CUMMINS INC. – DIESEL ENGINE SERVICE FOR CUMMINS DIESEL ENGINES IN DODGE RAM HD PICKUP TRUCKS & COMMERCIAL MEDIUM & HEAVY DUTY TRUCKS

Dodge RAM With Cummins B-series 5.9 Liter & 6.7 Liter Diesel Truck Engine Problems, Solutions, Repair & Maintenance Service

Cummins Diesel Model ISB Series, B6.7, ISC Series, ISL Series, L9, ISM Series, M11, ISV Series, ISV5.0, ISX Series, ISX12 Series, ISX15 Series, X12 Series, X15 Series & Legacy Model L10, N14, NT Series, NT855 Big Cam, NTC400 Big Cam Engine Problems, Solutions, Repair & Maintenance Service

Cummins Automotive & Diesel Service repairs, maintains, rebuilds, and overhauls all Cummins diesel engines designed for medium duty pickup trucks, heavy duty pickup trucks, medium duty commercial trucks, and heavy duty commercial trucks. Cummins Automotive & Diesel Service also provides performance upgrade service for Cummins medium and heavy duty diesel truck engines.

Cummins 5.9 & 6.7 Dodge RAM Pickup Truck Diesel Engines

Cummins Performance Improvements Timeline

1989: First Cummins 5.9 Liter in RAM pickups, boasted 400 lb-ft torque
1994: Cummins in RAM pickups reached 420 lb-ft torque
1996: Cummins in RAM pickups surpassed 200 horsepower
2001: Cummins in RAM pickups exceeded 500 lb-ft torque
2007: Cummins 6.7 Liter, 350 horsepower engine offered in RAM pickups
2013: Cummins in RAM pickups reached 385 horsepower, 850 lb-ft torque
2019: Cummins in RAM pickups achieved 1,000 lb-ft torque
2020: Cummins in RAM pickups reached 400 horsepower
2021: Cummins in RAM pickups achieved 1,075 lb-ft torque & 420 horsepower

1st Generation Dodge Cummins 1989-1993

Dodge engineered the RAM pickup truck to accommodate the size and power of the Cummins 5.9 liter turbo diesel engine and the first Cummins Ram was available to the public in 1989, as an option with the 250 and 350 series pickups. The 160 horsepower of the Cummins in the RAM was less than impressive, but it packed a punch in the torque column, with an impressive 400 lb.-ft. that surpassed what was available in any gasoline fueled Ram at the time. Additionally, the Cummins diesel engine, compared with gas motors, delivered much better fuel economy with a higher MPG rating.

Incorporating the new Cummins B-series engine into the RAM was Dodge’s first move into the medium-duty pickup category. This gave Dodge an advantage over Ford and Chevy trucks because the Cummins had both turbo and direct injection which removed the need for glow plugs while Ford and Chevy trucks were still beholden to reliance upon the less reliable glow plug technology.

Rather than using wet liners, the bores of the first generation B-series Cummins diesel engines were machined directly into the block. They used a one-piece, 12-valve cylinder head with one inlet valve and one exhaust valve. The early 12-valve Cummins motors used the P7100 fuel pump, known as the “P pump”, which can be rebuilt and modified. The 12 valve Cummins used the Holset turbo which reliably tolerated massive increases in the engine’s power. Cummins powered RAMs of this generation used the awe inspiring Mopar 727 automatic or a five-speed manual transmission.

2nd Generation Dodge Cummins 1994-2002

The 2nd generation Cummins diesel engine was the engine used in the Dodge diesel pickups between 1994-2002; however, there are two variations of the second gen Cummins engine. The 1994-1998 trucks had the 5.9L, 12-valve engine, similar to the first gen engines; while the 1998.5-2002 trucks had Cummins’ new 24-valve, 5.9 liter engine. The 1994 Dodge debut of the new, second gen Cummins B-series 5.9 liter diesel engine provided an up tick in horsepower that complemented the new RAM truck body style which at the time was a unique departure from that period’s square body, minimal fender flair style. RAM’s new body style was a head turner with its resemblance to 18 wheeler semi-trucks with a raised hood line and low fenders.

