Engine/Transmission (1998.5 - 2002) dc did not fix problem under warranty and will not help now that i am out of warranty

[JPoindexter]

problem. 2001. 5 2500 4x4 eth/dee the engine is leaking coolant from the front right hand side of the head under the thermostat area. it will leak when the engine is worked hard. it will not leak when it is not towing heavy. at approx 60k miles dodge replaced a soft plug just behind the thermostat area. at approx 80k miles dodge replaced the headgasket. they refused to check the block or head for problems, just did the gasket. they left cyl # 5 intake valve lash so tight i could not measure the gap. the engine was ok until 107k and it looked like it might be doing it again. spoke with dealer and they said if i could prove that it was doing it again they would help because it was less than 1 year from hg change. it would not leak. now at 115k it is leaking and dc said no help due to mileage. cummins said no help because warranty is dc responsibility. so here i am with a bad cummins engine in a dodge truck. no help from the company that built the truck and the same from the company that built the engine. any serious advice would be appreciatid. thanks

 

[JPoindexter]

well i was hoping someone would have some advice concerning this situation. i thought this would be to right place to post could be a slow day.

 

[CyberRanger]

Go back to the dealership & ask to speak to the service manager. Make sure you bring documentation of your situation. Stay level headed & calm. Explain the entire problem. If they still won't fix it, start goin' up. Ask to speak to the dealership manager or owner. If that doesn't work, go to the regional service manager. At some point, someone will very, very likely take care of your situation.



You could also try goin' to another more reputable dealership, preferable one that has a 5-star service rating.

 

[JPoindexter]

CyberRanger, thanks for the advice. i have been there and done that. i have not been rude to anyone. however daimler chrysler has been less than helpful. they do not care about the history on the engine leaking there two times before. their take is that the engine is past 100k and they are not responsible for warranty after that. even though they did not/could not fix the problem when it was under warranty. concerning another dealership, the area i live in has one choice for a dealership and that is it. i guess i need to check in to arbitration or some other course. thanks again.

 

[JoshPeters]

Is it just a headgasket again or is it actually a block problem?



Is it a 53 block?



Josh

 

[JPoindexter]

JoshPeters. i do not know if it is a block or head or headgasket problem. no it is not a 53 block. when dc changed the hg they would not check the block or head they just put another gasket on and bolted the head down. i would think that a problem of some sort will be found. according to cummins a new head is $2300 and change. i think a hg should last more than 30k miles.

 

[bmoeller]

according to cummins a new head is $2300 and change. i

That is BS. Call up Piers. www.piersdiesel.com



Something isn't right. The HG should've held, assuming it has failed.

 

[JPoindexter]

bmoeller. i might end up calling piersdiesel. i have heard nothing but "good" about them and i am sure they stand behind what they do. i am more concerned/upset with dc on this issue. i bought their product with "their" warranty!. it seems in my case they are trying to avoid/dodge their responsibility regarding this coolant leak. i will find a way around the disinformation they have given me. thanks for the info.

 

[JoshPeters]

It's probably a headgasket. If the tech didn't run a tap through the head bolt holes, I'm sure one didn't torque down correctly. That's all it takes.



If you have some mechanical ability, it's not a tough job.



Josh

 

[DAWG-1]

Location

What part of the country are you located?

 

[JBlock]

Maybe you can take them to small claims court for not prepairing twice while it was under warranty the problem keeps repeating itself.

 

[JPoindexter]

JoshPeters. it would be nice if it is a gasket. this problem was going on quite a while before dc ever realized it was coolant. DAWG-1. i am in mt. JBlock. that is an option. i am very short on spare time right now and will be for the next 3 weeks. if i did not have to tow heavy during the next few weeks it would not be a problem. the leak seems to be external. all oil samples have come back good. thanks for the ideas and info.

 

[JoshPeters]

I really don't think it's a block or head issue if it's leaking coolant to the outside world. I think when your towing heavy the stress loads on the headbolts are actually causing them to streach a bit and then the head starts seeping.



I'd have another headgasket put in, with either ALL new headbolts or head studs.



Josh

 

[JPoindexter]

JoshPeters. good point on the bolts. when dc did the headgasket the workorder listed headgasket only, no bolts ect. if the bolts were over the limits for stretch (torque to yield) then dc did in fact do half the job. of course according to dc it is no longer their responsibility. the manual requires inspecting the head bolts for defects including stretch. time will tell. thanks

 

[JPoindexter]

is there a government or state agency that will help the consumer when the manufacture or in this case daimler chrysler failed to fix a documented problem under warranty. thanks.