Engine/Transmission (1998.5 - 2002) Blown up motor towed by Ford.

[Ghostroller]

6:00 pm headed home after a long work day 3 rd gear - let off gas to come to stop at stoplight and kaboom. followed by black and white smoke and a rapid knocking sound. I think the motor threw a rod or dropped a valve. The ttuck is a 99 3500 with 97,000 miles what should I do take it to Cummins or Dodge? I just had Cummins adjust the valves last week. Any ideas what it might be? It is really bad when the rollback tow truck that picks up your dodge is a Ford Babystroke.

 

[lmills]

Take it to dodge. It's still under warranty.

 

[pwr2tow]

5 year 100,000 mile warranty on the engine which ever comes first, as long as it does not have any fueling enhancement products on it. Dodge owns the warranty on the engine so take it to a chrysler center, not cummins.



Ron

 

[moparguy]

Let us know how it turns out.



Good luck, Ronnie

 

[rashwor]

KDP???

Could it be the dreaded KDP (Killer Dowel Pin)???



If the time of warranty (5 years) has not expired, take it to Dodge and let them foot the bill. You just might get a new motor!Oo.

 

[MCummings]

Originally posted by Ghostroller

Cummins adjust the valves last week.

Any ideas what it might be?

Might have been a push rod was not seated all the way in a tappet, and it finally decided to seat, resulting in a dead cylinder.



It is possible to properly adjust the valve when the push rod is not seated in the tappet properly, only to have the pushrod seat properly, and loose all adjustment on the valve. (Valve won't open)



Merrick Cummings Jr

 

[Ghostroller]

wrist pin broke

Dodge dealer just called and said no warranty - it is a 1999 model and the 5 years is up. He said a wrist pin broke and at a minimum it neads a new short block. I am disappointed in a 97,000 mile truck that has always been serviced by the book and never had any modifications to it - it is even carrying the stock size 215/85 tires - bone stock no modifications at all.

 

[JWhitcomb]

Sounds like DC uses fuzzy math.

 

[Thomas]

Why did the wrist pin break?



TSB 09-004-01 deals with oil filter failure resulting in clogged oil passages.



If you end up paying for this have you investigated repair cost from:



CUMMINS MID-SOUTH INC.

6600 INTERSTATE 30

LITTLE ROCK AR, 72209

501. 569. 5656



versus your Dodge dealer?

 

[Oliver88]

I guess using that math, my 99 is out of warranty also. Oh well.

 

[lschultz]

Looks like its time for you to throw a fit Stay on that phone and keep going up the ranks. Have you talked to the owner of the dealership where you bought it?Tell them all the members of the TDR are waiting for the outcome. If it is out of warranty they have ways they can cover this. Keep the pressure on them.

 

[rashwor]

Warranty...

Starts as of the date the truck is purchased from the dealer as far as the 5 years goes. Do the math and make sure the dealer is not yanking you or trying to get a pass.



Stay on them... if it is a matter of a day or two the dealer may work with you... you catch more flyes with honey than vinegar.

 

[Vaughn MacKenzie]

Ghostroller, my guess is the dealer is going by the date printed on the engine, which could be 1-3 months or more earlier than the purchase date, depending how long it sat before purchased. Are you the original owner? If it's been less than 5 years since you picked it up, you have a case!



This is the first time I've heard of a wrist pin letting go. I would insist Cummins do a failure analysis of the wrist pin.



What oil and filter did you use and who changed it?



Vaughn

 

[rholcom2]

Buddie with same problem

My buddie had the dreaded cracked block, the truck had jus twent out of warranty. It had 109K on it, he somehow went through Cummins, and they in fact warrantied it, well, half of it. So it did cost him 3grand but it was better than the 6 grand the Cummins dealership estimated it at. I dont know what your situation would be, I would hope that it would be better than his, since your truck hasnt passed the 100K mile mark. GOOD LUCK

 

[BudW]

If you PM me your VIN, I can check the in-service date for you to see if under 5/100 or not.



Bud

 

[stacerbob]

My cousin works at Cummins Mid-South.

It is a good place to have work performed.

 

[Snow man]

I do feel bad for you. But if its out of warranty on a time basis,there really isnt much of a leg for you to stand on . I would try to find a used motor and put it in. maybe you just got a bad one. Sell the VP and head off your motor to recover some of the costs,and get the truck back on the road. If mine blows up at 100K it doesnt owe me a dime,but yours being stock,thats terrible.

 

[stacerbob]

Off the subject...

Like Dan said, there was an '83 Aries K on ebay a year or so ago, it was new in the dealers showroom, 13 miles came with the factory warrenty!! Why? Who knows!

 

[GeneralMachine]

Bummer

My Math comes in at four years. anyway i sure wouldn't give in with that answer, cummins should want to get a answer as to why this happend. good luck. Harv

 

[bmoeller]

If you get lucky, sometimes you can find NEW, not reman, complete drop-in engine for less than a reman. Have seen ads like that before, and they were asking around $5K.