The Cummins 12-valve design continued to be the go-to diesel engine offered in the larger RAM 2500 and 3500 model trucks and in 1994, the 5.9 liter was able to make gains in horsepower and torque at 175 hp and 420 lb.-ft., when coupled with the manual transmission, and 160 hp and 400 lb.-ft. with the automatic. Power and torque increased even more between 1996 and 1998, to 215 hp and 440 lb.-ft. with the manual transmission, and 180 hp and 420 lb.-ft. with the automatic. Cummins powered RAMs of this period used the A618/47RH transmission in 1994 and 1995 and moved to the 618/47RE in 1996 through 2002.

From 1998 through 2002, Dodge offered the 24-valve cylinder head with the Cummins ISB (Interact System, B-series) technology and electronic fuel injection. The ISB’s electronic fuel injection was introduced to reduce emissions. 1998 through 2000, manual transmission trucks generated 235 hp and 460 lb.-ft., while automatics generated 215 hp and 420 lb.-ft. For 2001 and 2002, two versions of the engine were offered. The standard version generated 235 hp and 460 lb.-ft. and a High-Output version generated 245 hp and 505 lb.-ft. The High-Output version had a higher compression ratio (17.3:1) and a larger flywheel. Also used was the new NV5600 six-speed manual transmission.

3rd Generation Dodge Cummins 2003-2009

The 2003 RAM 2500 and 3500 model pickups were redesigned and while the body style retained a styling very similar to the second generation’s high hood and low fenders, the truck sported stout sheet metal, a new frame, and a new suspension. The 2003 Cummins diesel engine was introduced with common rail injection and it generated 305 hp and 555 lb.-ft. In 2004 the High-Output Cummins 600 was introduced and it generated 325 hp and 600 lb.-ft. torque.

The 24 valve Cummins used the Holset turbo which reliably tolerated massive increases in the engine’s power. The 47RE, four-speed, automatic transmission continued to be used. A new transmission, the 48RE was introduced and it was essentially the 47RE, upgraded internally, to increase durability and torque capacity.

In 2007 the 6.7 liter B-series Cummins diesel engine was introduced in the RAM 2500 and 3500 Heavy Duty pickups and the 6.7 is used, still today. The bore and stroke were both increased to provide more displacement. The 6.7L generated 350 hp and 610 lb.-ft. with the Mercedes G56 6-speed manual transmission and the 6.7 generated 350 hp and 650 lb.-ft. with the 6-speed 68RFE automatic transmission.

Cummins went with a Variable Geometry Turbocharger (VGT) with its 6.7 liter B-series diesel engine. The VGT reduced turbo lag with sliding vanes in the exhaust to create optimal back pressure. To keep in step with new Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) emissions standards Cummins introduced, with the 6.7 liter, the Exhaust Gas Recirculation (EGR) system and the Diesel Particulate Filter (DPF).

4th Generation Dodge Cummins 2010-2018

The 2010 RAM HD pickup model featured many new features and technology. While Ram kept the Mega Cab model, the Quad cabs were replaced with full-size crew cabs. The Laramie Longhorn and Limited trims were offered, making the new RAM a desirable ride. Between 2011 and 2019, RAM exclusively offered heavy duty pickups with the traditional three-pedal manual transmission.

The fourth generation Cummins diesel engine had been improved and upgraded frequently. While horsepower performance had increased fairly frequently, the torque performance increased almost annually. 2010 to 2012, the 6.7 liter engine generated 350 hp and 650 lb.-ft. of torque. From 2013 to 2018, the RAM Cummins generated 350 hp and 660 lb.-ft. of torque with the 6-speed manual transmission. In 2013, the Aisin ASC69RC automatic transmission was introduced and the 2013 and 2014 Cummins diesel engine generated 385 hp and 850 lb.-ft. of torque. In 2014, a smaller Eco-Diesel V6 was introduced with the RAM 2500 and 3500. Horsepower saw no bump in 2015, but torque increased to 865 lb.-ft. of torque. In 2016 and 2017, torque improved again to 900 lb.-ft. of torque. In 2018 it increased to 930 lb.-ft. of torque.

