Engine/Transmission (1994 - 1998) How important is the killer dowl pit to replace?

[myoldodge]

Im starting the build up on my 98 12 valve and everyone tells me to take it to Cummins and have the KDP covered with the tab kit. When I talked with the lead mechanic at cummins, he said not to worry about it until Im making over 500 HP. My build up should come in at around 420-450 HP. Plus, cummins is telling me im looking at around $2500 for the KDP kit to be installed. What should I do?

 

[moser11]

I"ll bite. . your kidding right???

try the search key on the KDP ... . its about $35 or 5 min. in front of a bench grinder with a piece of flat bar... . if your makin that power then its probably even more important..... lol

 

[jtwcummins]

First, don't go back to that shop!! TST sold a kit, not sure if they still do, that is inexpensive and reasonably easy to install. Just checked and kit is $65. The following is from TSTs site:



If you have heard of “dowel pin issues” on the 12 valve Cummins 5. 9 with the P7100 Bosch injection pump then you may already have taken care of your truck. This dowel pin issue applies to all '89-'98 12 valve Rams with Cummins engines and many other non-Dodge Cummins 12 valve engines. If you have not heard of the issue, or you heard yet have done nothing and you are the owner of one of these vehicles, listen up. A dowel pin failure could destroy your engine completely or do no damage at all.





The aluminum front gear housing on the 5. 9 Cummins is precisely located on the front of the cast iron engine block using dowel pins. The dowel pin is about 5/16 inch diameter by 3/4inch length made of steel. During engine assembly the dowel pins are driven into holes drilled in the block such that about half their length protrudes. Matching holes in the gear housing permit a precise fit of the housing the block. Several cap screws are used to hold the housing to the block. The problem with the dowel pin occurs because the hole in the aluminum gear housing was drilled through. During engine operation vibration could cause the dowel pin to work its way out of the hole and fall into the gear case. When the dowel pin falls, it can drop right to the oil pan or land in the gear housing, causing no damage at all.





On the other hand, the pin can be caught in the camshaft gear and forced into the aluminum gear housing, breaking out a big chunk of the housing which would cause a huge oil leak and an expensive, time consuming failure.





Worst-case failure is when the dowel pin goes between the cam and crank gears, or cam and injection pump gears, breaking the gear off the camshaft. The camshaft stops rotating instantly causing valves to stop operating, leaving some valves open and some closed. The crankshaft continues to rotate for a few seconds, slamming pistons into valves, and possibly ruining block, crank, rods, cylinder head, and valve train. Almost no reusable parts in this case, a complete engine swap could be required.





If you are the owner of one of these 12 valve 5. 9 engines and you haven't taken preventive action, we suggest you take action before the vehicle strands you in a bad location and sticks you with an expensive repair bill. TST offers a “Dowel Pin Kit” that includes the parts you need to access the dowel pin, positively lock it in place so that it does not come out. Installing this kit requires removal of the engine fan shroud, fan, damper, and front gear cover to gain access to the dowel pin. Once the dowel pin is secured, a new crankshaft seal included in the kit is installed in the gear cover and all parts are reinstalled. This kit sells for $65 and takes about 4 hours to install. See DowelPina.pdf for complete installation instructions





Kit includes the parts needed to fix the famous dowel pin problem on the 1989-1998 Dodge diesels. The TST Dowel Pin Kit contains-



Cummins Crank Shaft Seal



Egg Shaped Washer



Bolt



Red Lok-Tite



Ultra Grey Permatex



Detailed Written Instructions

 

[Missouri Mule]

Cummins shop probably played it down because sooner or later you mite need another engine.



KDP is not if it falls out but when, and when it does it can cause $500 to $5000 worth of damage.

Instead of worrying, take care of it. Tab is best method but time consumming.



BTW I had both my Mule and Freightliner taken care of. (Yes it can fall out of Cummins 5. 9 in med duty trucks. )

 

[GCroyle]

IMHO,



FIX IT.



