Cummins Emission Control Software and Hardware

[HBarlow]

This subject has come up several times and I have posted more than once what a Cummins, Inc. spokesman told me in an e-mail a few months ago. I even posted my e-mailed question and the e-mail reply I received from someone at Cummins, Inc.



I had the good fortune and pleasure of speaking with a woman engineer at Cummins a few minutes ago and found that what I had posted, which was based on the written words of someone at Cummins, Inc. was completely wrong.



Cummins is responsible for the emissions hardware and software installed on our 6. 7L Cummins engines. I guess the fancy "BlueTec" name and logo is nothing more than advertising hype from Dodge.



The Cummins engineer told me that when I asked the question earlier this year it was possibly a little too early in the learning curve with the customer service staff that is responsible for answering inquiries such as mine, or possibly, my message was routed to the wrong department.



She told me that all the regeneration equipment and software is, in fact, provided by Cummins.



I apologize for putting bad information on the TDR. I didn't like the answer I got a few months ago, was somewhat skeptical about it, but accepted it at face value because it was in writing from Cummins. My gut feeling at the time and up until earlier today was it seemed very odd that Cummins would build the engines and Daimler, MB, or Dodge would design and build the emissions control and regeneration software. In fact, that was wrong.



My faith in Cummins and my Dodge is restored. I have confidence now that even if the regeneration software and hardware are not currently perfect, Cummins will make it as close to perfect as they can over time.

 

[grasmo]

Harvey even though you keep your truck engine stock your alright w/ me because you have INTEGRITY that is something that is quickly disappearing from our society!

 

[HBarlow]

Thank you for a nice compliment Grasmo. Apparently you are also a man of integrity because you noticed and appreciate it as I do.



That is a pet peeve of mine in this world we live in today. It is saddening how often I run into people who speak openly, even brag about and encourage others to cheat a business, the government, anyone else it seems.

 

[grasmo]

I also love tinkering and trying to get horsepower. But I'll Tell ya integrity beats horsepower every time!

 

[dlmetzger]

The answer to the question of emissions responsibility was under the hood all the time. There is a decal by the radiator.

 

[Freebore]

HBarlow,
I really appreciate the clarification on this. My 07 with 6. 7 is bone stock and it will stay that way. I have a brother in law who has an 08 3500 and is in the same position - we want the assurance that the emissions problems will be overcome and I can't imagine that Cummins would not be very actively working on these issues - the stakes are far too great to ignore.

Great post.

 

[2Rowdy]

Texan.....

 

[dlmetzger]

Looks like my photos resolution isn't good enough to read. The key phrase is "This vehicle is certified by Cummins Inc. for DaimlerChrysler corporation".

 

[HBarlow]

The answer to the question of emissions responsibility was under the hood all the time. There is a decal by the radiator.

Duhhhhh! Good thinking. I never even thought to look. I have always ignored those decals.

 

[courierdog]

I have been trying to tell people that this truck is Cummins all the way.
The entire Engine, fuel delivery, Intake and Exhaust is Cummins/Fleetguard all the way. My truck is stock after 182 K Km and until the EGR totally plugged up has run every day since I bought it in June of 07. My truck is a work truck on the road 7 days a week. My dealer is part of my team in keeping it on the road. The EGR system employed by Cummins is the weak link. The External EGR system plugs up and will bring the truck down. This needs to be converted to an in cylinder system where only a portion of the Exhaust gas is held in the cylinder and a new charge of air and fuel is added to the mix on the next power stroke.
The new Reflashes are only beginning to address the aggressive EGR issue. My truck runs on the road at speed the bigger issue is the in town truck running at lower speeds at lower RPM's and lower engine temperatures. The truck with the automatic transmission should never be allowed to use any gear which will permit sustained operation at less than 1400 RPM. Even a limited amount of running around town will plug up the DPF as well as the EGR System if care is not utilized in keeping the operating RPM's is a range which generate heat and force behind the Exhaust Gas to expel the soot through the system where it can be dealt with by Active Regeneration.
With the number of hours I spend per day in my truck which is fully equipped to monitor the engine activity (gauges) I want to know what it is doing and when. As a retired Engineer this is just part of my training. I drive Hot Shot for something to do to keep active as I enjoy driving. Sorry if I appear to be stepping anyones toes.

 

[Regcabguy]

If it's all Cummins,why is it that Cummins says they can't diagnosis problems? Is it the Dodge software or something?

 

[Bob4x4]

If it's all Cummins,why is it that Cummins says they can't diagnosis problems? Is it the Dodge software or something?

Cummins and Dodge worked out an agreement on the 3rd gens... ... ... . only Dodge would be able to access/repair.

 

[HBarlow]

I think any Cummins service department can service an ISB5. 9 or ISB6. 7 but probably not under a warranty claim unless no Dodge dealer is available.



If the truck is out of warranty I know of no reason why a Cummins service department can't repair them.



I'm not sure they are always the best source of information though. Their main experience is on the big Cummins engines in OTR trucks. A good, well-trained, Level IV certified Dodge dealership Cummins tech is probably often a better choice because that is what he does every day.



One important factor is I think the software in the Cummins ISB in the Dodge platform is different than that in a FL MDT or Ford F650/750 so a Cummins service center probably can't plug in and diagnose. They can replace injectors, injection pumps, water pumps, etc.

 

[Bob4x4]

I have friends at Cummins... ... ... they do not have acess to diag software. They would have to purchase outside their system.

 

[tom sweeney]

..... thanks for the info Harv... (et al)..... tom

 

[Bob4x4]

Freightliner is building a front drive MH chasis using the 6. 7. I hear it will be Freightliner exclusive as well



Bob

 

[grasmo]

I'll Bet a third party builds the interface and software (Bosch?). I wonder just how much power these engines are capable of without the emissions. Who owns the company Blue-Tec?

 

[courierdog]

Blue Tec
BlueTec - Wikipedia, the free encyclopedia

 

[HBarlow]

I followed Courierdog above's link to wikipedia one step further to the Ward's annual 10 Best engine list using the Blue-Tec system which was contained in his link.



There was no generic Daimler listing but Mercedes Benz's 3. 0 Liter sedan was listed, several years of Chrysler's 300C Sedan hemi engines were listed, and the 2004 Dodge Cummins was listed.



It appears that while Daimler owned Chrysler our earlier Dodge Rams w/Cummins ISB motors were using the Blue-Tec NOX system.





Ward& - Wikipedia, the free encyclopedia

 

[Bob4x4]

I followed Courierdog above's link to wikipedia one step further to the Ward's annual 10 Best engine list using the Blue-Tec system which was contained in his link.



There was no generic Daimler listing but Mercedes Benz's 3. 0 Liter sedan was listed, several years of Chrysler's 300C Sedan hemi engines were listed, and the 2004 Dodge Cummins was listed.



It appears that while Daimler owned Chrysler our earlier Dodge Rams w/Cummins ISB motors were using the Blue-Tec NOX system.





Ward& - Wikipedia, the free encyclopedia

The bluetec name was not placed on our Cummins till 07 with the 6. 7

The 300s only had in the export market (MB diesel )not hemi.

Looks like wiki missed the boat a bit



Bob