5th Generation Dodge Cummins 2019-Present

The 5th generation Cummins 6.7 liter diesel engine is a popular choice among RAM 2500 HD and RAM 3500 Heavy Duty pickup owners, with a near 75% of them selecting the turbo diesel engine as their preference when buying a new RAM pickup. The Cummins 6.7 liter turbo diesel engine is used in the RAM 2500 and 3500 Heavy Duty pickup trucks and in the RAM 3500, 4500 and 5500 Chassis cabs.

The 5th generation Cummins diesel engine increased to 400 hp and 1000 lb.-ft. of torque with a towing capability equal to semi-trucks. The maximum towing capacity is impressive with the standard tow rating at 17,580 lbs., but with the High-Output engine, the Single Cab, Dually models with 4×2 can flex a 5th wheel tow rating of 35,100 lbs. The RAM 3500 and the 6.7 liter High-Output Cummins diesel engine with the AS69RC Aisin 6-speed transmission is the combination that generates the venerable 1,000 lb.-ft. of torque with 400 horsepower. The Cummins 6.7 liter diesel engine in the standard RAM 2500 and 3500, with the 68RFE automatic transmission, generates 850 lb.-ft. of torque with 370 horsepower.

In 2021 the 5th gen Cummins 6.7 liter diesel engine in RAM 3500 pickups achieved 1,075 lb-ft of torque and 420 horsepower. It is the High-Output diesel engine in the RAM 3500 equipped with the Aisin transmission and with the Bosch HPCR (High Pressure Common Rail) fuel pump that reaches this best-in-class torque with stratospheric power.

Problems & Issues with Cummins RAM Diesel Engines

Killer Dowel Pin

A common issue and a sure-to-happen problem to be aware of is the timing gear housing alignment pin that can become dislodged from its bore. This alignment pin has infamously become known as the Killer Dowel Pin (KDP). By design, in the 12-valve and 24-valve Cummins 5.9 liter B-series diesel engines in the 1989-2002 Dodge RAM pickups, this alignment pin is pressed into the block to ensure trueness during assembly, aligning the aluminum timing gear housing to the engine. The pin is positioned over the cam gear, next to the injection pump gear. The problem is the fact that the pin is not secured and over time, with wear and tear, engine vibration, and more, the dowel becomes dislodged from its bore. It is not a matter of “if” it will dislodge, but a matter of “when” it will dislodge. Given enough time, it will dislodge.

As the dowel backs out of its hole, it can do one of four, or more, things. One, the pin can fall out and become lodged between the timing gear housing and cam gear and damages nothing. Second, the pin falls out and ends up in the same place, lodged between the timing gear housing and the cam gear; but in doing so it breaks the side of the timing gear housing. Third, the pin can fall out and eventually end up in the oil pan, without damaging anything. Fourth, the pin can fall out and become lodged between the injection pump gears and the cam. The result can be catastrophic, non-repairable damage. In most cases, when this occurs, piston-to-valve contact is made and in a matter of seconds the engine is reduced to scrap metal.

If you have a 1989-2002 Dodge RAM pickup with the Cummins 5.9 liter diesel engine and as far as you know the Killer Dowel Pin has not fallen out, or if you are considering buying this truck, you can bring the truck to Cummins Automotive & Diesel Service and they can look to determine if your dowel is intact or if it has fallen out. Whether it has fallen out or not, if it has not been repaired or upgraded, repairs and upgrades are available and Cummins Automotive & Diesel Service can service your truck with the appropriate repair or upgrade.

