Good bye to diesel

[Cobra]

This Cummins RAM is the first and only diesel I have ever had and right now I'm sorry that I bought it. Buttt I had to have it. I pretty much have to keep it for two more years, after that it will be out of warranty and paid off. Then someone else will own it.



I already had to replace the lift pump. (warranty) I put gauges on to help me know when the lift pump was going. ($$$)



Now I read about the VP44 pump and I'm waiting for the 5th gear nut to fall off.



In addition to that I read about all these trucks that idle bad, and surge while at cruise.



Oh yeah, its got plenty of power but i have to say, I've only had my diesel for a year and I'm willing to go back to the gasser. And I doubt that it will be a Dodge.



Those of you who are radical, I beg of you not to blow up my house, everyone can't love the same things. Thats what makes the world go round.

 

[Cummins Corvette]

I'm sorry to hear about your problems, but no matter what engine you get, it is going to have some kind of problems. I have had this truck for about four months, and it has been extremely nice. I absolutely love mine. Best of luck to you.

 

[GSchlegel]

Sorry to hear about your problem and anticipated problems.



I've been anticipating the loss of my 5th gear for 193,000 miles and it just keeps me a wondering when it will give out.



I've read about braking problems, steering problems, etc. , etc. , but I've very lucky. I got a good truck and I plan on keeping it another 200,000 miles.



Gene

 

[IdaH.O.Train]

Not sure I follow

Cobra, If I read your post correctly, you have had one thing go bad and that was covered by the warranty, which I don't consider the end of the world. All the other problems you mention are things that "could" go bad. And I guess if you look at it that way, the engine "could" catch fire and you "could" burn to death. However, I think you will be hard pressed to get the same performance and longevity out of a gasser. I know this from recently switching over from a V-10. But, like you said, that's why there are dozens of other makes and models to choose from. Find what makes you happy.

 

[illflem]

Cobra, this thread belongs in the 24 valve forum, that's where your problems lie, if you had a 12 you'd be keeping it.

 

[juicedcummins]

Quit youre worrying!

In 2 years you wont want to give it up because you will have learned to love it.

If you leave it stock a lot of what you read won't apply to you.

 

[Pit Bull]

Hey different strokes I had a new Toyota Tundra before I bought the Cummins. I'll take a big bad truck with personality anyday over a no personality truck. Toyota Tundra is high quality, great engineering, etc etc. But not for me. I guess the Big Dodge Cummins is not for you, no problem, get what makes you happy. But if you get the Toyota Tundra and go on the Tundra Solutions web site for Tundra owners, expect to hear stuff like (what kind of air freshener do you use in your truck) Part of owning a truck is like picking a place to live. It's better to be around the type of people you feel confortable with and have shared values with. Good luck and let us know what you buy.

 

[HillCountrykid]

If you did'nt belong to the TDR and read about the problems on the trucks, you might know about the lift pump, but probably not about the other problems. There are so many different people posting about so many different trucks, you hear about alot of problems. It's not like every truck has all of these problems. Every manufacturer, gas or diesel, has problems. Don't loose any sleep over what COULD go wrong on your truck. Just enjoy it.



Brian

 

[DUNE RACER]

Sorry to here your dissappointed in your Ram, Cobra, I get a little worried cruising around this site too and start wondering whats going to fall off my truck in the near future. Every brand has problems and there are sites like this one for each of them to discuss thier own solutions and fixes.



If I owned a PSD and was a member at the ford site I'd feel the same way while browsing through their website, you get the same types of questions, problems AND solutions. Do what makes you happy, if you want another gasser then get one, but don't condem your Ram because of what "might" happen. Good luck-

 

[markn]

Sorry to hear about your problems; I've had absolutely no problems with my Ram. However, my Ford PSD has given me grief since day 1; the truck has constant overheating problems, only on cross-country trips while towing my trailer. I've had several thermostat replacements, heater core replaced, radiator flushed, fan replacement, etc. I won't even get into the stupidity of having to change coolant every 15K and checking the SCA addititive mixture at every oil change. Then there's the "cackle" and stalling problem... Regardless of perfect maintenance, I believe it's blown a head gasket, but Ford denies there's any problem with the engine, or that their Diesel's have any problems (in spite of 2 pages of TSB's I sent them). Next time the Ford dies, I'm going to take a picture of the Dodge pulling it back home and send it to Ford



I would NEVER go back to a gas-powered truck, regardless of who makes it.

 

[Briar Hopper]

Does your Harley leak oil, Cobra? I had two that did. A 1976 Sportster, and a 1978 SuperGlide. I loved them anyway. I cried bitter tears when circumstances forced me to sell the 78' glide. Does your jeep give you problems? if not, it will later on. I had a CJ-5 that gave me no end of trouble, yet I kept it for 4 years. Only sold it when I needed the $$$.

My 2001 Dodge Cummins Ram has been more trouble than my last two trucks put together, especially u-joints, ball joints, a shorted out CD player, various leaks, a steering gear on the way out, due to a leak I never caught in time.

In spite of all that, I won't get rid of it. The whole is worth more than the sum of it's parts. Most of it I can fix or have fixed myself. The rest I had trouble finding a competent garage to fix, but I did find several. All with the help of this forum and fellow Ram owners. That is why you read about so many problems in here, it is a small minority of mechanically inclined owners sharing their knowledge, and less-mechanically inclined owners asking for advice or help. That can mislead someone into assuming these trucks are trouble-prone. That's far from being the case.

