Engine/Transmission (1998.5 - 2002) '99 dowel pin failure

[illflem]

Neighbor's friend brought over his '99 with 72k with no modifications today for advice on an oil leak. Pulled the fan and hub, most definitely a cracked case from an escaped dowel pin. Luckily he's still barely under warranty. This is the first one I've seen on a 24, it's not just a 12 valve problem.

Beware '99 and older owners!

Click here for info on preventing what could be a very costly repair.

 

[Chief USA]

Where do 2002 trucks stand on this issue?

From what you wrote, I take it that this is NOT a problem for 2002 trucks????? Or is it? If not, what was changed to prevent this on 2002 trucks?

 

[VicR]

Illflem,



Did you happen to notice what the s/n of his engine was?



I assume this is something that he will have covered under his 5/100 engine...



By the way, you live in a great place. I grew up in Gt. Falls and went to school in Bozeman. Wish I was back in MT.



-Vic

 

[illflem]

I didn't get the s/n, don't know how much it would have helped anyways, as there was a mix of new and old style cases till they ran out of the old style. The build date on the truck was 09/99.

 

[Ncostello]

illflem and others,



This agrees with what Cummins Tech line told me about the stepped hole cases (In another thread around here on KDP's). They were supposed to be new to the 24V engines... but the old cases were fitted to engines during the 1999 calendar year of engine manufacturing. Serial number really wasn't a factor. My engine was built in 10/98 so I believe its safe to assume it has the problem and I intend on fixing it within the next two weeks. Engine build date is shown on the SN/info tag on the front gear case. Cummins could not give me a "list" of serial numbers showing the last SN to get an old cover. Sometime during 1999 was all I could get. 9/99 seems pretty far into the year. Kinda makes me wonder. Dont know if they intermixed the cases during this time period also.



The Dodge production date would probably not tell you much either. I think its the Cummins build date thats important. Gee... how many 98. 5-99's this affects could be high however it is unknown to me.

 

[jrobinson2]

Gee thanks Bill, you just ruined my Sunday afternoon (02/19/99 with 81000 miles)

September of '99? I think this basically means nearly all '99s are affected as they probably started building 2000s by November or so.

Are we sure all 2000s are safe when did the 2000s start production?

I sure would like to see the aftermarket cam installers and others who have these engines apart on a regular basis add info to a list as to the earliest with new cover and latest with old cover.

When's that dang jig coming to vegas anyways it looks like I'm gona need it

Jared

 

[TradedV-10foraCummins]

illflem,



Are you sure the manufacture date was 09/99? My truck is a '99 model that I bought in August of '99 (build 06/99), and it was a left over because the '00 models were already out. If the '00 models were already out in August, I doubt there were '99's still being built in September. Not trying to give you a hard time, but I just want to double check since mine is possibly affected. Thanks for the info.

 

[illflem]

I thought 9/99 was late also but have since been contacted by a member whose '99 build date was 10/99.

 

[Ncostello]

Paul did you mean your truck was built in 6/99 and you bought it in 9/99. Otherwise they built your truck after you bought it... which would be tough



Local Dodge couldn't order me a 2002 when I looked at buying a new truck last May. Middle of May was the cutoff for orders. Of course they may have kept producing them way past May for all the orders up to May 02'. This year was a little different than past years cause the 03's were a redesigned model as we all know... so for me the consumer there was a little gap.



I personally would not pay any attention to the Dodge vehicle build date. The problem lies within the Cummins engine and the tag on your engine which gives HP, RPM, SN etc will tell a person what month, day and year it was built. That is what to me is important. Cummins said they started installing improved cases "sometime" during 1999, but they didn't have proof of exactly when... at least for me. So it could be possible that you have a 2000 Dodge Truck with a Cummins ISB that was built during 1999, which in turn could have the problem. This may not be likely but could be possible.



My 1999 Dodge was assembled in 11/98 while the engine was manufactured 10/98. So my engine and truck are fairly close if thats any indication. Again, I would look at the engine alone for answers.

 

[GiesJ]

I have an early build 98 24 v and Member Mschoenheider and I did both of our trucks (his is a 96) with the Jig kit (thanks TDR) in under an hour each. It's is a very easy fix for anyone that can change oil in their truck.

Do it for the reassurance!

Jason

 

[Big-D]

Jig Kit

The KDP situation probably affects more of us than we would like to hear about. I for one would like to fix this problem prior to failure. If Cummins cannot provide us with engine s/n numbers that ease our concerns, what are the chances of having more jigs made available? Is Cummins willing to fix this "poor design" problem for us?

Dave

 

[illflem]

The problem isn't the number of jigs

John (CPFF) has offered to supply jigs free of charge, problem is there isn't enough people who want to caretake the jigs. It just doesn't work without someone directing each jig. When John originally supplied around ten jigs a couple years ago almost all were "lost" after the first couple of users, some required detective work to track down, others were never found. Now that there is a caretaker for each area of the country things are running smooth, some caretakers are watching over more than one jig, the wait isn't all that long.



Cummins attitude is that the problem is so small it doesn't warrant a recall but it did warrant a redesigned case with the same part number as the old one. . .



Perhaps they're right, but it isn't a small problem if the pin cuts loose on you.

 

[mtanner]

Can someone pls tell me which 99's?

I also have a 99, 3500. Not even sure of the build date. Could someone please tell me what I need to look for on the engine so that I can check mine. Going out West this year, and I just don't to even think about what could happen. Thanks in advance. :--)

 

[Ncostello]

MTanner:



I would look on the drivers side of the engine... on the engine serial number/ horsepower tag which is actually on the timing case. Its visible near the top of the engine. If you look, you'll see the exact date your engine was build ie: month/day/year. It will actually say "build date" next to it.



If it has a build date that indicates it was assembled sometime in 1999 or earlier, it could have the problem. I would say any engines produced in 2000 should have the stepped hole case.



Remember, its the engine build date thats important and really isn't related to the truck (Dodge build date). I'd like to be able to tell you Cummins didn't install the old cases after a certain month/day in 1999 but I cant. I really dont think they can either. And I dont know if they installed new ones and old ones at the same time.



Not trying to say all 24V engines manufactured during 1999 have the problem... just that they COULD have the problem. Individual members will have to weigh their own odds on this. I have bad luck so I cant take chances personally.

 

[mtanner]

Thanks

Is there a list of serial numbers, or should I call or write Cummins with the information that I find, or should I just take it to my dealer?

 

[BFC]

Ok, I'm officially scared now, never paid that much attention to KDP threads, assuming I was safe with my 24v. How do we tell if we have the old or new cover?



Glenn

 

[Pit Bull]

The build date on my 2000 was 11/10/1999. Don't know when the CTD was built since I don't have the truck anymore. I think 2000's were built starting in Late Sept. or early Oct. That would mean that 2000's could also have this problem.

 

[Steve St.Laurent]

You definately have the old cover Glenn. All of the 98's do. I used the jig on my 98 24v early last year and can sleep comfortably now. My recommendation would be since we know some 99's are affected to do it if you have a 98 or 99. The fix won't cause any damage if you have the new cover, but not doing it could if you have the old one. JMHO

 

[DavidC]

Good grief, a 53 block, now a KDP, anybody else have any good news ?:{

 

[John Berger]

Looks like I'll have to do this repair, just to be safe. It should be a warranty item, but that doesn't help you much if you're stuck on the road a long way from home. Good to have this information. Thanks illflem