Engine/Transmission (1998.5 - 2002) Killer Dowel Pin

[Paulsdodge]

Okay guys another question,



Does the 2001 24 valve have the killer dowel pin trouble or is this just common in the 12 valver engine. Is there anything I can do to prevent this from becoming a problem ?



Thanks...

 

[Chipstien]

I belive they fixed it in the late 90's. Somebody else will know for sure.

 

[78repowerwagon]

All 24 valves should be ok but IMO all up to and including 99 model should have it done. They kept using that block untill they were all gone and some went in 99's

 

[Steve St.Laurent]

I agree with the above statement except that not all 24 valves are ok. Like he said sometime early in the 99 model year it was fixed. My 98. 5 24v was susceptable to it so I did the KDP jig fix. I have seen some front covers off of 99's that would be susceptable to it as well and some that aren't.

 

[WDaniels]

The gear case was modified in 98. 5 to add a stepped hole just in case the pin started to dislodge but cummins used up what old cases they still had on the 98. 5 and some 99 models first. You would have to remove the cover and inspect the KDP hole to see if yours is modified or not.

WD

 

[Ncostello]

!!!!!!...You gotta be kiddin me...!!!!!

One of the things that made me decide to get a 24V truck instead of a 12V was the lack of the killer dowell pin! And as my luck would have it, I bought a 1999 made in November of 1998. Now I got one more thing to worry about!!! Holy Crud!! This truck makes me feel like Charlie Brown. I've been working on this thing so much already, people at work make fun of me, asking me what about all that durability and reliability I was bragging about on Cummins Dodges.



Oh well, I will press on, repair and check what I have to. I still like my truck.

 

[TNT]

KDP fix

What's the fix for the KDP? Are there instructions on-line? I have a 98. 5 that is just about out of warranty, and I'd like to correct this potential problem.

 

[VicR]

TNT - go to the 2nd generation 12 valve forum. There are a few 'sticky' topics on it right at the tope.



Any word on what engine seriel numbers are safe from this problem?



-Vic

 

[rmrc]

KDP

BTT,



Just wanted to refresh this topic. I'd also like to know if there is a list of serial numbers that indicate what engines should be inspected.

 

[Ncostello]

10-4 to that.

Does the revised front cover (if thats what fixed it) have a certain part number that would prevent unnecessary teardown. If it does, its probably on the inside of the cover.



Does giving the serial number to Cummins allow them to tell me "yes (or no) you have the good (bad) cover to stop the pin from falling out".

 

[B9Mile]

A couple of years ago, I purchased one of those Cummins Customized Parts Catalogues, which are based on your engine serial#.



Earlier this year I e-mailed Cummins with the gear case's part# and asked if the alignment pin's engagement hole was a through hole design, or was it stepped.



You guessed it. . . . . all I got from them for a response was the usual ". . . . in early 1998, the gear case design was changed. . . "



Gee that was a BIG help!!! My engine's build date is 07 FEB 98. I didn't threaten to sue anybody, I just needed to know if the dowel pin needed some attention.



So, I stopped in at the Billings branch of Cummins Rocky Mtn one day as I was passing through town and gave the parts guy the part number for the gear case. He didn't have any in stock, but he did say that the part# was still a good one WITHOUT ANY REVISIONS!!



Hmmm, 4-1/2 years without a revision. . . . . I guess that COULD mean this part# is the redesigned one.



Sometime when I'm in Portland I'll stop in at Cummins NW and see if they have a gear case in stock, or see if they can give me a little more info.



The part # for the gear case on my engine is 3943380. Maybe this will help someone track down the real story.

 

[illflem]

I'll bet they changed the case design without changing the part number. Part of Cummins on going effort to deny guilt in the problem. Only real way to find out is to remove the cover. Jig fix is a cheap, easy insurance that works with either case.