1st Gen Cummins Dodge RAM Diesel Engine Struggles With Cold Start

Does your Dodge RAM truck’s Cummins diesel engine struggle to start when it is cold? Perhaps you may have not specifically concluded it does struggle, but if you’ve caught yourself muttering, “Come on big RAM, you can do it!” while thinking to yourself, “Wow, my Cummins sure struggles to start cold for a RAM” when all of a sudden it fires up and in your elation that it did start and the busy schedule ahead of you, you dismiss the problem and then forget about it. If this describes you, your RAM Cummins diesel engine may be struggling to cold start because the engine is worn out. After it warms up, it will restart just fine, but that cold start is a dog. If you’ve landed here and your Dodge Cummins diesel engine does struggle with a cold start, call Cummins Automotive & Diesel at (971) 832-0739, and we can schedule your truck to be looked at to see if it is time for an engine rebuild or a partial overhaul.

24-Valve Cummins Dodge RAM Diesel Engine Fuel Pump Problems

How is your Dodge RAM Cummins 24-valve diesel engine performing? The Cummins 24-valve diesel engines with Bosch injectors use the VP44, high-pressure, Bosch fuel pump rather than the “P Pump” (P7100). The VP44 fuel pump is less reliable than the P7100 fuel pump. Bosch says, with the earlier fuel pumps, the rotors were poorly machined and the lift pump can provide less than the optimal amount of fuel to the injection pump. Diesel fuel acts as a lubricant in diesel engines, so if the fuel flow is reduced, an insufficient amount of fuel will cycle through the fuel pump, reducing the lubrication of the rotor and, as a result, the rotor can seize.

Intermittent Hard Start Or White Smoke With Cummins Dodge RAM Diesel Engine Related To Bosch Fuel Pump Problem

Has your RAM thrown the engine trouble code P0216? If it has, or if you have white smoke, or if you’ve experienced episodes of intermittent hard starts, your truck may be due for the replacement of its Bosch VP44 fuel pump. The VP44 Bosch fuel pumps are cooled with fuel rather than with oil, so the VP44’s other problem of low fuel delivery with the earlier VP44 fuel pumps, can reduce the amount of cooling needed and cause them to run hot or to overheat. As a consequence, the electrical components in the computer on top of the fuel pump can overheat and the soldered joints can crystalize, leading to bad electrical connections, contributing to intermittent hard starts and/or white smoke. If your Cummins Dodge RAM diesel engine shows signs of white smoke or intermittent hard starts, Cummins Automotive & Diesel Service can run diagnostics, troubleshoot, and observe symptoms before determining whether or not it would be advisable to replace your Bosch fuel pump with an aftermarket fuel pump.

Does Your Cummins RAM Diesel Engine Have The 53 Engine Block?

Some of the Cummins 24-valve ISB diesel engines in the RAM pickup trucks, from 1999 to 2000, had an engine block casting defect that purportedly can cause the engine block to fracture. More times than not, the Cummins diesel engines in these model years that suffer an engine block fracture will have a 53 cast into one side, or the other, of the engine block. The number 53 should be approximately 1 inch in height. The 53 block has thin water jacket walls that are susceptible to cracking. Frequent or heavy towing, the engine overheating, and failure to let the engine warm up properly after a cold start, all can contribute to the potential of the fracture occurring. One symptom you may notice will be a loss of coolant.

These cracks usually occur on the passenger side of the 53 blocks, directly below the freeze plugs. Truck owners with the automatic transmission might have difficulty spotting a crack because the automatic transmission heat exchanger can hide the crack from view. Unfortunately, an engine replacement is the only sure fix for this problem. Block stitching and welding, which Cummins Automotive & Diesel Service does not perform, is a temporary repair wherein the crack ends are drilled out and the crack is V-notched and welded, but the fix is temporary because it can crack again. However, it can keep you running to give you more time to determine your best option in replacing the engine. Dodge replaced a large number of these engines under warranty. If your truck develops this fracture, you can bring it to Cummins Automotive & Diesel Service and we can look into the issue, see if any relief is still available from Dodge, and proceed with servicing your truck with the best option available.

