Engine/Transmission (1998.5 - 2002) Cracked Engine Block

[Pit Bull]

I think there is a better chance for WWIII then your #53 block cracking. Then you won't have too worry about it cracking Atleast you have a number on yours, mine doesn't even have a #, I wonder where that leaves me

 

[Rob Thomas]

Not that it matters, if it cracks it cracks, but the curiosity is killin' me. I don't see a # anywhere, by the oil filter or by the injector pump, is there somwhere else I can find it?



Later, Rob

 

[Pit Bull]

Originally posted by Rob Thomas

Not that it matters, if it cracks it cracks, but the curiosity is killin' me. I don't see a # anywhere, by the oil filter or by the injector pump, is there somwhere else I can find it?



Later, Rob

Sounds like yours is like mine. Some of us don't have numbers on the block. Depends on where your block was made. I don't think that makes ours any better or worse than the others. My truck was built in St. Louis in November of 1999. If mine cracks were all in trouble since mine is used only as a daily driver

 

[One Old Dog]

cracked block

will I went out and looked and I have the good old #53 block with 71,000 on it . It's time to chang the coolant and put in some texco ext life coolant. Does anyone know of a good flush that i can put in to help clean it out. I guess i will face the crackeds block when it happens but entil then bombs away.

 

[Rob Thomas]

Pitbull,



Mine is also a St. Louis truck, built in Sept. '00.





Old dog,



I didn't use a flush, instead I attached a garden hose to the heater hose fitting on the head, and flushed it out that way. Then ran the water 'till it was clear. I've changed my coolant three times, and I'll do it again at the end of the summer.



Later, Rob

 

[One Old Dog]

tHANKS rOB I THINK I WILL DO THE SAME THING.



LATER jOE

 

[NScott]

Well, I am another member of the "53"block club. I tow very heavy- (over 25,000 gross) often and I do worry about the possibility of the block cracking. I wish we had a benevolent attorney member that would get their attention by filing a class action lawsuit against either D-C or Cummins or both of them for making and selling a product that they know is faulty. I'm sure there are some consumer protection laws here that have been violated and it will be up to some lawyers to get their attention on the matter instead of some bull-**** run around. A class action suit may or may not be successful againt their mighty lawyers but it will get the potential problem more and public exposure,which is what they DO NOT WANT! I think it could result in getting some type of extended block warranty against cracks alone. What do you think!!!!

 

[Ram_Kowboy]

I work in an engine rebuild shop. See Cummins 5. 9's almost on a weekly basis. I can report that I have never seen a cracked block failure. I did have a customer who had one block failure around the block heater. He attributed the failure to overuse of the block heater. I guess I would have to say I don't think that Cummins is having a big block failure problem.

 

[Jeff Knight]

My 02 has a "56" block in it. It was built in Mexico. Jeff

 

[Pit Bull]

Originally posted by Jeff Knight

My 02 has a "56" block in it. It was built in Mexico. Jeff

Jeff you have one of the heavyduty one's. It has the thicker walls. You will never have a problem with that block.

 

[jwilliams3]

Jeff,

Your Truck was built in Mexico.

Your Cummins Engine was assembled in Columbus Indiana.

And your block was cast in Brazil and machined in Columbus Indiana or Rocky Mt. NC.



--Justin

 

[Oil Burner]

Anyone know if the 55 blocks have the thicker walls?

-Jason

 

[Jeff Knight]

Thanks Justin. I should of been clearer as to what was made in Mexico. Working the midnight shift I'm a little tired in the morning. Jeff

 

[cmills]

ME TOO!!:{



Cory

 

[Ron Bissett]

Re: Off to buy some DCA

Originally posted by Jetson

I'm going to add some diesel coolant additive and forget about it, hopefully. If it helps the cavitation problem, it couldn't hurt.

Read the instruction on cooling in the owners manual NO Additive to be used in the cooling system of the Cummins eng . The dealer could try to void your warranty if you crack the block and they test the fluid . Cummins eng do not have a cavitation problem. Ron in Louisville KYOo. Oo. Oo. Oo.

 

[Pit Bull]

Originally posted by JStull

Anyone know if the 55 blocks have the thicker walls?

-Jason

Jason with a 55 block you don't have to worry. They have the thicker walls.

 

[Oil Burner]

Thanks Pit Bull. This thread had my attention all day yesterday!

-Jason

 

[John Berger]

I'm a member of the "53 block" club. Only place I found the number was under the fuel pump.

 

[Hohn]

ah.. the joy....

One way I have real peace of mind about buying the LAST of a generation is that they usually have all the bugs figured out by then. I can't check my block now (it's about 12000 miles away), but I am pretty sure I have a 56.



Between that and the Evans waterless coolant I will be changing to, I sleep VERY well at night. (well, as good as I can in the middle east when my wife is back in GA)



HOHN

 

[Sregorb]

Whew! 56 here. I can go back to worrying about the lift pump now... .



Brian