Attention: TDR Forum Junkies Since I am a new '99 2500 owner, and upon reading about the problems these rigs can have, I decided to get a bumper to bumper warranty.
Not wanting to deal with the usual tricks wty companies do, I grilled the rep about all the fine print. Once I felt comfortable about the product, I asked him if the block would be covered in the event of a crack. He contacted the claims adjuster who told him it would be covered so long as it was not due to corrosion. The adjuster more or less knew about the 53 block issue. He commented that it is such a small percentage that actually crack that their were willing to wty my truck, which surprised me. The only way they will pay a claim on such a failure, however, is if I continue to get the anti-freeze serviced per manufacturer specs. He went on to say that something in the a-freeze in diesels causes some sort of acidic reaction which then breaks down the fluid, which then enhances the possibility of corrosion. I then asked him would the wty company try to get out of a claim by using the corrosion excuse unfairly? He said they would only justify the corrosion excuse once I had a chance to personally view the corrosion in engine myself, once it was opened up. I am not sure if this adjuster knows what he is talking about but they did reassure me if the block cracks due to manufacturers defect they will pay to repair or replace it, so I ordered the wty. If an injector pump goes it will pay for the wty and I will be covered for all else so why not buy it, eh?
In a nutshell, he stated that the blocks that crack due to internal corrosion, are occuring becuase the owners did not change out the anti-freeze frequently and with the manufacturer specified fluid. Whether this internal corrosion is a seperate issue with regards to the block cracking or the source of the cracking is something I don't think this adjuster knows the answer to.
Take it for what it's worth, gentleman. Hopefully this knowledge can slow the process of cracking blocks for even one owner. I am not sure how credible the advice is but so long as they warranty my claim in the event of a block crack, I'll change my a-freeze per their recommendations.
BTW: I called my local diesel shop to get a pillar guage set installed. They told me one of their customers had a 53 block, it cracked. On the theory that lightning can't strike twice, he bought another 53 block, it also cracked. This leads me to believe that perhaps this cracking thing happens a lot more than the 53 block owners are willing to admit.
Once again, I wish I knew about the 53 block before I bought the truck, but if I can get another 4 years out of her without a crack, I'll be happy in the end. It sure is nice not to have a truck payment.
Not wanting to deal with the usual tricks wty companies do, I grilled the rep about all the fine print. Once I felt comfortable about the product, I asked him if the block would be covered in the event of a crack. He contacted the claims adjuster who told him it would be covered so long as it was not due to corrosion. The adjuster more or less knew about the 53 block issue. He commented that it is such a small percentage that actually crack that their were willing to wty my truck, which surprised me. The only way they will pay a claim on such a failure, however, is if I continue to get the anti-freeze serviced per manufacturer specs. He went on to say that something in the a-freeze in diesels causes some sort of acidic reaction which then breaks down the fluid, which then enhances the possibility of corrosion. I then asked him would the wty company try to get out of a claim by using the corrosion excuse unfairly? He said they would only justify the corrosion excuse once I had a chance to personally view the corrosion in engine myself, once it was opened up. I am not sure if this adjuster knows what he is talking about but they did reassure me if the block cracks due to manufacturers defect they will pay to repair or replace it, so I ordered the wty. If an injector pump goes it will pay for the wty and I will be covered for all else so why not buy it, eh?
In a nutshell, he stated that the blocks that crack due to internal corrosion, are occuring becuase the owners did not change out the anti-freeze frequently and with the manufacturer specified fluid. Whether this internal corrosion is a seperate issue with regards to the block cracking or the source of the cracking is something I don't think this adjuster knows the answer to.
Take it for what it's worth, gentleman. Hopefully this knowledge can slow the process of cracking blocks for even one owner. I am not sure how credible the advice is but so long as they warranty my claim in the event of a block crack, I'll change my a-freeze per their recommendations.
BTW: I called my local diesel shop to get a pillar guage set installed. They told me one of their customers had a 53 block, it cracked. On the theory that lightning can't strike twice, he bought another 53 block, it also cracked. This leads me to believe that perhaps this cracking thing happens a lot more than the 53 block owners are willing to admit.
Once again, I wish I knew about the 53 block before I bought the truck, but if I can get another 4 years out of her without a crack, I'll be happy in the end. It sure is nice not to have a truck payment.
