Engine/Transmission (1998.5 - 2002) Need information on good Cummins repair facility in Souhtwest Florida

[roundabout]

Can anyone give me the name of a good, trustworthy shop for work on my truck, 1998 1/2 24 valve. My slow to start and hard cranking problems are past my abilities to fix. I live in Punta Gorda, Charlotte county north of Ft Myers.

 

[CharlieFoxtrot]

Does a 24V have a fuel heater/strainer? Think about deleting the heater before you go for professional help.

It's a long drive for you, but if you don't get a better recommendation at home, I can't say enough good things about King's Auto Service in Bradenton. They do all the work on my 5 school busses, a motor coach, and ~18 gas-burning vehicles at my job. They've probably done $75K+ in repairs for me in the last year and have been correct in their diagnosis and repair in all cases but one. And that one was pretty wacky - a piece of plastic wrap had gotten inside the engine and blocked an oil passage... 941-812-4900 Tell them Kevin from IMG sent you.

$75K in repairs: the fleet is pretty old, the company had neglected it terribly and the previous mechanics my employers used before I got here left a lot to be desired. There was a LOT of fixing needed!! In my 30 years professional experience in auto repair, auto manufacturing, and fleet management, I have found VERY, VERY FEW totally trustworthy & capable shops. Kings is one of them.

 

[Cosmo]

Have you replaced your starter in the last few years?

My 12 valve started having issues cranking over and I thought it was battery related, but it was just my starter - full of diesel, blow-by, dirt, and a bunch of whatever from a decade or more.

 

[HBarlow]

A Cummins dealer should be expert on Cummins engine repairs but their ability to diagnose a Cummins engine problem in a Dodge platform is limited because they don't have the Dodge version of the Cummins 5. 9 software or a Dodge service bay computer to diagnose.

A Cummins dealer is very likely to sell you a set of new injectors then a new VP-44 injection pump.

I know nothing about the shop recommended by CF above but sometimes a good Dodge dealer service department is the best choice for starting or driveability issues for a Cummins engine in a Dodge. The challenge is in finding a good Dodge service department. Many of them are not.

 

[roundabout]

I want to thank everyone for the replies, as it turns out it was the starter. I replaced the starter and the truck is back to normal (batteries are almost new and checked out fine. ). As for the information on Kings Auto Service in Bradenton, I will keep the information for future needs as the truck get older I am sure I will need their services.