Engine/Transmission (1998.5 - 2002) Does any one know of people who haven't had problems?

[jrhodes]

My truck has just about 93,000 miles on it. Replaced the clutch due to the bombs, one lift pump, numerous oil filters and fuel filters to keep it running clean. Replaced the belt just to have a spare in the tool box. Other than that the truck has been flawless. It has done everything I have needed it too and never been stranded anywhere. Oo.

 

[BNeathery]

Just turned 98K

Engine:

Front Main seal at 97K (covered under warranty)

Oil sending unit at 89K

Dodge componet:

Front and rear Diff covers leaking 20K, 21K (warranty 2 times)

Shocks 40K

Tires 65K

Brakes 65K

Front diff rebuild 65K

Right front axel 65K

Rear Transfer case seal 97K, 97K, 97K (aftermarket seal did the job)

In 2 weeks will rebuild front suspension...

 

[sean3073]

Thank you all for replying. It sounds like most of you are doing well. One of you asked what was wrong with mine. It has a fuel injector problem, and right now all the dealer will do is fix the lift pump. I know of a few ways to make the vp crap out, but I really don't want to. Some other problems, AIH not working, and a few other things. I do plan on pads and such, not problem there, I was just amazed at under 100K how many problems people had, and now I am having them. I have looked at Ford and they seem to have there share too. Will some one build a CAT motor in a Ford Body, with a international transmission... ...



Once again, thank you all. I am going to stick it out in my dodge. I love the truck, just dont have the money or the time to be dropping 2K down at a time after my warranty goes out.



On another note, what is an APPS? Also, some of you talk about new ECM? What is that? Engine Control Modual? If so what does it do for ya?

Sean

 

[TJany]

i believe the apps is pedal position sensor (not sure what the a is) and the ecm's people are talking about can be reprogrammed by Marco, from all the posts about it I WANT ONE. It makes the power the truck has a whole lot more usable, quicker spool up etc. I'm sure someone else will chime in, but look up the MAD ECM thread and it'll tell you all about the ECM.



Hey Wilson, go red that way you have a CUMMINS in it

 

[J Shocik]

Sean3073, I'm sorry you're having trouble with your truck. I just went through a bunch of problems with my "97 ( and about $2200. 00 ) this past winter. The way I looked at it, I won't have these problems again for quite a while. Even the most reliable trucks break down and need to be repaired. My CTD has been very reliable the 7 1/2 yrs. I've had it. It's broken down, sure what truck hasn't? John

 

[Hohn]

The only problem I've had that I didn't cause was a back-up light switch on the trans. Replaced under warranty.



All the other stuff was my fault as I made "improvements. " Finally, I have all the "improved" parts in order, with no negatives!



jlh

 

[RNelson]

Lift pump failure at about 70k miles

Right front speaker on factory stereo system not working

replaced serpentine belt at 85k (not due to failure, just preventive maint)

routine oil changes

routine fuel filter changes

 

[aarlucas]

I have 163K on my 99. I changed the L/P & VP44 at 145K, the clutch at 140K and the tires at 120K and that's it. I figure it is a small price to pay when I consider the options. I love my truck and plan to keep it for many many more miles. I do expect to have to buy things every now and then though.

 

[OTRPU]

I could bore you all with my list, imagine I'd win the "I had more problems than you had" contest hands down. Sorta like getting the Old Maid, and it's too late for me to do that much typing tonight. You all just don't know how lucky you are.



Cheers,

Steve J

 

[rblomquist]

I could bore you all with my list, imagine I'd win the "I had more problems than you had" contest hands down.



Cheers,

Steve J

Don't know about that, especially considering mine is not used as a OTRPU.

Her'e's a quick list of stuff on my truck:



*1 53 Short block (before I got it), replaced with another 53 @ dealer #@$%!

1 Water pump (before I got it)

*Numerous sets of front brake pads (because the rears don't work until fiddled with)

1 set of rear shoes replaced when the bigger chevy dually rear cylindars were put in

1 Head gasket blown, current one may be bad (watching it now)

*Cracked dash

Right wheel hub assembly

*1 lift pump (that I know of)

*2 or 3 stock transmissions (before I got it), another one with me

*Torque Converter locking-unlocking/APPS noise/recalibration issues

*1 shrunk/cracked exhaust manifold

*Continually loosening manifold bolts (before the ATS I put on)

*The right infinity stereo speaker blowing thing



*-indicates known "mass" or "semi-mass" problems (most are listed in TSBs)



Nothing mechanical is perfect but my experince has been less than stellar (both for the Cummins and Dodge sides of it) . Truck has 110k on it now (69k when I bought it)

 

[2-ND TIME]

boy are you are lucky to have one that works

Well the 99 24V I have will be replaced with a Cat moter in a ??? truck when I get ride of this junk.



Factory SNAFU'S

Steering way out of adjustmunt $5000. 00 ++++

Engine 38 visits to cryslurrrr and cummmmins back for morrparts. Has some power but in the last number of months it idles very rough and spent +++ $ 12,000. 00

And has the dreaded 53 block that has been leaking into the exhaust ??? since new.

The one dollarshi_ in Edmonton AB was asked to replace the blower motor and they elected to try to convince me that the heater core needed to be replaced in stead. I told them that the heater selector was replaced and that didn't fix the problem so it was the blower motor. When girlfriend and I replaced the fan it has been running since. I think that I should get my money back from there mistake!!!! $1105. 00 :-{}



300,000 +++ km's and over 60,000 km's to get the truck serviced!





Question: Is there a time that I am supposed to enjoy this this thing or be trouble free???? :-{}

 

[OTRPU]

Delivered in NJ, hooked in Bristol, IN, headed for Petaluma, CA. Decided to stop and think about it in La Salle, IL. Next morning back to Angola, IN. DOC will see if he can get the transmission straightened out Monday. Decided to fight the war where I wanted rather than roll the dice. Spending yet another weekend "in the shop". Could be worse really, gotta shower, microwave, my sleeper & internet. Think me presumptious if I ask him to get a big screen TV and Satillite sub? Reason my mileage had gone to heck is it's starting out in second. The injection pump codes that were set turned out to be a false alarm. Something weird going on with my wiring though.



Cheers,

Steve J

 

[rblomquist]

What's wrong with your transmission?

 

[Jefff929]

Most everything folks here posted is regular maint. Oo.



Not counting wiper blades... oil & stuff.



Not a problem for ~80,000

 

[rblomquist]

Most everything folks here posted is regular maint. Oo.

No offense Jeff but you can't be serious. These big problems we're talking about are not related to maintenance neglect. I can live with anything wearing out prematurly if I failed to perform maintenace but that's not what we're talking about. How the heck do I do regular maintenance on my 53 block? In addition, a lot of us are having to spend thousands of dollars on aftermarket re-engineered parts to fix DC's design deficiencies.



The best thing about the TDR is folks discussing problems with candor, and to help each other overcome as many problems as possible to enhance the ownership experience. To rationalize off DC's failures due to blind alliegence and/or give them a pass under the "regular maintenance" banner is #1 wrong and #2 offensive to those that have suffered because of their screw ups.



I love my truck (when I'm not dumping thousands into it to fix it) but there's no way a rational person (IMO) can look at DC's track record with some of the 2nd Gen serious major component flaws and say they met a high quality standard.