Engine/Transmission (1998.5 - 2002) Need to VENT!!! 53 saga

[hammersley]

Where are these cracking-----

Anybody have any photos????? I mean can you have a weep and not really know? I remember what Vaughn MacKenzie said as being true as well... ... Mine has 193,000 and no crack as yet... . unless I'm looking at the wrong place... ...

 

[brianMo]

Stameys weblink about covers what a weeping block looks like. You will get the residue from the leakage. Check out the link. http://www.stamey.nu/Truck/Cummins53BlockFAQ.htm

I feel a little better today. Better nights sleep. DaveC sent me a name of a Cummins employee out in Phonix. I spoke with him for probably 20 minutes yesterday. He is looking for a non-53 block for me. He gets blocks all the time for other reasons. He said that the 1k Cummins gives you will work anywhere you want to take it. This is bit more comforting. It is feasible to either do it myself, or find a less expensive mechanic. Anyone know of somebody within a 300 mile radius of KC, Missouri?

Also... this makes me a bit skeptical, he said with the low miles 112k I probably do not need use new rings and bearings. He said a good mechanic can do this job in about 2 days. Sound feasible? A used block with the right crank and 16 hours of labor taking off the old and putting on the new. It will not be nearly as expensive as I thought. Is this possible? Anyway I wonder what my time line is for using this 1k they are offering. I will give them a call and find out. Also this is happening more frequently then you think. He told me he gets about 1 a month. That is just one location!



Thanks,



Brian

Missouri

 

[DPelletier]

That muggyweld article said that the cracks are caused by cavitation. Is that true? If so, would it help to use a coolant that reduces this such as fleetgaurd compleat?

No, the Cummins engine is not susceptable to cavity corrosion (unlike a Ford 7. 3 PSD for example). The crack is caused by an overly thin casting (in that area) and flexing of the block from what we have been told.



I feel bad for anyone with the 53 block cracking problem. Because things eat away at me, I'd likely trade or sell a truck with the 53 before it became an issue. If I had a cracked one, I'd likely repair it (if possible) and then trade the truck in. If you do a search, there are several methods of repair. Some of them sound like they'd work pretty good. Keep in mind that it is just a crack in the coolant passage and not a structural crack. If you do replace the block, then the problem is fixed forever and you should be good for the next half a million miles or so.



I don't blame anyone for being upset with DC or Cummins. In fact, I don't think the 53 issue should be considered a warranty issue at all; it should be considered a "latent defect" in the product, one that the consumer could not possible have been aware of and one that should be rectified by the manufacturer regardless of time or mileage. I own a construction company and we warranty our projects for one year, BUT if we failed to comply with the specifications and a problem is discovered 25years from now, I'd still be liable for fixing a latent defect in the work. The cracking is not caused by regular wear, it is a defect in the engine block. Period. IMO, Cummins should offer you a brand new block, bearings, rings and gaskets at a minimum.



On a different note, I could not bring myself to buy a Ford or Chevy diesel. The Ford because of the engine and the chevy because of the truck. I would only buy either a Dodge Cummins or a Ford gasser. But that's just me.



Sorry for the long post,

Dave