Ask the Engineer LIVE Chat - THIS IS THE PLACE!!

[CumminsEngineers]

If the UREA system is not being used on the 2500/3500 Diesel trucks, why is it being used on the 450/5500 trucks?



wayne

Cummins has the capability to choose the right technology for the market. For the Chassis Cab product, we determined that SCR was the optimum solution for duty cycles required in this market. However, for the pickup product, we already had a proven combination of advanced technologies that met 2010 emissions three years early. Therefore, we invested our resources in continuously improving our current technology rather than applying SCR, which is a new technology for the pickup product. Pickup customers can continue to drive without the need to fill their trucks with diesel exhaust fluid (DEF).

 

[CumminsEngineers]

Why can aftermarket chip and module makers get greater fuel economy and we can't get it standard?

It is important to understand that Cummins and Dodge invest significant resources in tuning for the best overall economy, performance, durability, and emissions compliance. It is sometimes possible to make trade-offs in one area for gains in another. Unfortunately, altering this balance can cause problems for truck owners, including the possibility of fines for emissions non-compliance and engine / emissions system failures which may not be covered by the warranty.

 

[CumminsEngineers]

Have the Cummins engineers considered how much extra pollution is generated during the regeneration process? Is the net effect with the new emissions equipment cleaner air while the engine is running, but increased pollution during the regeneration process?

The reported emissions results are a composite of the base engine emissions and emissions during the regeneration process-so the net effect is a much cleaner product. Thanks for your question.

 

[CumminsEngineers]

From DGamelin 11-12-2009 10:42 AM



What is the urea fluid going to cost?

The MY2010 pickup is not equipped with the SCR (Selective Catalyst Reduction) system which requires Diesel Exhaust Fluid (DEF). But in reference to your question the DEF price will be market driven. The DEF prices at the pump are estimated to be comparable to the price of diesel fuel.

 

[CumminsEngineers]

From ACerf 11-20-2009 03:41 PM



Emissions Issues.



I want to start off by saying, thanks for taking our questions, I must say that it is nice to know the Cummins/Dodge are concerned about their customers.

Question; Most of the dealers I have spoken to have expressed concerns over PCM and Emissions issue. They have all told me to hold off for a couple of more years until Cummins/Dodge can iron out these problems. So I guess my question is; have these problems been dressed?

We have gone to great lengths over the last 2-1/2 years continually refining and enhancing the Cummins 6. 7-L Turbo Diesel for the Ram Heavy Duty truck. If you are ready for a new truck, buy a Ram Heavy Duty truck with the Cummins 6. 7, and be confident that you have chosen a great truck with a great engine.

 

[CumminsEngineers]

On behalf of the entire Cummins team, I wanted to thank everyone at TDR, both the members and the staff. We really appreciate the opportunity to hear your feedback and answer your questions, so this has truly been a great evening for us.



We will continue to work through any posts we have not yet addressed, as well as the questions that were submitted in the other thread. If your question was not answered tonight, please check back over the next few days as we respond to rest of your messages.

 

[TDRadmin]

Dodge, Cummins and BBDO Detroit staff and engineers, thank you for taking the time to put on this event for TDR Members. Your time and the information you are providing are sincerely appreciated by both our staff and membership.



We look forward to reading your follow-up posts over the next week or two.



Thank you all again.



Robert Patton

Editor, TDR

 

[CumminsEngineers]

Ram / Cummins Engineers,



I would like to know when the next government emissions update will be? Will the 6. 7 used in MY10 be able to meet the next mandate? Or will urea need to be used?

The next round of diesel emissions regulations are still being defined, and we are not really at liberty to discuss future products. However, you can rest assured that we are already working on 'what comes next'.

 

[CumminsEngineers]

Hello, I have a brand new 2009 6. 7. I have seen a lot of talk about DPF and EGR. What is the best way to drive these trucks? Drive it hard or drive it like I always have with other vehicles I have owned and take it easy to last a long time?? Is there a problem with taking it easy when you are not pulling a big trailer? Thanks for your time!

