Cracked front gear cover and too many other problems

[Thomas 01]

Just picked my truck up from the Cummins mechanic. My oil leak seems to be a cracked front gear cover. The estimate to repair it is between $2000 and $2500. It's that high because the engine has to come out. To remove the gear cover you need to remove the engine. I have 127,000 miles and I'm thinking it's time to throw in the towel. I've had more problems with this Dodge than I have ever had with any vehicle I have ever owned. Wait, my Mini required more maintenance.

A new starter, a new computer, fuel sensor in the tank, numerous electrical problems, my 8way seat is broken, headlights sometimes go from high beam to no beam and now I'm looking at a $2000 repair.

Now that I've vented that out.

Is it worth my while to talk to the dealer, rep and factory?

Thanks,

Steve

 

[PUMPERDUDE]

Sounds like the KDP strikes yet again. Sorry to hear of your disgust. Dont blame you for being down and out. This is a problem you wouldnt see on a well engineered product. Too bad Cummins wont take care of their customers.

 

[Smoker]

Is the crack because of a killer dowel pin or is it something else? The motor does not have to come out to remove the housing. You can take most of the core support out and service it that way. If the housing is not that bad, epoxy or JB Weld can be used. It is still working for my truck. I had 4 cracks in my housing but they were on the edges. However, the whole corner where the data plate was was completely broke out and now being held by JB Weld.

 

[Thomas 01]

KDP questions

If the dowel pin was not used for valve adjustment would it still be suspect?

I am 99. 9% sure that was never done. Both mechanics that have worked on this truck don't use it.

 

[Sled Puller]

Different dowell pin.

 

[Sled Puller]

It is worth your time to find a better mechanic.

 

[Thomas 01]

Lost me there

The mechanic says he has done the repair to 3 or 4 trucks. 2 under warranty and 1 not. He has seen it on as many as 9 trucks, including mine.

He also told me he has no idea what's causing it.

 

[QRTRHRS]

Thomas, read up on the KDP threads there has been a bunch of them lately. And, if your going to keep your mechanic, show the info to him.

 

[Thomas 01]

KDP could have. Doesn't matter, it's after the fact.

The mechanic is McCormick in the Antelope Valley. He's aware of the KDP.

Says the trucks he has fixed usually had a chunk knocked out of the cover. It is very possible it was the KDP. But like I said, doesn't matter, it's after the fact. So I take it that Dodge and/or Cummins don't care a whole lot.

S

 

['956Wheel]

Originally posted by Thomas 01

A new starter, a new computer, fuel sensor in the tank, numerous electrical problems... ... ...

Steve [/B]

What does the computer do in a 12 valve? Where is it? I thought everything was done mechanically.



Shed light please,



Mike

 

[Cummins Corvette]

Your truck is a nice one, don't give up on it. Like the others said, see if you can fix it with epoxy. Don't let that mechanic near it again. Just take the fan, shroud, fan pully, and front cover off and fix it yourself if you can. I took care of my kdp with the washer/tab fix, but it hadn't come out any yet. The seat should be an easy fix. The front up/down motor wasn't working on mine, and it turned out to be a wire on the motor wasn't plugged in all the way. If the whole thing doesn't work, see if a fuse is blown. As for the headlights, that sounds like a bad switch to me.

 

[Deezul1]

Check for posts under name



Drawson



he just had the KDP break his case and fixed it with some sort of epoxy and tells how he did it, it no longer leaks. The timing pin is for setting timing and the KDP (killer dowel pin) is used to position the timing cover on the front of the engine and it can work out and drop into the gears and breaks the case. If your truck is a nice clean truck and drives good it sounds like some TLC will solve a lot of its problems.

Good luck

John

 

[moparguy]

Steve, it sounds like you've had your share of bad luck.



If it were mine and I could be without the truck for a while, I'd make a run at getting Cummins to do the repair under warranty. It looks like you're stock, so no problems there. Your mileage is over the 100k guideline, but there are often quitely honored exceptions to those published guidelines.



I'd find the Cummins and or DC contact that could help with your claim and send a letter via certified mail, keeping a copy, and see if you can get a little help. They might cover the entire cost or a portion.



I can't provide names and dates, but others have had repairs warrented when out of the normal warranty window.



Good luck, Ronnie