3rd Gen Cummins RAM Diesel Engine Problems

Cummins RAM Pickup Truck 6.7 Liter Diesel Engine Emissions & Limp Mode

To keep up with the new Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) emissions standards of the time, Cummins introduced the 6.7 liter diesel pickup engine with the Exhaust Gas Recirculation (EGR) system and the Diesel Particulate Filter (DPF). The EGR and the DPF can cause or encounter problems that can lead to the truck going into limp mode. The truck will usually be stuck in limp mode until the problem is repaired. Dodge offered a warranty that covers emissions components up to 50,000 miles, but the problems that force the truck into limp mode do often occur well beyond Dodge’s 50,000 mile emissions warranty. If your third generation Cummins RAM diesel pickup goes into limp mode, call Cummins Automotive & Diesel Service at (971) 832-0739, and we will get you into the shop or dispatch our mobile roadside repair technician and service truck to quickly assess the cause of your truck’s limp mode and offer the optimal and proper repair or service to get you back on the road.

3rd Gen Cummins 6.7 Liter Diesel Engine, VGT Turbocharger & Exhaust Brake Maintenance

As mentioned above, with our introduction of the 3rd generation Dodge Cummins diesel engine information, we pointed out that the VGT (Variable Geometry Turbocharger) reduces turbo lag by means of the sliding vanes in the exhaust that create optimum back pressure. It also works as an exhaust brake and proves very useful when towing. However, problems with this system of the 6.7 liter Cummins RAM diesel engine are common. As a part of regular, routine maintenance, if you bring your truck to Cummins Automotive & Diesel Service, we can check this system on your truck by testing the exhaust brake and making sure it is working properly.

3rd Gen 6.7 Liter 24-Valve Cummins RAM Pickup Diesel Engine Performance Improvements

The later Cummins RAM pickup truck diesel engines lacked the tremendous performance potentials that the properly tuned, 12-valve, B-series, 5.9 liter engines had; but it is much easier to extract a curbed amount of additional performance from the 24-valve Cummins diesel engines. Would you like to get additional performance out of your 6.7 liter 24-valve Cummins diesel engine? Bring it in to Cummins Automotive & Diesel Service and with an electronic tuner we’ll remap the fuel injection computer to yield significant power, torque, and gas mileage improvements.

Self Test Your Cummins RAM 24-Valve Pickup Truck Diesel Engine Before Going To Cummins Automotive & Diesel Service

There are a handful of simple tests you can do on your Cummins RAM 24-valve diesel engine to try to identify some common problems. Have someone start your truck while you are positioned at the tailpipe. Remember to take precautions to avoid a rolling truck from injuring you while testing. After the truck starts, do you see blue smoke? If you do, it is oil passing through the exhaust. It is highly probable that an injector problem or an injector pump problem is causing the blue smoke.

A second test you can do, while you are at the tailpipe, is to sniff the exhaust fumes. What do you smell? If you smell anti-freeze, your truck may have a problem at the head gasket. Now, since the truck has been started and is running, observe the idle. The idle should not be pulsating. The truck should idle smoothly. Gently increase the engine’s RPMs to 2,000 RPM. When it reaches 2,000 RPMs, remove your foot from the fuel pedal and let the engine return to an idle. The engine’s rise to 2,000 RPMs and its return to idle should progress, in both directions, smoothly. If there are any irregular or rough spots during the rise and decline in RPMs, it is possible you have injector or injector pump problems. If your Cummins RAM 24-valve pickup truck diesel engine exhibits blue smoke, the smell of anti-freeze, or rough idle during any of these self tests, call Cummins Automotive & Diesel Service at (971) 832-0739, and we will schedule shop space to take a look at your truck and determine for you the best options to properly repair or service your truck.

4th Gen Cummins RAM Pickup Truck Problems & Recalls

2016-2018 RAM Truck Model Problems & Recalls

• The steering linkage can work loose.
• A fault with the interconnect switch between the ignition and the transmission allows gears to be selected without a key in the ignition.
• The tailgate latches are faulty.

