What is a guy to do?

[Jdorfmeyer]

Hello All,



The truck in my signature has 95,000 miles and I am wanting opinions on what to do. This truck has been a great truck and runs great but I am afraid of future repair bills such as injectors and transmission issues. This truck is my first automatic and I am the second owner. I purchased the truck 2 1/2 years ago with 60K. I don't know if I should just continue to drive it or try to take preventative measures like removing my injectors and having them tested? Transmission seems to be shifting good as always and I have done fluid and band adjustments so transmission may last for 150K or so. I don't have the money to purchase a new truck now but could sell this truck for some pretty good money and just purchase a used gas or older diesel. I love the mega cab and the last time I went back to a gas pickup I couldn't stand it but maybe the newer ones are improved. It would also be hard to go away from the Laramie trim with all the bells and whistles. Should I be afraid that one of my injectors will stick open and ruin my engine? I don't pull much anymore but when I do I like to have the power of a diesel. Thanks

 

[HBarlow]

If you want a little peace of mind take it to a dealer. IF the dealer has a genuine trained and certified Cummins tech he can perform an engine performance test using the dealer's Dodge software. The test will cost you about 1 1/2 hrs. of shop labor and will measure each cylinder and each injector's contribution to total power output at various engine rpm. Maybe one of our resident Cummins dealer techs can explain with more information and better detail.

Another alternative is a six pack of new Cummins reman injectors for about $1800.

My '06 was running strong at 230k miles when I sold it with original injectors. Only part replaced was an FCA which was about $135 IIRC.

Drive your truck with confidence. The Cummins, with normal service of fluids and filters, is a reliable million mile engine.

 

[EGroeneveld]

Just keep driving it while doing the needed maintenance. A 2006 with less then 100k miles is just getting started.

 

[Jdorfmeyer]

Thanks Harvey, I think I let the posts about injector issues get to me to much. I forgot to mention in my original post that this truck had a new long block installed under warranty prior to me owning it at 53,000 miles due to a bad injector washing down the cylinder. I don't think a new long block includes new injectors but they did replace the#6 injector prior to the engine replacement according to the warranty service history that I had my local dealership run for me. When I had my 01 I worried about the VP-44 and had to replace it once. On my 97 prior to the 01 I don't remember what I worried about but I wouldn't want to go back to driving a 97 either. I need 4 true doors since my two boys aren't getting any shorter.

 

[JMetzger]

I agree with Harvey. If you take care of it & don't beat it up & use it like a pick up is suppose to be used it will last a long time. Cummins is one he__ of a engine.

 

[jelag]

I have a group of these trucks... I have extra filtration on my fuel systems... 10 micron and 2 micron filters... we've yet to put an injector into a Cummins... we run them 500K miles and sell them... they've been great for us...

I've had to do a transmission in the 04 after 250K towing a 20K trailer... I used to tell the guys here that I've never driven that truck through a tank of fuel when the truck wasn't loaded... .

But all my trucks are stock... and are work trucks... Hope this helps. .

 

[Crunch]

My `03 has topped 162,000 miles and I have had no problems with the transmission or injectors. I pull 12,000lbs. and haul 3,000lbs. several times a year. I also use Power Service or Howes religiously if I fill up more than 1/2 tank. I don't know about the `06 Cummins engine, but if I remember correctly, the 5. 9ISB has a duty cycle of 350,000 miles, which is longer than the truck should last at the rate I am driving it. When the wheels fall off the truck I will probably look at putting the engine in a generator for when the $%^# hits the fan and society collapses. A friend of mine has a generator powered by a large block Ford gasser engine, and that generator can supposedly power an entire suburban block of homes. The Cummins has to do at least that well. I say hang on to it, and if you have to get rid of it, yank the engine and sell the truck to a guy who wants a Mega Cab but would prefer a 5. 9, which is definitely the better of the two engines.

 

[NavyDood]

Your truck isn't even broke in yet. Keep up with the regular maintenance and she will treat you very well for many more hundreds of thousands of miles.

 

[sag2]

Change the fuel filter regularly, drain the canister every so often and drive it with confidence.

 

[rbattelle]

Thanks Harvey, I think I let the posts about injector issues get to me to much.

I think you may be suffering TDR-itis. A common condition caused by reading too many TDR horror stories. Symptoms may include broken parts paranoia, a feeling that something is going to break/explode/catch fire at any moment, insomnia, and an urge to add power, fuel filters, or other accessories to your truck.

Alas, there is no known cure. Paradoxically, the TDR itself is basically a support group for people suffering from the disease it created.

Change the fuel filter regularly, drain the canister every so often and drive it with confidence.

Amen.

-Ryan

 

[Jdorfmeyer]

Thanks guys, yeah I think reading all the horror stories gets to me. I will try not to let it bother me and just take care of my truck and hope for the best. Take care,

 

[mwilson]

Alas, there is no known cure. Paradoxically, the TDR itself is basically a support group for people suffering from the disease it created.





I am amazed at the above explanation of my symptoms, I feel I have climbed the mountain and met with the prophet... ... :-laf



Now Ryan, explain it to my long suffering wife... ... ... Oo.



Nice job!

Mike.

 

[rbattelle]

Now Ryan, explain it to my long suffering wife.

I'm the wrong guy to ask about that. I'm already struggling with the knowledge that eventually my "shop" will consume the half of the garage in which she currently parks, at which point she'll leave me for a rocket mechanic from Toledo or some such.



-Ryan