Archived Engine Blew!

[CGilronan]

06 3500 4x4 Truck with 78,000 is at the dealer. Had the #2 valve drop valve stuck open and then # 1 went and put hole in the side of the engine. New motor put in by dealer then. Long story short I'm told there was fuel problem need new fuel filter system with 2 filters. But now one of the parts that connects the fuel line to the motor needs replaced and is not in stock probably can't get one in for month+ Now being pushed toward new truck or sit and wait for when ever part comes in truck has been down since August 23 any ideas? Also have 2 other trucks that dealer is suggesting this fuel filter for to help avoid loosing motors due to fuel problem. And I have since found 2 other people that had exact same thing happen to motors 1 at 60,000 miles and 1 at 140,000. My other trucks have 123,000 and 80,000 and are both the 05-06 motors

 

[Dieselnut59]

Just curious, but what the hell does a fuel filter have to do with a valve sticking or dropping? Sounds like they are trying to make as much money as possible. If they suggest a 2 filter system, get a FASS system. Lots of people on here have them and love them. I am considering one for my '03. Sounds like the piece that holds the injector lines is what you are mentioning. I have heard of people having problems with it getting loose, then the injector line vibrates and breaks. Still not a cause for a valve to stick or drop.

 

[RHestand]

56lemon,

You need to clarify what happened to your engine.

What is the "#2 valve", and what is the "#1 went and put a hole a hole etc. "? The only thing I understand is the "hole" part.

Ditto Diesel59 on fuel filter.

By the way, welcome to the TDR.

Ray

 

[CGilronan]

Thanks for your reply

What Dodge told me was the computer said it was a fuel problem that caused the #2 valve to stick open. Then the Valve seat dropped sticking valve open which beat a hole in #2 piston which then caused excessive vacuum on #1 piston which sucked injector into cylinder which then beat everything up until it punched a hole in the side of the block. They actually don't know what caused this. the guess is bad fuel. So that is where the double fuel filter system comes in.

 

[HBarlow]

Uhhhh, I think some miscommunication of the details that were provided to you has occurred. I don't know or understand what actually happened to your engine but we have too few details to offer any advice.

Fuel filtration does not/did not cause your problem.

Are you the original owner/driver? How is the truck used? Has it had any modifications? Has it had previous problems and repairs?

If you spend some time browsing old TDR posts you'll see that many members have put hundreds of thousands of miles on our Dodges without engine failures such as you reported. Catastrophic failures are not common on unmodified engines driven sensibly but worked hard. The Cummins is a truck engine built to haul and tow heavy loads.

Ignore your dealer if they are trying to sell you a fancy fuel filter to solve a total engine failure problem.

 

[CGilronan]

I had a power boost computer from Diesel Dynamics plugged in. That was the only thing I had done to the truck. I carry about 4000 lbs load regularly. And travel about 1000 highway miles a weekend round trip for gunshows. So most of my fuel has been Loves', Flying J or BP. When the engine came apart the truck was empty on cruize at 65 and had been running for about half an hour in the morning edit and yes I'm the orginal owner. I had traded in a 04 Ford F350 diesel that I couldn't keep running once it hit 35000. I regularly have the oil changed on my trucks and take them in asap for service at the Dealership.

 

[AABEN]

I had a power boost computer from Diesel Dynamics plugged in. That was the only thing I had done to the truck. I carry about 4000 lbs load regularly. And travel about 1000 highway miles a weekend round trip for gunshows. So most of my fuel has been Loves', Flying J or BP. When the engine came apart the truck was empty on cruize at 65 and had been running for about half an hour in the morning edit and yes I'm the orginal owner. I had traded in a 04 Ford F350 diesel that I couldn't keep running once it hit 35000. I regularly have the oil changed on my trucks and take them in asap for service at the Dealership.

Well I hope that you will have better luck with the new Eng. Stay away from add on till it has 50. 000 miles That is about the millage to brake in the Cummins Eng. GOOD LOCK Ben

 

[Dieselnut59]

Thanks for your reply

What Dodge told me was the computer said it was a fuel problem that caused the #2 valve to stick open. Then the Valve seat dropped sticking valve open which beat a hole in #2 piston which then caused excessive vacuum on #1 piston which sucked injector into cylinder which then beat everything up until it punched a hole in the side of the block. They actually don't know what caused this. the guess is bad fuel. So that is where the double fuel filter system comes in.

Someone obviously shot you a total line of horse squeeze... . and has NO CLUE how a diesel engine works! First, a "fuel problem" has nothing to do with a valve or a valve seat. Second, a hole in a the #2 piston would not have any effect on any one particular cylinder more than any other. . and you would have oil going everywhere... out the exhaust, out the blow by tube. It would not "create excess vacuum" in the #1 cylinder. I do not think an engine could EVER create enough vacuum to SUCK an injector into a cylinder! I have heard of an injector tip breaking off, but that is not caused by vacuum. I think this is your hint to find a better repair shop!

Good luck on the new engine. If you do decide to get a dual filter setup, use the FASS, not something a dealer recommends.

 

[GAmes]

Please tell me the name and location of this dealer so I can add it to my list of places NEVER to go for service.

 

[slash925]

Sounds like the dealers blowing smoke up your s-- its under warrenty tell them just to fix it then find a new dealer for service. I worked for zone 74 in denver for 10 years , cummins before that,most dodge tecks arent that familer with the eng internaly!! all they due under warrenty is replace the asembly!

 

[Joe Mc]

Both Slash and GAmes are giving excellent advice. Have the engine replaced and find another dealer. Instruct the dealer to make "stock warrantee" repairs. And I would think you would get a 100k/5 year "from odometer and date" warrantee on the "replacement" engine.

 

[HBarlow]

Replacement engines would be more likely to have only a three year 36 month or perhaps even shorter warranty.

My guess is that "a power boost computer from Diesel Dynamics plugged in" ended the warranty issue.

 

[Joe Mc]

Replacement engines would be more likely to have only a three year 36 month or perhaps even shorter warranty.



My guess is that "a power boost computer from Diesel Dynamics plugged in" ended the warranty issue.

Interesting - That stinks if a "new in the truck" when purchased Cummins engine warrantee is 5 yr/100k and a replacement would be 3 yr or less. I'm happy this isn't something I'd have to fight over, I would if it were my issue. Just doesn't make sense you would think same engine should be same warrantee. There I go thinking again. :-laf

 

[HBarlow]

I'm not sure how this would be handled since the truck in question is an '06. If the engine were unmolested, which it is not, my guess is that if Dodge repaired or replaced the engine under warranty the owner would have the balance of the original five year 100k mile warranty which would continue from original date sold and delivery mileage.

If the owner buys a rebuilt engine from the dealer and the dealer installs it it would probably have something like a three year 36,000 mile engine warranty.

I think repair parts alone probably have a 90 day warranty.

Cummins doesn't provide a five year 100k mile warranty on a new reman engine sold and installed through a Cummins dealer, do they?

 

[Joe Mc]

Cummins doesn't provide a five year 100k mile warranty on a new reman engine sold and installed through a Cummins dealer, do they?

Before I clicked "submit reply" on my last note I tried to find the answer to the question I was asking myself on the Cummins Quick Serve on-line but couldn't.



It's typical that a dealership will do everything in its power to make the deal benefit them and not the customer, but I wonder if they are installing a rebuilt or new engine. Obvious it would benefit the customer if it were a new purchased from Cummins unit, but . . . .