non worry issue IMHO

 

[JKuehl78]

Exception

I love my 98. 5. I think it averages about a 2002 now. My "53" cracked at 125,000, my lift pump went at about 80,000 and with having a fuel pressure guage at the time caused my VP 44 to go also. I had 275's and a boost fooler at the time. I had the hitch problem taken care of and the re-flash. The pumps were done under warranty. I basically have a new 98. 5 that I wouldn't trade for the world (I can't aford to).



When I joined the TDR I read for days on end all the horror stories about my year truck. I figured that couldn't all happen to me... WRONG!!! It seems to be pot luck. Some last some don't. My truck started out life under my 18 year old foot... Poor truck. All things considered it's held up well.



My hind sight suggestion:



Have the Fuel Pressure checked at the dealer and if it is less than 14 at the VP have them replace the lift pump at least, if you can talk them into a VP DO IT!! A dealer will have record of the recall work done and should be able to handle what, if anything, hasn't been done.



I've lost track of where I was going with this so I'll stop.



Remember I love my 98. 5... (seriously)

 

[JKuehl78]

with OUT

I meant that withOUT a FP guage my VP went too... sorry

 

[fullthrottlefarmer]

I don't think they all had a 53 block. I cant find a 53 on my 98. 5. It has been a good truck. I replaced the lift pump at 70,00,the fuel gage sending unit at 50,000,had the trans replaced under warranty at 30,000,along with a axle seal. The truck now has 76,000 miles on it.

 

[JR2]

Just to add to your confidence, my Dad (Jack in Alaska) has an early 98. 5 that has 130K on it. No major problems ever. He lost the 5th gear nut, had one lift pump go bad at 85K, and had the front end rebuilt once. Not bad for a truck that has been pulling a big pig 5th wheel tralier 75% of its life.

 

[ffken]

i would also recomend taking it to the dealer prepurchase and checking the mielage on the computer and not taking the dashes word for it. that was my 40,000 mi mistake.

 

[FourBarR]

my 98. 5 now has 299,450km. #53 block, same vp44, 3 , lift pumps,no other problems with the engine.