Engine/Transmission (1998.5 - 2002) Cracked Engine Block

[AMatsonIII]

I am interested in finding out if anybody else has had any problems with the 99 ctd. My father just found an eight inch crack on his passenger side of the block. It is a 99 with 107,030 miles. It as a banks power pack kit and nothing else done. Any info would be helpful.

 

[Ramafid]

That really stinks! Just out of warranty and a cracked block. Of course they would have said it was because of the Banks kit. Good luck with the repairs.

 

[dresslered]

Though the problem seems rare in our Ram trucks, it is a known failure for the #53 blocks to crack in school bus applications. I have heard of people getting it fixed under warrantee where the failure has occured just over the 100k mark. Try to see if your local dealer will work with you. Also, a well written letter to:



Daimler-Chrysler Customer Center

P. O. Box 21-8004

Auburn Hills, MI 48321-8004



might even pan out. You've got nothing to loose. Good luck,

 

[BV]

Cracked block

My Dad just had his block replaced in his motor home for that same problem. The Cummins tech told him that most of the 53's went into RV's.



Sorry for your troubles

 

[dresslered]

I think that if you look right next to the oil filter on at least 1999-2001 models (maybe even much earlier) you will see the big "53". This usually hasn't been a problem in the Ram application, however.

 

[TomGolden]

Dennis Miller, who posts under his boss's account "HWhitaker" has a cracked 99 blobk. He managed to get it replaced under waurantee at a local dealer in the Sacramento area.

 

[Vaman]

Anyone know what was different about the #53 blocks?

 

[Cummins Cowboy]

Check with Steve St laurent or i am sure he will see this thread I think he mentioned knowing some tips on convincing the warrany people that you know and so do others that this is a block with known weaknesses

 

[dresslered]

I seem to recall that someone reported that the 53's (as well as some of the early 54's) have a thinner water jacket castings (on the order of 6mm thick) where the newer ones are twice as thick (12mm). In heavy load applications (mostly school bus) the engine "knocking" causes the crack.

 

[jsimpson]

The only cast numbers I find on my 94 are "6C" beneath and to the right of the old pump, so I guess I'm OK.

 

[tmacc]

Originally posted by dresslered

I think that if you look right next to the oil filter on at least 1999-2001 models (maybe even much earlier) you will see the big "53". This usually hasn't been a problem in the Ram application, however.

Actually, on my truck, it's on the drivers side just below the injection pump. The truck is an'01 built in 1/00. FWIW The numbers are about an 1" high and are cast in the block. Meaning they project out from the block. If you got 'em, you can't miss 'em.

Tom

 

[dresslered]

Alright tmacc-

You forced me to go outside and look at mine again. The number is located in both places. When I said next to the oil filter, I really meant to say below the oil filter. Same location as yours, but the other side.



P. S. Build Date 02/00.

 

[LLokhaiser]

Mine`s an 01 Built june 2000 It has a big 55 {about 4 inches high} Between the oil filter and the front of the motor.

 

[tmacc]

Sorry there Dave,

When I found that big ol' "53" in one location, I didn't even think to look else where. Sounds like you did the same thing. Seeing it once was bad enough. LOL It's raining at the moment, so I can't check under the oil filter. Did your truck come out of the MO plant?



LLokhaiser, 55 is good. According to postings here, 53 and some 54s have the thin castings.



Not going to worry about it.

Tom

 

[Vaman]

53 here also...

 

[Gary - K7GLD]

WELL, I've looked all over the engine, and in the places mentioned above, and can't find ANY numbers cast into the block of my '02 Cummins - I did find a stamped number on the pad ABOVE the oil filter mount that started with a 56888xxxxx - wonder if the lead 56 defines the number in question... ?

 

[45A1]

can that crack be fixed, or are you out the cost of a whole motor?? i cant find the number on mine, but i'm at work and cant crawl around a whole lot. you guys have me worried a little

 

[A. Brown]

yep, looked right below the vp44 just before the block meets the oil pan near the front of the engine and the dreaded `53' was staring right back at me.

 

[Vaman]

Yeah, gave me a warm fuzzy too... I wrote Cummins to see if I could get any more information. I'll post the reply.

 

[45A1]

great! just my luck, i've got a 53 on mine too. how common are the cracks on these things?