As stated earlier in this thread, we do love to see you work our engines, but they are validated for all representative duty cycles. Drive it to suit your needs and maintain it well, and it will take good care of you.

 

[CumminsEngineers]

Posted for George Winter:



My question is my mpg. My dealer made a flash change you guys said to make in your 'Turbo Diesel News' 6/11/09 New Calibrations 6. 7L performance. They did it & my mileage went DOWN 5 mpg. Dodge says they cain't go back.

Who in this world can at least flash me back at least. 2008 1 Ton and was very happy. HELP?

I appreciate your question. There are no changes in the calibration that would cause the observed change in fuel economy. What you are seeing is likely related to how the fuel economy was measured, or a mechanical factor (change or issue).



When comparing fuel economy, please bear in mind that comparable fuel economy numbers can be difficult to achieve. Differences in vehicle load (payload or trailer), changes in tire size, drive cycle, speed, driving style, and terrain can all have a very noticeable impact on fuel economy.

 

[CumminsEngineers]

Posted for BSchwarzli



Thanks guys (and gals if we have any!) for taking the time to answer all of our questions!



Question 1 - With all of the recent issues with turbos sooting over, and very frequent regen cycles, has anything been changed/programed differently that will help elliminate turbo failures?



Question 2 - Will the high idle feature that can be dealer set on the 1st gen 6. 7 be factory set on the 4th gen trucks?



Thanks for your time!



Robert

Question 1 - We have been working non-stop to refine the Cummins 6. 7-L Turbo Diesel for the RAM Heavy Duty since its launch. This has included many controls and diagnostics enhancements, which have been made available to current 6. 7 owners through the latest ECM flash updates. For the new trucks, the benefits of this work are incorporated from the start.



Question 2 - For 2010, the idle-up feature is enabled from the factory on automatic transmission trucks. The engine also has an automatic fast idle warm-up for cold starts, which is enabled for both automatics and manuals, so many of you may not need the idle-up feature.

 

[CumminsEngineers]

Posted for MLee:



How about oil and fuel filtration. Will there ever be a prefilter used in both of these applications?

Many guys are putting after market duel filter fuel systems on.

Thank you.

Marv.

For fuel filtration on the later 5. 9 and 6. 7's, the answer is yes:



1. Mopar is offering a new severe-duty filtration kit that includes a 15-micron filter that offers expanded water-stripping capabilities. This kit was developed by Chrysler speficially for the Ram Heavy Duty trucks. Reference Service Bulletin 14-003-09 for more details.



2. The new filter-in-filter technology used on the 2010 engine offers 2-stage filtration in one small package. Inside the outer filter element on the new engine , there is a second smaller filter element. Both are neatly integrated into a single, easily-serviceable filter cartridge that, reminiscent of the 5. 9's, is serviced from the top. This technology was launched in a bottom-load format on late-production 2009 6. 7's, and is offered as an upfit for the earlier 6. 7's as well.

 

[CumminsEngineers]

Posted for Maxter119:



Thanks for taking our questions. For the older engines we have had many opinions on additives. Should we be worried about the new ULSD fuel? Do we need to add any extra lubricity and cetane improvers?

ULSD fuel was developed to be a backward-compatible replacement for the outgoing Low Sulfur Diesel fuel. In general, additives are not needed. Thanks for the question.

 

[CumminsEngineers]

On the 6. 7 engine, what can be or what has been done to allow long idling times when it is unwise to shut the engine down due to extreme cold temps and/or the possibility of serious consequences if a restart attempt fails?

This is a great question. Thank you for asking.



If you must idle the engine for extended periods, the net zero / net reducing idle function launched in production and in service calibrations in early 2008 is an important feature. This feature offers expanded capabilities in managing the soot level in the DPF during extended idle periods. Further, since the engine idle speed will automatically be increased as needed by the ECM, using the manual idle-up may not be needed.