2017 RAM Truck Model Problems & Recalls

• Water pump problems.
• The front airbags can accidentally deploy.

2018 RAM Truck Model Problems & Recalls

• Some trucks have potential problems in which the cruise control does not disengage.

2019 RAM Truck Model Problems & Recalls

• Brake caliper problems that can require caliper replacement.
• Engine lubrication problems during engine startup.

Cummins Commercial Medium & Heavy Duty Truck Diesel Engines

Model ISB Series, B6.7, ISC Series, ISL Series, L9, ISM Series, M11, ISV Series, ISV5.0, ISX Series, ISX12 Series, ISX15 Series, X12 Series, X15 Series & Legacy Model L10, N14, NT Series, NT855 Big Cam, NTC400 Big Cam Diesel Engines

Cummins X15 Series Commercial Heavy Duty Diesel Engines

Cummins Automotive & Diesel Service will repair, maintain, rebuild, overhaul and service your Cummins Inc. long haul X15 Efficiency Series diesel engine, your linehaul, horsepower oriented X15 Performance Series diesel engine, and your multi-purposed, peak horsepower X15 Productivity Series diesel engine.

Your Cummins X15 heavy duty diesel truck engine can be serviced at Cummins Automotive & Diesel Service if it is in a Freightliner model Next Gen Cascadia, 122SD, 114SD, an International model LT Series, HX Series, LoneStar, a Kenworth model W900, W990, T880, T680, C500, a Mack model Anthem, Granite MHD, TerraPro, LR, a Peterbilt model 579, 567, 389, 367, 520, a Volvo model VNL 300, VNL 400, VNL 740, VNL 760, VNL 860, VNX 300, VNX 400, VNX 740, or a Western Star model 6900, 4700, 4900, 49X.

Cummins X12 Series Commercial Heavy Duty Diesel Engines

Cummins Automotive & Diesel Service will repair, maintain, rebuild, overhaul and service your Cummins Inc. long haul X12 Series diesel engine.

Your Cummins X12 heavy duty diesel truck engine can be serviced at Cummins Automotive & Diesel Service if it is in a Freightliner model Next Gen Cascadia, 122SD, 114SD, an International model LT Series, HX Series, LoneStar, a Kenworth model W900, W990, T880, T680, C500, a Mack model Anthem, Granite MHD, TerraPro, LR, a Peterbilt model 579, 567, 389, 367, 520, a Volvo model VNL 300, VNL 400, VNL 740, VNL 760, VNL 860, VNX 300, VNX 400, VNX 740, or a Western Star model 6900, 4700, 4900, 49X.

Cummins ISX, ISX12 & ISX15 Series Commercial Heavy Duty Diesel Engines

Cummins Automotive & Diesel Service will repair, maintain, rebuild, overhaul and service your Cummins Inc. ISX, ISX12 and ISX15 Series diesel engine. Your Cummins ISX (EPA 07) heavy duty diesel engine can be serviced at Cummins Automotive & Diesel Service if it is in a heavy duty truck, in a delivery truck, or in an RV motorhome coach. Your Cummins ISX12 heavy duty diesel engine can be serviced at Cummins Automotive & Diesel Service if it is in a motorcoach, in a heavy duty truck, in a delivery truck, or in an RV motorhome coach. Your Cummins ISX15 heavy duty diesel engine can be serviced at Cummins Automotive & Diesel Service if it is in a heavy duty truck, in a delivery truck, or in an RV motorhome coach.

Cummins ISM, ISM11, M11, ISM450 & ISM500 Series Commercial Heavy Duty Diesel Engines

Cummins Automotive & Diesel Service will repair, maintain, rebuild, overhaul and service your Cummins Inc. ISM, ISM11 and M11 Series diesel engine. Your Cummins ISM, ISM11 and M11 heavy duty diesel engine can be serviced at Cummins Automotive & Diesel Service if it is in a heavy duty truck, in a delivery truck, in an urban transit truck, or in a shuttle truck. Your Cummins ISM450 and ISM500 heavy duty diesel engine can be serviced at Cummins Automotive & Diesel Service if it is in an RV motorhome coach.

