Engine/Transmission (1998.5 - 2002) Another 53 poll

[tractorface]

I would really like to get an idea of how many 53 actually develop a problem so... ... ... post away. mileage would help



Guess I don't know how to do a poll :-laf



Anyway

How many with a 53 and no problem?

How many with a 53 an a crack?

How many with a crack on other than 53?

How many too superstitious to post?

 

[cmills]

53

I put 192,000 on mine and never had any problems with it cracking but when I had the engine rebuilt I went ahead and changed the block just for the peace of mind

 

[Regcabguy]

My block went at a whopping 18,000 miles. Stealership replaced with another short block retaining my head. Lucky me another 53. Got it back after a week and lift pump failed. Three more days and voila! 43,000 total miles and no leaks yet. Incidentally, I've got a 99, build date: August 98 Bajabob

 

[TSRAM]

62,500 miles and STEAMIN' one morning from guess where... ... ..... In due process of painfull repair presently.

 

[FourBarR]

have a 53 block. 338320kms. no cracks yet. no power increases over stock.

 

[DEickhoff]

88,000miles with a 53 block. 12V 1998 build in Oct. No increases in engine power yet.



dawna

 

[Ram4Fun]

70,000 miles with my 53 block. I just found out its a 53 yesterday. I've had every other problem from my 1999 3500 from the 5th gear falling off to the oil sending unit going out. No Injector pump yet, I have a few things to look forward to.

 

[rmrc]

97,000 on my 53 with no power mods and none planned. Completely stock. No problems.

 

[ProspectorTim]

53, no crack. 124,000 miles

Truck details in signature hyperlink.

 

[Speedo]

I've got a '99 3500 4x4 auto. I started smelling hot anti freeze but couldn't find any leaks and I hadn't heard of a "53" block. This went on for about a week and there was no apparent loss of coolant. I headed out of town with a slide-in in the bed and a 4 place snowmachine trailer in tow. About half way to my destination the heater started cooling down, then the engine temps started going up. I found a place to pull over and by now the leak was apparent. I drove it back home by loosening the radiator cap and checking the level every few miles. I got a new short block installed at 90,000 miles and I'm at 165,000 miles now. I didn't get another ''53" block.



Gus

 

[cpeters]

173000 and no crack on my 53 yet. It better not crack my wife would definately not understand!

 

[tractorface]

Real expensive

cpeters I hear ya loud and clear. :-laf I am in the same boat.

Injector pump=1500

FASS=500

Transmission=4000

Misc BS=?000

Cracked Block=1/2 of everything I own, and she would take the truck for spite :{



Fingers crossed

 

[brianMo]

53 poll

I am living the cracked block 53 now. 112k on truck. Mildly bombed. Trying to determine the best fix. Still driving dailey... keeping a very close eye on level of coolant. What a pain! A new member of TDR. Hoping to get some input on this problem. Any help would be appreciated. I do not want to give up yet! My first thought was trade it... but sticker shock sent me on a reality check!



Brian

Missouri

 

[JHudson]

53 block with 53,000 miles so far with no crack. Use truck to strictly pull my 5er. Presently truck is put away for the winter with next trip planned for end of April 2005 to Hatteras NC.



As to power mods, I have the Blue Chip FMS and EZ. First power mods was a VA which was installed July of 2000 with mileage at 9150. Changed VA to an EZ in July of 2001 at mileage 18595 because VA developed too much black smoke at high elevation in CO for my liking. FMS installed August 2002 with 30432 miles on the truck. I run the FMS at 30 percent one hundred percent of the time. I never turn it off. In my opinion, really made the truck.



As to this cracking problem, I sure hope it doesn't happen to me, but from all these post, it is apparent that it may/may not happen. I guess I might fall more towards it may happen as 80 percent of the current mileage is towing with some kind of performance modification running.



Hopefully I will never have to cross the cracked block bridge. Time will tell

 

[CStewart]

160,000 miles no cracks yet.



Chris

 

[jrhodes]

88,012 and no cracks yet

 

[DavidC]

53300 miles 5 years 2 months :{ .



Dave

 

[patcarman]

i have a 2001 3500,how do u know if u have a 53 block and if so where does it crack.

 

[DavidC]

i have a 2001 3500,how do u know if u have a 53 block and if so where does it crack.

http://turbodieselregister.com/forums/showthread.php?t=116737&highlight=53+block



Dave

 

[DavidC]

And another

http://www.stamey.info/Truck/Cummins53BlockFAQ.htm



Dave