Engine/Transmission (1994 - 1998) One crispy engine

[Gary - K7GLD]

I'm hanging on the Blown head gasket theory.



YUP, that ONE weak item I was referring to up above - and all it might take is that one... Weak headgaskets HAVE been a long-standing issue with the Cummins - do a search on "head gasket", and sit back for a LONG evening of reading!



(EDIT)



I just did a search on "head gasket" that term is used in thread heads 93 times, or 93 separate threads involving head gaskets - when searching ENTIRE threads, both header and body - such as a guy posts about a strange engine problem, and someone suggests a "blown head gasket", THAT search turned up in excess if *1300* cases.



They don't all fail catastrophically - but they DO fail often enough, and usually when highly stressed.

 

[Gary - K7GLD]

I'd hear about a crappy reputation the HO Cummins has among RVers if it's melting down left and right.



WEll, no one claims they are failing "left and right", only that they DO fail, and are more likely to do so when consistently operated at the ragged edge of engine tolerances. *I* personally do NOT know that the majority of random RV or other heavy-duty users are pushing their EGT at or above 1300 - hell, if THEY don't know it's happening regularly, how can any of us profess to know more than the owner?



Maybe a BETTER question is, how many members HERE regularly see 1300 degrees or above pre-turbo in EXTENDED towing situations - those 5 miles or more in length, or perhaps 5-10 minutes at a time...

 

[John - K5AWO]

An example of the neophyte driven rig would be my truck. When I purchased it, there were 87,505 miles on the clock. I am the 4th owner, the truck had a 5th wheel, a gooseneck and a 10K receiver hitch on it. Also a Transfer Flow 50 gallon tank is installed.



No indications of mods anywhere other than a K&N air cleaner and a comment on the repair ticket when it was in Make Ready for me to take home. The mechanic stated that he had removed a non Mopar turbo boost controller and installed a factory controller.



I have always wondered what that non-factory controller was. But I hadn't paid the sales ticket yet, so had no authority over how the truck was made ready for sale.



In any event, the truck runs great. Gets average of 16 mpg so far. No history on previous repairs/mods, etc...



But with all the hitches and big fuel tank..... plus the fact that CarFax claims it traveled 43,000 miles between two titles in 11 months!!



It had to have gone over at least one or more big hills with a big load. And that with no guages ever installed.

 

[Gary - K7GLD]

I have always wondered what that non-factory controller was.



I'm even MORE curious as to what the FACTORY controller was - unless they were simply referring to returning it to stock...

 

[BSowers]

Oo. Oo. Oo. Oo.

Harvey & crew are Da men. (Jessie too) J & H Performance

My truck will be ready this week/today.

I now have a transplant engine with KDP taken care of, valve adjust, new starter brushes, new pan and cover gaskets, a transmission service, rodded radiator, 3kGSK, DD torque plate and a lost kitty, (hmmmmmm musta run away).

The kitty, original from 97), seems to have had constipation and contributed to the demise/failure of engine... . ie: back pressure. I think it left in search of a kitty box.

If you want performance upgrades,(or IF you're in northern Ca when you have truck problems like me), it's worth the drive to Redding. Takes me 3. 25hrs from San Francisco east bay to get there sans any bears.

Brian



late 97 2500 4x4 CC LB 210k Super Stop rotors, Rancho 9000's, SPA Pyro/Boost, White Knight Bk/up lite, Parking partner, running on Biodiesel.

Transplant will have DD C201 cam kit, 3kGSK, J&H intake, KDP tab.

 

[HoleshotHolset]

"... seems to have had constipation and contributed to the demise/failure of engine... "



I always knew there were justified reasons for hating cats...



Matt

 

[Texas Diesel]

Originally posted by BSowers

The kitty, original from 97), seems to have had constipation and contributed to the demise/failure of engine... . ie: back pressure.

That is the number on reason I had my kitty removed from my 98 12V. CAT's are the stupidist thing ever put on a piston engine. I take them off everything I own (gas engines included) and have never had a problem.



Others with kitties still installed need to read this and get that POS off of their trucks.

 

[Bseg]

Brian, how many miles were on your engine when it went?



Curious cause I'm getting ready to let the dog take care of the kitty.



Also, if you don't mind, what did the whole replacement cost, parts + labor?

 

[BSowers]

Check Sig. Call the animal control. I sense a ferral cat. $$$? around 5



Brian



late 97 2500 4x4 CC LB 210k Super Stop rotors, Rancho 9000's, SPA Pyro/Boost, White Knight Bk/up lite, Parking partner, running on Biodiesel.

Transplant will have DD C201 cam kit, 3kGSK, J&H intake, KDP tab.

 

[BSowers]

Hi yo Silver, Dem horses move this sled now... . even with the camper fully loaded on it. Now I don't have to put my foot into it to get a move on... . unless of course I want to

 

[Texas Diesel]

Originally posted by John - K5AWO

The mechanic stated that he had removed a non Mopar turbo boost controller and installed a factory controller.



I have always wondered what that non-factory controller was.

Boost elbow?