Cummins ISL Series Commercial Heavy Duty Diesel Engines

Cummins Automotive & Diesel Service will repair, maintain, rebuild, overhaul and service your Cummins Inc. ISL and ISL9 Series diesel engine. Your Cummins ISL heavy duty diesel engine can be serviced at Cummins Automotive & Diesel Service if it is in a medium duty truck, in a delivery truck, in an urban transit truck, in a shuttle truck, in an RV motorhome, or in a motorcoach.

Cummins ISC Series Commercial Heavy Duty Diesel Engines

Cummins Automotive & Diesel Service will repair, maintain, rebuild, overhaul and service your Cummins Inc. ISC Series diesel engine. Your Cummins ISC heavy duty diesel engine can be serviced at Cummins Automotive & Diesel Service if it is in a medium duty truck, in a delivery truck, in an urban transit truck, in a shuttle truck, or in an RV motorhome coach.

Cummins ISB Series Commercial Heavy Duty Diesel Engines

Cummins Automotive & Diesel Service will repair, maintain, rebuild, overhaul and service your Cummins Inc. ISB Series, 5.9 liter and 6.7 liter diesel engine. Your Cummins ISB heavy duty diesel engine can be serviced at Cummins Automotive & Diesel Service if it is in a medium duty truck, in a delivery truck, in an urban transit truck, in a shuttle truck, or in an RV motorhome coach.

Cummins B6.7 Series Commercial Medium Duty Diesel Engines

Cummins Automotive & Diesel Service will repair, maintain, rebuild, overhaul and service your Cummins Inc. B6.7 Series diesel engine. Your Cummins B6.7 medium duty diesel engine can be serviced at Cummins Automotive & Diesel Service if it is in a medium duty truck, in a delivery truck, in a school truck, in an urban transit truck, in a shuttle truck, in an RV motorhome, or in a motorcoach.

Cummins L9 Series Commercial Medium Duty Diesel Engines

Cummins Automotive & Diesel Service will repair, maintain, rebuild, overhaul and service your Cummins Inc. L9 Series diesel engine. Your Cummins L9 medium duty diesel engine can be serviced at Cummins Automotive & Diesel Service if it is in a medium duty truck, in a delivery truck, in a school truck, in an urban transit truck, in a shuttle truck, in an RV motorhome, or in a motorcoach.

Cummins ISV Series Commercial Medium Duty Diesel Engines

Cummins Automotive & Diesel Service will repair, maintain, rebuild, overhaul and service your Cummins Inc. ISV and ISV5.0 Series diesel engine. Your Cummins ISV and ISV5.0 medium duty diesel engine can be serviced at Cummins Automotive & Diesel Service if it is in a medium duty truck, in a delivery truck, in a school truck, or in an RV motorhome coach.

Cummins L10 Series Commercial Heavy Duty Legacy Diesel Engines

Cummins Automotive & Diesel Service will repair, maintain, rebuild, overhaul and service your Cummins Inc. 10 liter, inline 6 cylinder, L10 Series legacy diesel engine. Your Cummins L10 heavy duty diesel engine can be serviced at Cummins Automotive & Diesel Service if it is in a semi tractor trailer truck or other heavy duty truck, delivery truck or motorhome.

Cummins N14 Series Commercial Heavy Duty Legacy Diesel Engines

Cummins Automotive & Diesel Service will repair, maintain, rebuild, overhaul and service your Cummins Inc. 14 liter, inline 6 cylinder, N14 Series legacy diesel engine. Your Cummins N14 heavy duty diesel engine can be serviced at Cummins Automotive & Diesel Service if it is in a semi tractor trailer truck or other heavy duty truck, delivery or motorhome.

