Engine/Transmission (1994 - 1998) Company truck broke down, any suggestions

[Soldier]

Hey yall, today my company truck broke down. I was empty and headed back to the shop to drop off the Ram and get my truck to go home. While going down a small hill the engine just died while going about 45mph. It's a 5 speed so I got on the clutch and when it slowed down a little more I tried to 'pop start' it, but it acted like the engine was locked up All that happened was the tires locked up and squealed.

I pulled the clutch again and pulled over, poped the hood and couldnt find anything obviously wront. There was about 1/2 tank of fuel (filled up 2 days ago) and the engine was just serviced (new coolant, air and fuel filters, ect) last week. My road side inspection didnt tell me anything, it all seemed to be in order.



Anyway, we got the truck towed back to the shop and I left to go home. I'm going to check it out on Monday some more. What do yall think I ought to look for?



I'm still not to familiar with the Cummins engines, thanks.

 

[Ben Rumson]

The locking of the tires is a critical clue... . but exactly what, I don't know.



Sounds pretty serious - like somethings stuck/broke in the crank or drivetrain.



Does the truck start and run, but not move OR will it not crank over at all?

 

[illflem]

It could be a number of things, all of them bad, but if it did it without warning I'm thinking the kdp may have fallen out and jammed in the timing gears.

 

[Soldier]

No, it wont run, wont even crank. Heck, it doesnt even try to crank.



I was going to pull the cover and see if it was the KDP, but the boss man said not to worry about it. He had it towed to a local dealer on Sat. We'll see what they say.



Thanks for yall's replys. I'll tell ya what though, it scared the doodoo out of me when that happened!

 

[Ben Rumson]

Keep us posted.

I'm interested to hear what it is. It doesn't sound good.

 

[Soldier]

Well, it aint good. The guy that services our engines our trucks somehow forgot to add oil after the change:--)

So his company is buying us a new engine for it. The mechanic at the dealer said that once he opened it up he knew what happened. He dug down deeper into the engine and was totaly disgusted.



That thing went for nearly a full week with very little oil in it That was only about 70 miles or so, but it ran as good as normal untill that day that she gave up. Now THATS a strong engine. Suprised the heck out of me!



So yea, their company is buying us a new engine and paying for the install from a dealer, and from now on my boss is letting me service all our trucks. He even gave me a nice raise to compensate for my added duties As if the change to turn wrenches on 8 Cummins powered rigs wasnt enough!!!!!!



I still dont get to bomb them, but real oil gauges, EGT, and transmission temp gauges (for the 3 autos we have) are going in all trucks, and I get to install them

 

[Ben Rumson]

Thanks for keeping us posted.

Glad it wasn't the KDP... but, as bad luck would have it, it turned out to be much more extensive. Good thing the shop will stand behind it. Thanks for keeping us posted.



My old neighbor's insurance company used to insure the Minute Lube Corp. They had so MANY claims against them for stripping drain plugs, leaking oil plugs, wrong oil, no oil, etc. that the insurance company terminated their policy. It was costing them so much to insure that it simply wasn't worth it for them. It pays to find a reputable shop and develop a good relationship with them.



There are places, out of ignorance, speedy service, or other, that don't pre-fill the oil filter to saturation before installation. As a result, lots of engines get severe dry starts and excessive wear. Doing your own, you'll be able to insure that this won't happen.



Do your boss a big favor (and earn a few brownie points ) and either tab or jig the KDP's on each rig older than 98. 5. He'll be so impressed with your thoughtfulness, expertise, and potential cost savings due to damage that he'll be compelled to promote you to Vice President.

 

[Soldier]

I dont think he'd go THAT far But wishfull thinking never hurt



I do plan on fixing the KDP problem as we have 4 12v trucks, the others are 99 or newer. I just need to find where I can get the tabs from. I've done some reading on it, just never realy noticed where to get them from or if I need to make my own. Any thoughts?

 

[GAmes]

When Deezul1 and I tabbed ours I fabricated a couple tabs out of some . 040 inch alum stock that I had left over from another project. I received this sketch from another member but can't recall exactly who it was.

I also have a file with the instructions if you want it.

Gary

 

[Soldier]

I have the instructions thank. Just needed the measurements or where to buy one. I have some stuff laying around I could make a few from, thanks for that pic, and who ever drew it!

 

[Ben Rumson]

Dimension and diagram listed above are what I used to make mine with. Joe G. sent them to me over a year ago. I've made several out of stainless. Constant oil bath inside the cover so mild steel should do OK as well - without rusting.



As an option, R. ebel has some pre-made tabs that he's selling for $5. 00 including shipping. His been a great support to TDR members online. His e-mail is -- email address removed -- His address is Richard Ebel Box 2723 Cheyenne Wyoming, 82003. I think his are stainless as well. Figure in your hourly rate times how long it takes to make one (or several) and 5 bucks is pretty cheap.



PM me with your e-mail address if you need bolt sizes, gasket part numbers, etc.



VP, VP, VP, VP !!! Oo.

 

[Strick-9]

The oil pressure gauge would have been at 0 with the low oil warning light on. No one noticed that for a week????



-Chris

 

[MDW]

The oil pressure gauge would have been at 0 with the low oil warning light on. No one noticed that for a week????



-Chris





Chris, you beat me to it... . LOL

 

[Timinator]

Maybe it had one of those dealer reflashes that prevents the oil pressure gauge from going below 40 when the engine is running...

 

[Ben Rumson]

Originally posted by Timinator

Maybe it had one of those dealer reflashes that prevents the oil pressure gauge from going below 40 when the engine is running...

... good thing they don't apply that same thought process to parachutes! :--)





I can see it now... "New revised parachute. Solves all previous parachute problems - but is designed to NOT open below 30,000 as long as the person is falling towards earth". hummm... . ?

 

[Soldier]

Nope, I'm the only one that drives that truck. Now that you mention it though, I do recal the gauge taking a couple seconds longer to rise once it started one day, but other than that nothing funny showed up. The gauge did go up to normal readings, just took a couple seconds longer, so I didnt think anything of it.

 

[Soldier]

Welp, I worked all day today, from 8am till now (about 2am) and I got gauges in all the trucks (but the one getting the new engin) and fixed the KDP in the 3 12valves that are left. One of them looked like it was bout to fall out (just broke 100K miles) and the other two were about half way out (one with about 150K miles and the other with almost 130K).



I appreciate yalls help. Through a search I was able to find some pretty good instructions and tips on the fix. I was also able to make my own using the drawing posted, thanks a lot for posting that pic! After the first one I had it down to an art