If you catch is before any level of damage the fix is so much easier, can be done in a couple of hours, minimum parts and cost.



My 12V was purchased with a failed KDP, it took us working and home 5 weekends (1st time rookie's) to pull it apart and that included pulling the cam and a new front case. What a mess.



Good luck.



Gary

 

[WyattEarp]

My question to you is: can you afford not to do it? i think we all know what the answer is to that one, mine is getting done at the end of the month and if mine has fell out and missed everything completely, my heart will drop to my feet and i will say a prayer cause i have no other truck and couldn't even think of getting another engine.

 

[WilsonF]

Its up to you, are you a gambler? If so roll the dice. Pay a little to tab the pin or pay alot to fix the damage.

Floyd

 

[Steve St.Laurent]

Contact tp0d ( https://www.turbodieselregister.com/forums/private.php?do=newpm&u=10223 ) and see if he still has the kdp jig kit that was developed by a TDR member available. Last post I saw from him was in December and he said he still had it. With that jig you can take care of it in about an hour and there's very little disassembly required. As I recall when I did it the only thing I had to remove was the fan. You do need an air compressor and a drill but that's it on your end.

 

[GCroyle]

Its UNANIMOUS!

Its UNANIMOUS,



TDR has spoken and we all agree, FIX IT! And enjoy many hard pulling, gear rattlin trouble free miles!



Let's quit this one while we all agree!

 

[hsmith]

Done!!!!! Let's move on now.

 

[Extreme1]

Nah, you don't have to fix it! My buddy didn't listen to me (his shop told him it was an internet myth). His medium duty (class 6) straight truck dropped the pin and took out the gearcase. The kicker? He paid them to fix it!

 

[GCroyle]

That's it!



We now have proof it is an internet myth, urban legend, stuff of dreams and has never happened.



So what was it I spent 5 weekends on a couple of years ago? I forget.

 

[JMcCoy]

Just get the tst kit. I made my own tab, but that was before the kit was available. It's not that hard. As stated earlier, it takes about 4 hours if you take your time. I could probably do it in 1. 5 hours now that I have done it once. Good luck.

 

[SDrake]

Replace you front crankshaft seal while you are at it. Very little additional time.

 

[DieselDoghouse]

Seriously - from what I've read here its really NOT important at ALL…Until it lets go—then it just BECAME very, very important! I wouldn't diss any Cummins-certified mechanic BUT the collection of minds I have witnessed in my years of membership here—gotta go with that! If your engine fits the criteria I would address it, after all are ya really gonna sleep not knowing?? Just my 2¢

 

[The patriot]

Uhhh it's called "the KILLER dowel pin". :-{}

 

[AMink]

It's not a horsepower issue. It's a "it'll fall out and cost a lot of money" issue. I did mine on my 97. It had backed out just a little, but I don't know when it started or how long it would take before it came out all the way. It wasn't hard (get the kit) and I got to know a little more about my truck while doing it. Just do it. BTW, my truck was stock except for a 10 plate and a 4" exhaust and no cat and a BHAF. I did the KDP before I did the rest.

 

[DragonflyDriver]

What's the lowest mileage that you guys have heard one came out?
Anybody know if anyone has had a timing gear case bolt come out? I know that they should be checked too and for that reason, the tab method is preferable IMHO.

 

[surfbeetle]

When I did my 95, I had a bit over 100k miles and it was still in the slot, but backed out. As for the timing gear case bolts, yes, mine were loose but not out. We removed them one at a time and put red loctite on them and reinstalled them. And contrary to TST's site, it's not just 12 valves, some 24 valves have had to have it done as well. Just do a search on this site. Imagine the bad luck if you had a 24 valve with a 53 block and a need for a KDP...

 

[jleons]

Hello

I have a 96 Dodge Ram, and had 90,000 miles on it eight years ago. Thanks for TDR I read about the KDP and installed a fix. The pin moved out 1/4" and was ready to fail. I was lucky. Do it now.

JL