This forum is a powerful communications tool, many of us are using it in this way to get the most from our trucks, and increase our mechanical abilities. Don't rob yourself of the fun and opportunity by so quickly giving up on one of the greatest motor vehicles ever built... .

 

['956Wheel]

They said "DIFFERENT"... ... ..... it is! I got mine to tow and not worry about MPG... does what I got it for! Why did you get yours? I agree with a previous post... 12 valve would not give you the heartache. Sorry to hear of your discontent.

Mike

 

[24V-DSL]

Well said Briar.....

Cobra... . I fit Briar's "less mechanically inclined group", but the piece of mind and great knowledge I've gained from the TDR helps keep all of this in perspective. I've had 26K trouble free... . well, I did lose my oil pressure sender, but I'm convinced this is the best truck on the planet, and it's the most fun vehicle I've ever owned... . and believe me, I've had more than I can recall.



For example, I installed a fuel pressure guage to monitor, and I have the latest version lift pump sitting on the sidelines, if I need it. Today's posts alerted me to get ready for an anti-freeze change, and I pick up my Fleetguard mix tommorrow. I have the TDR and a great personal mechanic who really likes my truck for support if I need it.



I do relate to your frustration..... I had a new 94 Saab 900s (Saab story) that gave me so much trouble I eventually ended up hating the car and sold it at a loss with a big smile on my face. If you're into the "hate" mode, then it's probably time to move on.



Good luck with whatever path you choose.

 

[RichR]

Sorry I've done the same

I had a '98 12v that I had to have. Used it mostly as a big car. Loaded it only 5-10 times. Only 1000 to 2000 lbs. It was babied. I had nmerious problems with the Dodge part(really don't want to list)That I finally gave up and bought a car/Truck. I was mostly looking for reliability so I now have a Tundra. But I still enjoy The TDR and helping if I can.

Rich Rozak

 

[blackbeast]

Cobra,



Don't give up! I also work for a phone company who runs all Chevy 2500's. These trucks are always in the garage for one thing or another. The beds were so weak, that 400 lb toppers cracked the beds on all of them (11 trucks). I was out this weekend cutting firewood, and had an oak tree get caught in another tree top and spin on me. Anyways... It landed on my truck at the corner of the tailgate, and the bed. Not even a dent... . On top of that, the truck hauled 3/4 of a cord of Red oak up a 20 plus degree slope with 3 inches of snow on it. I have freinds with Fords who have problems too. The bottom line is that all of the manufacturers are out to maximize profits and decrease costs. This means more money for less product. . It is the American way. Don't give up on your RAM. Keep it for a while. You might be glad you did.

 

[ulhpilot]

I joined the TDR to learn as much as possible about the Cummins/Dodge trucks as I anticipated my '92 Chev K2500 w/6. 5L turbo diesel crapping out. Well, that was 2 years ago. My 6. 5L TD now has 125K and all the problems I have been reading about on the 6. 2-6. 5 diesel page for 4 years have yet to happen to my truck (a few minor problems but nothing catastrophic). And I'm going to keep driving it until I really want a new truck (too much $$ for new trucks) or mine gives up the ghost. I know my truck inside and out and so what if it weeps at a pinion seal or some other piddley crap. It's fun keeping it running and watching others buying new over and over again. Maybe the next generation Dodge will get me, who knows.



Mick

 

[SmokinRam]

Hang In There Bill...

Hang in there Bill...



I know you were real disappointed when my fuel pressure gauge read 3psi on your truck the other day, but like I told you before, consider yourself lucky, if the Lift Pump is the only problem you have. If you worry about problems that "MIGHT" happen, you will drive yourself crazy.



Count your blessings Bill. You have a beautiful truck that I know you take extreme pride in. I can tell because every time I see it, the truck is spotless.



Your truck right now, is trouble free. Enjoy it, because most likely, it's going to be that way for a long time...



Hope to see you soon...



Andy

 

[PRout]

Yea, 1 problem (known by all to be a problem)& replaced by warranty, is reasonable.



Talk about anticipation of problems, you should hear my neighbor talk when he tells me about his beautiful new Chevy w/ the Duramax. He's read all the stories of their POTENTIAL problems, and all I hear him saying is: "We'll see", "We'll see".



He is sure interested in my Dodge, and keeps saying, maybe he should have gotten one.



I don't know, its all opinion, but our motor is proven to be mechanically sound, and is what the others keep trying to beat. Its sets the standard. It IS the standard. There must be a reason.



Mine is at over 60k, and no problems at all. Its just finally starting to feel like its loosening up & breaking in. Runs better than new, never left me stranded (unlike my friends POS, oops PS Ford thats been towed 4 times now, once from the mountains on their vacation). The only time mine's been back to the stealer was for the lift pump (recall, before it failed). By now, its been through enough to say its a keeper. Knocking on wood.



Hope you find your happiness, but like others have said, negative vibes have been proven to make negative things happen.

 

[dresslered]

"I'm waiting for the 5th gear nut to fall off."

I didn't know this was still a problem with an '01. 5?

 

[KatDiesel]

Your choice....

But I assure you..... within 2 weeks to 4 weeks after getting rid of it... you will regret it. I just went a week without driving it, and even tho it still runs like crap I love it to death. Was driving a 5 speed contour, and or a F150 Supercrew..... no where near as fun.



I went to school for "diesel" so thats exactly why I bought it even tho I haul and tow nuthing. Then while it was on order I discovered the "BOMB'ers" on TDR and well... ... now I can turn a few heads here and there.



You'll miss the torque... ... ... ... ... ...