Attention: TDR Forum Junkies 
TDRComm
Staff Member
Yes, Issue 120 is on its way to you.
The postal service has already delivered our copy at the TDR office and at several members’ home locations. It’s nice to be a little ahead of schedule.
What are the topics of interest for Issue 120?
Turning to the written summary on page 5… Ouch, the first thing that catches my eye is a throw-back to the “killer ‘dowl’ pin.” Dowl, one of these days I’ll learn how to effectively use smell check.
Moving on, the dowel pin discussion was a lead-in to today’s service and parts concerns. Here is a summary of Issue 120’s topics.
It wasn’t too long ago, that the 2019-2020 owners were advised that their CP4.1 injection pumps would be retrofitted with a CP3 design. Wow, this will be an expensive recall for Ram/Cummins.
So, what is new to be concerned about?
Grid heater nuts getting too hot (the grid heater does not turn off) or too loose over time and the nut dropping into the engine and causing a major problem.
The solution: There was (is) a “stop sale” of new 2023 trucks. There is a recall for 2021-2023 trucks for a relay (or is it wiring problem) that causes the heater to stay on too long. For those 2007.5-2020 owners (warranty expired?) that are concerned with hot or loose nuts, take a look at the Joe Donnelly and Stan Gozzi articles in this issue. I’m not sure we (TDR members) have a consensus on a solution or work-around.
The population of 6.7-liter engines (since 2007.5) is somewhere in the neighborhood of 1.8-1.9 million engines…No doubt, if you’ve had the problem, it is a big deal. Really, my sympathy. These problems should not occur. Then, again, it’s a 1.8-1.9 million population... Stay tuned for more dialog.
Cheating: If you want a sensational reaction, this word ranks right up there with “fire” in its ability to capture attention. Our “TDReview” column has a book review on the Volkswagen diesel scandal and there is a lot of cheating to discuss. Hey, there is even mention of the folks at Cummins from back in the late 1990s.
Do you know what “acoustic function” means. A rose by any other name would be pilot injection or, in the case of the VW group, cheating. Yes, you’ll want to read our “TDReview” column.
In the “BITW” column you’ll note the discussion on two new phrases/acronyms: Sustainable liquid fuels and medium and heavy-duty vehicles (MHDV). A rose by any other name would be biodiesel and class 2500-5500 trucks.
There is mention of biodiesel (oops, sustainable liquid fuels) in the “BITW” column. It is coincidental that in our Issue 80 magazine we had a two-page article on biodiesel (oops, sustainable liquid fuels). Since the topic is still relevant today, I asked TDR writer John Martin to give us a 10-year update. You’ll see his report in “The Way We Were” column.
There are some interesting stories from TDR members Scott Gress and Andrew Blomdal in our “EcoDiesel” and “First Generation” columns. Do you have a story to tell? Send ‘em in!
In Greg Whale’s column he evaluates Jeep’s Wrangler 4xe Hybrid. You’ll want to take note of the 4xe platform. My guess (really, only a guess) is that we may see the platform on a future Heavy Duty truck. Time will tell.
After you read the “Member2Member” column you might be convinced to call a professional for those pesky windshield cracks.
Is there an “ounce of prevention” for windshield cracks? Scott Dalgleish tries out a new product in “Back in the Saddle.”
Does your Third Generation truck need new headlights? Moses Ludel covers an option that you may wish to consider in “The Long Haul.”
How long do the OEM batteries last in a Ram Turbo Diesel? I got 2.5 years on mine, Moses got 13 years on the batteries in his 2005 Ram. James Langan shares his experiences with batteries in “Still Plays with Trucks.”
TDR’s Andy Redmond was busy repairing a 2001 Turbo Diesel truck. Andy makes Turbo Diesel repairs look easy.
TDR writers Joe Donnelly and Stan Gozzi tackle loose nuts/hot nuts in their columns. Oops, you already knew that...
Another oops…In this issue we have further coverage (BITW) on the EPA versus diesel performance vendors. From the VW scandal and the diesel smoke cowboys it is no wonder diesel power is not held in a favorable light by the public.
That’s all. I’m hopeful you’ll enjoy Issue 120 of the TDR. As always, thank you for your support.