In general, extended idling is not needed due to the great cold weather start-ability of the 6. 7. With the integrated inake air heater and fuel heater, it will start in very cold temperatures. For extremely cold starts, cycling the intake heater multiple times is helpful. Additionally, every 6. 7 comes from the factory with a block heater to take the cold weather starting capabilites even further. If you bought a truck without the block heater option, all that is missing is the cord, which is available from Mopar.

 

[CumminsEngineers]

2007. 5 with 292,000 miles, auto sixspeed, great work guys... keep it up!!!

We see a lot of high-mileage Ram trucks with Cummins power, but we always love to hear about it. Thanks for sharing!

 

[CumminsEngineers]

From MLee 12-08-2009 09:38 AM



My question is, that on most heavy duty truck such as the 4500 and 5500 the power is de-rated why is this?

I would think that the extra power would be needed for the extra work required, not taken away.

Thank you.

In the commercial market, fuel economy and low cost of ownership is most important. In order to provide optimal cost of ownership in this market, we had to have a lower rating than the pickup.

 

[CumminsEngineers]

Will the new V8 des engine be designed for easy overhaul? Interval?

Cummins appreciates and values customer input. In fact, serviceability is one of the key considerations in our development.

 

[CumminsEngineers]

What's next? Cummins has historically been a leader in meeting and exceeding emissions goals for diesel engines. Now that DPF/DOC and urea injection is in use all over the globe - what is next in terms of diesel engine emissions strategies for Tier V and beyond? Some manufacturers are having a hard time meeting interim Tier IV with DPF/DOC, piezoelectric injectors with multiple injection events at ~3000 bar, VNT/VGT, compound turbocharging, massive cooled EGR, etc. Most are solidly at or near interim Tier IV compliance. However, Tier V seems like a solid challenge at this point. What is Cummins doing to address this challenge and meet that goal? It would be interesting to see if any future emissions technologies developed avoid dosing the DPF with fuel for regen cycles. Owners and accountants alike are not keen on burning fuel that does not contribute to actual work product.

At Cummins, with our broad range of integrated technologies, we have the ability to choose the right technology for the right market. As with all of our products, we conduct extensive testing and validation to ensure that our product is the optimum solution for customers in each market. Unfortunately, we are unable to provide any further details on future products at this time.

 

[CumminsEngineers]

Will the future engine block materail for the Cummins diesels go to CGI (compacted graphite iron)? If so, when will this happen? Would the major service interval increase above 350,000 miles?

Cummins, as a technology leader, has access to a broad range of technologies; however, we are unable to discuss future products at this time. Thanks for your question.

 

[CumminsEngineers]

Why won't you make a long bed megacab?



I would like to see 4x4s come with the option to be in two wheel drive and be able to use low range on the transfer case.



Better fuel economy is a must, my 1995 diesel 2500 gets 24 miles per gallon at 72 miles per hour. The new trucks don't get that good and therefore I am holding off on purchasing a newer model.



I would like to see larger factory fuel tanks for all models



Will you make a hybrid 3/4 or one ton using the 6bt cummins?



Since many Cummins powered trucks are used to pull RVs, it would be great to be able 120v AC power generated from the truck itself to power the Air conditioners on the RV.



FYI, if for some reason, the RAM would no longer have the Cummins, I would no longer have an interest in purchasing another RAM, I would buy whatever truck is wrapped around the Cummins.



Thank you for your time and taking our questions/comments.

Over the years, there have been many changes in the diesel industry, many of which have lead to a much cleaner environment. However, fuel mileage will vary due to truck configuration, duty cycle, road speed, and environmental conditions. From an engineering perspective, there is an inverse relationship between NOx emissions and fuel economy. To reduce NOx, we need to lower combustion temperatures, which essentially lowers efficiency. We utilized new technology such as high pressure injection to regain some of this efficiency. The emissions standards on the diesel truck market have been reduced significantly through the years - particularly, the emissions standards changed significantly between MY1990 and MY2001. Despite the 50%+ reduction in NOx emissions that occurred in 1998, Cummins was able to meet this requirement and yet minimize the fuel economy degradation.