Engine oil & fuel on ground

[s.kelly]

My pardner & I both have 2006 CTD's with 6-spds & 4WD in the 2500 series. He just e-mailed and said he had to have his truck towed because he was out in the woods when the check eng lite came on. An inspection revealed engine oil & fuel all over the ground, engine compartment and under the truck. We are both still under the 36K mark. 2 issues:

Since he was 2 miles closer to one dealership than his own, he had to pay $300 difference in towing---for 2 miles? Come on Chrysler, that's definitely not good PR, especially when truck sales are sagging as they now are.

Also, is this to be expected from my own truck? The tow truck driver told him he's seen this same thing on other Dodges and the problem ends up being a failed injector with a cylinder wash down and engine replacement. I'm planning an Alaska trip with mine next spring carrying my Lance camper. Now I'm worried I'll be out in the middle of nowhere (like he was) and have a problem like that. Is there any history of this problem, and if so, what is the fix? Also, could the low sulfur fuel be a factor, and should we be running lubricity additives?

He's always been a Ford man, but bought this Dodge on my recommendation. This is my 4th Cummins and I've always had very good things to say about the engine (and the trucks).

What are his options now, with the warranty, and towing bill? Can I expect mine to go away also?

Skip Kelly

-- email address removed --

 

[JDiepstra]

1. $300 for a tow? That is rediculous. I had my truck pulled up on a Freightliner flatbed, while it had my 9'2" plow on it. I asked the guy how much the tow would be (it was covered by my warranty) and he said about $100 bucks. The tow was about 15 miles, in the middle of winter, in a snowstorm (dead fuel pump). Was he towed from China?! My tow was completely covered. I would check your warranty, see what it covers, including towing, and push back on the dealer HARD on that one! I see know reason why it matters what dealer you go to.



2. The tow truck driver could well be correct.



3. I would not worry about this happening to you. It happens (obviously) but is usually a result of a performance chip, box, programmer, or whatever, adding pressure. Do you or your "pardner" use performance adding boxes?



4. I would say that is is not due to low sulfer fuel. Do you mean ultra low sulfer fuel? Either way, in an 06, either fuel is approved for use.



Good luck. I hope someone else has more answers for you!

 

[Tinman]

This kind of failed injector isn't that common, but it does happen (even of stock trucks). Would one expect to see changes in oil temp or pressure (if running those gauges) as an indicator that things aren't rights?

 

[s.kelly]

Thanks for the info. He hasn't gotten results from the dealership, so the jury's still out.

 

[JEstes]

Somebody correct me if I'm wrong, but if the problem was caught in a relatively timely manner, can't they usually replace the failed injector and sleeve the bad cylinder?

 

[rbattelle]

Would one expect to see changes in oil temp or pressure (if running those gauges) as an indicator that things aren't rights?

I think it depends on how fast it happens. EGT would be a better indicator, but even then if the failure happens suddenly it could be over before you even look at the gauge.



It seems to me that these failures usually aren't sudden. The engine was probably behaving differently and making unusual noises but the operator failed to take notice until it was too late.



s. kelly - so was he using a performance box? On what interval was the fuel filter changed?



Ryan

 

[sag2]

The warranty covers towing to the closest dealer. If the dealers were 50 and 52 miles away in opposite directions he should have paid for 2 miles. I'm thinking he didn't opt for the factory tow vendor and ended up paying for the entire tow. If that is the case he is out of luck. At that point I would turn it into my insurance company if he has tow coverage.

Ryan is probably correct that there were some symptoms that might not have been noticed. If the crankcase filled in a short amount of time there is most likely enough lube oil to keep things protected. I would change the offending injector(s), change the oil and filter and drive it for a couple thousand miles. If it has any excessive blow by after that it might need to be pulled down for a look. I would not sweat it yet.