RP
The postal service has already delivered our copy at the TDR office and at several members’ home locations. It’s nice to be a little ahead of schedule.
What are the topics of interest for Issue 120?
Turning to the written summary on page 5… Ouch, the first thing that catches my eye is a throw-back to the “killer ‘dowl’ pin.” Dowl, one of these days I’ll learn how to effectively use smell check.
Moving on, the dowel pin discussion was a lead-in to today’s service and parts concerns. Here is a summary of Issue 120’s topics.
It wasn’t too long ago, that the 2019-2020 owners were advised that their CP4.1 injection pumps would be retrofitted with a CP3 design. Wow, this will be an expensive recall for Ram/Cummins.
So, what is new to be concerned about?
Grid heater nuts getting too hot (the grid heater does not turn off) or too loose over time and the nut dropping into the engine and causing a major problem.
The solution: There was (is) a “stop sale” of new 2023 trucks. There is a recall for 2021-2023 trucks for a relay (or is it wiring problem) that causes the heater to stay on too long. For those 2007.5-2020 owners (warranty expired?) that are concerned with hot or loose nuts, take a look at the Joe Donnelly and Stan Gozzi articles in this issue. I’m not sure we (TDR members) have a consensus on a solution or work-around.
The population of 6.7-liter engines (since 2007.5) is somewhere in the neighborhood of 1.8-1.9 million engines…No doubt, if you’ve had the problem, it is a big deal. Really, my sympathy. These problems should not occur. Then, again, it’s a 1.8-1.9 million population... Stay tuned for more dialog.
Cheating: If you want a sensational reaction, this word ranks right up there with “fire” in its ability to capture attention. Our “TDReview” column has a book review on the Volkswagen diesel scandal and there is a lot of cheating to discuss. Hey, there is even mention of the folks at Cummins from back in the late 1990s.
Do you know what “acoustic function” means. A rose by any other name would be pilot injection or, in the case of the VW group, cheating. Yes, you’ll want to read our “TDReview” column.
In the “BITW” column you’ll note the discussion on two new phrases/acronyms: Sustainable liquid fuels and medium and heavy-duty vehicles (MHDV). A rose by any other name would be biodiesel and class 2500-5500 trucks.
There is mention of biodiesel (oops, sustainable liquid fuels) in the “BITW” column. It is coincidental that in our Issue 80 magazine we had a two-page article on biodiesel (oops, sustainable liquid fuels). Since the topic is still relevant today, I asked TDR writer John Martin to give us a 10-year update. You’ll see his report in “The Way We Were” column.
There are some interesting stories from TDR members Scott Gress and Andrew Blomdal in our “EcoDiesel” and “First Generation” columns. Do you have a story to tell? Send ‘em in!
In Greg Whale’s column he evaluates Jeep’s Wrangler 4xe Hybrid. You’ll want to take note of the 4xe platform. My guess (really, only a guess) is that we may see the platform on a future Heavy Duty truck. Time will tell.
After you read the “Member2Member” column you might be convinced to call a professional for those pesky windshield cracks.
Is there an “ounce of prevention” for windshield cracks? Scott Dalgleish tries out a new product in “Back in the Saddle.”
Does your Third Generation truck need new headlights? Moses Ludel covers an option that you may wish to consider in “The Long Haul.”
How long do the OEM batteries last in a Ram Turbo Diesel? I got 2.5 years on mine, Moses got 13 years on the batteries in his 2005 Ram. James Langan shares his experiences with batteries in “Still Plays with Trucks.”
TDR’s Andy Redmond was busy repairing a 2001 Turbo Diesel truck. Andy makes Turbo Diesel repairs look easy.
TDR writers Joe Donnelly and Stan Gozzi tackle loose nuts/hot nuts in their columns. Oops, you already knew that...
Another oops…In this issue we have further coverage (BITW) on the EPA versus diesel performance vendors. From the VW scandal and the diesel smoke cowboys it is no wonder diesel power is not held in a favorable light by the public.
That’s all. I’m hopeful you’ll enjoy Issue 120 of the TDR. As always, thank you for your support.
RP
