Cummins Engine Problems

[Joe Turbo Diesel]

I own a 2000 PSD with the dreaded cackle/knocking sound. My question is did the Cummins have in the past any serious engine problems to warrent a recall. Also I notice that the ram 3500 has coil springs rather than leaf springs in the front. Is this a better setup as far as durability. Do you know when the restyled Ram will be on the market.

My PSD is going to have it's second rear pinion seal replaced(1st one was in April of 2001)and I'm getting mad at the support Ford has given me and others with this cackle problem. I'm thinking of trading in my truck in about 2-3 yrs for a Dodge Ram 3500 SLT plus. It seems like a better truck. Thanks Joe

 

[Ramboy]

I have a '99 purchased in Nov. '98 and as yet have not had a recall on any part of the engine. There have been recalls on the truck. One for ignition switch and one for trailer hitch but can't recall any others. As for me, in 50k miles, the engine has been bulletproof.

Phil

 

[BV]

I think there was a very limited number of 2000 or 2001's that had a lift pump recall. Engine wise - my 99 it has been just fine.

 

[HVAC]

The Dreaded Cackle

Joe, have you been keeping up with the work Kim Lux has been doing on the cackle issue? Very interesting stuff and from what the beta testers have said, very successful too.



From what I've seen so far, doesn't look like Ford is going to go the extra mile for you on this.



PS. I'm ecstatic about a motor that can do 11 second quarter mile times, get great mileage, and last forever Cummins, it's all good!

 

[The patriot]

engine wise....other than fuel sending units and track bars...

70K miles. 1 fuel overflow valve an air filter, and regular oil changes.

I think that's good.

Eric

 

[KatDiesel]

There were a few engines that had a soft camshaft or something of that nature..... Cummins immeditaly recalled and corrected them (most were in new trucks). I think it was like 28 trucks or something like that... . just going from memory here.



Other then the lift pump problems on the 24v trucks they generally are sound engines. On the 12v trucks the "Dowel Pin" seems to be the only "possible" problem engine wise.

 

[rob10858]

since 1990, weve never have had, nor have heard of any problems with our cummins motors. come to think of it weve never had any engine problems nor major recall from the int diesels in our fords either. weve had some motor mounts vibrate loose on the fords that could have caused big problems, but that wasnt the fault of the power plant itself. look at the whole drivetrain package, and then decide what is the best for you. as far as the duramaxes go we were prepared to order one a couple of weeks ago when the dealer's service manager [ whos an old friend and has taken care of our chevy trucks] told us to hold off for just a little while longer while they get some problems corrected. i know that the owner and salesman would be extremely ticked at this kind of advice, but it made me think alot more of the dealer, or at least this one , even if he didnt know it.

 

[BushWakr - RIP]

I was told...

by a fuel inj. fella that the PSD's were very susceptible to cackle if they had too much timing advance. He said that as the timing went forward the sound got more and more noticable. I don't know if that is your situation but have you had the pump timing checked properly?? Just a thought.