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For those who have never heard the "clunk" of the gid heater, here's something to try out: if it's cold enough for the wait-to-start light, get in the driver's seat, buckle up right away to avoid the buzzer/chime, then turn the key to On, (but not Start). Lower your window while the WTS light is on. When it goes out, you will hear an audible "thunk" from the hood/engine area - cycle the heater again by turning the key to Off, then On, and you will hear the heater thunk again when the WTS light goes out.
Just like the whine of the turbo, I'd be concerned f I didn't hear it!
kcram
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95% of my miles are with 12,000#-16,000# behind it though, so I'm not skipping gears too often. Shifts excellent with a load on and I've never had a problem with the transition from 6th to 5th for pulling the bigger hills. Our horse trainer drives the truck alot also and he says it shifts and drives better than any manual tranny truck he's driven, and he's driven a lot of them too.
According to the owners manual, when you start the engine it's suppose to have a higher idle (1000rpm) when it's cold (below 63degrees). I have had the grid warmer kicking in, but the idle stays the same, around 700rpm.
Is this normal operation for the Cummins?
thanks
why didn't they hook up the mobile computer to your truck and let you drive it around for awhile??
I agree that the crankshaft position sensor could do this -- my son's '91 went through a period of this and that's what appears to have cured it. However, I disagree that the sensor could be the only cause.
I heard of one other malady from a co-worker, one that would cause me to think twice about a drive-by-wire system. He's had one experience where he stopped, backed into a driveway, then when he put it in drive and stepped on the accelerator pedal it just stayed at idle. He released his foot pressure from the pedal, stepped on it again and she was fine. Hasn't done it since.
One nice thing about my 4.7, the old fashioned cable-operated throttle body allows me complete control. I hear its hard to get the tires to spin on a hemi RAM. Not that I'd want to do that, but for some it takes the rush out of owning a Hemi!!!
Regards,
Dusty
A: Good question. I posed your exact question to the service rep. Their response was that these computers were $5K apiece, they only had four and were in constant use by their mechanics. They were not about to let one out of their sight. There's gotta be an opportunity for an enterpreneur to come up with a "take home" computer for this very application--make it multi-make, multi-model, maybe. Am I dreaming here? The more complicated these rascals get, the more the need for this kind of unit.
I have seen an ad on television for a device that one can use to change timing, air-fuel ratios, shift points, etc. These are sold by type of vehicle, i.e.: Dodge, Ford, GM, etc. I do not know if they are a diagnostic tool as well. I think the price I remember is $129. Our local Advantage Auto Parts store carries a similar device as well.
Regards,
Dusty
Truck will primarily be used for hauling building materials, with only occasional, light towing.
Thanks,
rboulder
Dodge manuals are manufactured by New Process Gear.
Best regards,
Dusty
Our 99 Ram 3500 V10 is an auto, wish it was a manual trans though, oh well, can't be too choosy when in despirate need for a truck. Of course now that we bought it the Chevy is behaving.
rboulder
fyi...dodge is going to announce some big changes to the diesel lineup in january. a very good "source" over at allpar.com said it is coming. and when this guy speaks, people need to listen. anyway, supposedly the cummins is getting bumped up to 325hp/600lb-ft. also, a new automatic tranny is gonna be offered. details about tranny are sketchy but it might be an EATON unit...stay tuned...
I have an '01 with the std. output and the automatic with about 135k miles on it. Bought an '03 HO six-speed in April and now have about 28k miles on it. They are completely different animals. The '03 is very nice, quiet, smoother power, etc. The '01 doesn't have near the oomph of the newer HO. And the difference between that old 4-speed auto with a clumsy shifting program and the slick-shifting six-speed is tremendous.
You might want to hang-on for awhile as there's been a rumor of a new Cummins engine coming early next year. I'll put money on it meeting California emissions and it's rumored to be a 330hp and 600lb-ft motor.
Or you could go shopping for a used '03 Ram in another state. I think you can register it in Cali once it has 7,000 or so miles on it.
Anyone have some experience in the rebuild route? I would be first concerned with a shop I could trust. How about factory engines? With labor costs so high now, would a pull and replace be cost effective? Has this analysis already prompted the decision to just buy a new truck?
Diesels are something different. Big trucks do get rebuilt motors, but again the economics favor rebuilding one on a big rig. I can't say I have heard of a LDPU diesel being rebuilt in a long, long time. The last one I remember being somewhat common was GM's gas-to-diesel engine that they used in the '70s and '80s. I know of a number of Dodge Cummins that have better than 300,000 miles. There's one around here with over 400,000. Even valve jobs don't seem common on them.
A LDPU diesel owner must always weigh the cost of major motor repairs versus keeping the rest of the truck going. I have seen used Dodge diesels go for $5000 that would only be a $1500 truck if it were gas.
Regards,
Dusty
I've seen several Dodge Rams with Cummins go 800k-1 Million miles before an overhaul. Most of these owners are very careful about their trucks and do plenty of preventative maintenance. Cummins rates them for 300kmiles before an overhaul, and that's assuming they're being used as intended (towing, hauling, working, etc.). I can't see why 500k miles isn't fairly standard for how many folks use these trucks (mixed towing with lots of empty miles). Except most folks don't drive that many miles or if they do keep the trucks that long.
Personally beyond just wanting a new truck, 210k miles shouldn't be anything to worry much about. My uncles '97 Ram has 310k miles on it and it's a 360 gasser. Had the tranny and most ancilliary parts replaced, but the motor is still stock and running good. I've driven it and you can certainly tell it's been taken care of. Still drives straight, solid, very few rattles, etc. I've been in abused trucks with 50k miles in much worse shape/running condition.
The newest 5.9L Cummins is still nearly the same motor as what you have. They've done some power boosting (which isn't hard with a diesel) and also added some additional piston cooling to go along with those power enhancements. They've also gone to a common-rail fuel delivery which takes the sound level down to nearly gas engine quietness, at least at idle. If both my V8 Tahoe and '03 Ram are idling in the drive, from the back I can here the GM "glug-glug" over the Cummins. You know how noisey the '01 is so I don't even need to comment on that. I can actually go through a fast-food drivethru without shutting the '03 down to order food, LOL!
Out on the highway however, I don't find the '01 real noisey, and the '03 isn't much different. Granted I'm running 4:10's so my revs are a bit higher at highway speeds, so I would imagine one with 3.73's is probably a bit quieter out on the road.
I've not heard of any problems with the newer diesels. I've had zero issues with mine (truck included). It's on a run out west right now and I imagine when they get back tomorrow it will have over 30k miles on it. And about 90% of those miles is towing at the very least 12,000#. Nothing but oil changes and a tire rotation.
Also, I've been considering switching oil to AMSOIL synthetic. Any tips on the interval on oil changes here?
Thanks for the help
As for Amsoil, well that's really up to you. IMHO it isn't much if any better than other synthetics unless you want to really extend your drain periods (which likely will void your warranty). I was given a case of it and ran it through my VW Jetta diesel for two oil changes (20k miles, per book) and I had tests performed. For the most part, my wear metals were all compareable to the Delvac 1 I've always run at the same intervals. The detergent/additive levels may be better and with a filter change I could possibly go 20k miles on the same oil, but if I have to change the filter I might as well drop the oil as well. Plus Amsoil has to be shipped to me and it's quite a bit more expensive than the Delvac 1 so I choose not to run it. These Cummins motors will see 300k miles on conventional oil without problems, I really only run the synthetic for the turbo anyway.
thanks
Still the same 5.9L straight six, 50-state legal emissions for you folks in Calif and New England, and a class leading rating of
325 hp @ 2900 rpm
600 lb-ft @ 1600 rpm
The engine will be backed by a factory 7-year 100,000-mile powertrain warranty, something Ford and GM have not touched. Today's press release did not mention what emissions system is used, but it will either be cooled EGR or an advanced cat-con system. Option proice rises just $135 to $5360.
Let the Tim Allen imitations begin...
kcram
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Smart Shopper and FWI Message Boards
I changed over a Blazer at 100k, drove another 14k with no trouble. Did a Jeep at 50k, drove to 78k with no trouble.
We fully intend on switching our 99 Ram 3500 V10 to synthetic, its got about 12k on it, will switch at 15k (next oil change). I personally use Amsoil, but its all a matter of personal preference, I like it better than Mobil 1.
This is incorrect. Both Ford and GM have always offered a 100k warranty on the engines. They just don't advertise it.. My friend has a 2500 Chevy with Duramax Diesel and was unaware of it until I showed it to him in the owner's manual, as we were going to the dealership because the tranny was failing at 45k. (Numerous other owners having automatic tranny problems with GM Diesels). Luckily, he had an extended warranty.
They're just too darn expensive and don't offer a manual transmission.
04 2500 Quad Cab 4x4 HO Cummins, 6 spd. Goin' deer hunting in South Texas this weekend. Maybe will get to use the 4x4 !
Anyone have the following problem? When using the windshield washers with the vent blowing outside air, you get a strong windshield solution smell directly in the face?
thanks.
Okay, my bust. But couldn't find a dealer that had one in stock! They always order them with automatics...:(
My father in-law's Bonneville and my wife's Toyota Avalon have aluminium-clad wheels and they are just about junk. Dodge seems to be using a better clad wheel than most.
Regards,
Dusty
P.S. - Any recommendations on the best place to buy it in bulk?
I have started using Rotella in some older (1971 and 1972)Ford diesel farm tractors, and a friend with a Dodge 2500 with Cummins diesel is also apparently using it.
Our tractors use 8 quarts at a refill so I buy it by the case of six in gallon jugs. Makes a change much simpler--drain, change the oil filter, dump in two gallons, start, check for leaks. Best price I've found thus far was Sam's Club. The one I use also sells it in 55 gallon drums if you prefer.
Regards,
Dusty
Cummins recommends a 15w40 fleet oil like Rotella, Delo400 or any other fleet 15w40 that meets their specs.
Dodge's maintenance guide recommends
10w30 -10 degF to 0 degF with block heater
5w30 synthetic -10 degF to 0degF without block heater
10W30 0 degF to 30 degF or above
15w40 10 degF and above
One thing that Cummins does specify is that the oil be rated for diesels.
any other thoughts on the '04 cummins wud be appreciated. am looking to buy one of the three this month. I pull abt 10K lbs of 5th wheel.