Cummins NT Series, NT855 Big Cam Commercial Heavy Duty Legacy Diesel Engines

Cummins Automotive & Diesel Service will repair, maintain, rebuild, overhaul and service your Cummins Inc. 14 liter, inline 6 cylinder, NT Series and NT855 Big Cam legacy diesel engine. Your Cummins NT Series, NT 855 Big Cam heavy duty diesel engine can be serviced at Cummins Automotive & Diesel Service if it is in a semi tractor trailer truck, in a dump truck, or in other heavy duty trucks.

Cummins NTC400 Big Cam Commercial Heavy Duty Legacy Diesel Engines

Cummins Automotive & Diesel Service will repair, maintain, rebuild, overhaul and service your Cummins Inc. 14 liter, inline 6 cylinder, NTC400 Big Cam legacy diesel engine. Your Cummins NTC400 Big Cam heavy duty diesel engine can be serviced at Cummins Automotive & Diesel Service if it is in a semi tractor trailer truck, in a dump truck, or in other heavy duty trucks.

Problems & Issues with Cummins Commercial Heavy Duty Truck Engines

Your Cummins diesel engine, whether in a semi truck, a refuse truck, an RV motorhome, or other, can be prone to problems and issues.

Performance Issues Related To Insufficient Engine Lubrication

One common fault with the ISX and the X15 engines can be the camshaft, in which the rocker arms stop some components from getting their proper and adequate oil lubrication. Over time, with less lubrication than that which is ideal, these components can stick and hit the camshaft. If this occurs, over many miles of operation it can result in them becoming flattened. This problem can be very difficult to recognize or diagnose.

One symptom that may indicate this condition is an X15 diesel engine exhibiting a loss in performance. Many factors can cause a drop in performance, but if your loss in performance goes without improvement with other, more typical repairs or service which normally improve performance, bring your truck into Cummins Automotive & Diesel Service and they can look to see if this condition is the specific cause of your lack of performance.

Performance Issues Related To A Leaking EGR Valve

Have you noticed your Cummins X15 or ISX series engine seems to be going through engine coolant more quickly than normal? If your diesel engine is consuming coolant at an accelerated rate and the problem compounds, it can lead to performance issues. One cause of higher than normal coolant consumption can be a leaking EGR (Exhaust Gas Recirculation) valve.

While performance issues can sometimes be difficult to diagnose, if you have high coolant consumption in tandem with a drop in performance, it can be a clue to look at the EGR valve. Sometimes, rather than high coolant consumption, the coolant consumption will fluctuate. You may also notice a white residue which can be an indicator of burnt engine coolant. Any of these observations, combined with poor engine performance, may be due to an EGR valve leak. If you have noticed any of these coolant clues along with a drop in engine performance, if you bring your truck to Cummins Automotive & Diesel Service, certified diesel technicians can service your engine to get it running at peak performance again.

Premature Clogging Of Cummins X15 Diesel Engine Fuel Filters

A common problem with the Cummins X15 diesel engine is a fuel filter clogging quicker than normal, especially when the truck is operated in colder climates. A prematurely clogged fuel filter can be due to the quality or the cleanliness of the fuel, but if you have ruled out the fuel quality as a contributing factor, your problem may be due to the filter itself.

If you have been able to determine your quickly clogging fuel filter is not due to the quality of the fuel, you may have a filter or a filter system problem. It is possible your installed filters may be the wrong or inappropriate micron gauge. Some who have contacted Cummins about this problem have been told by Cummins that the X15 should have the Davco filter system, which means Cummins may not recommend the Paccar filter system with the X15 engine. Whether your premature clogging of the fuel filter is filter micron caused or filter system caused, the technicians at Cummins Automotive & Diesel Service can look at your truck and advise you on the proper service or repair for your truck.

Cylinder Design & Potential Catastrophic Failure

The Cummins ISX and the X15 engine have mid-stock steel cylinder liners. The factory installed cylinder liners are supported halfway down the liners. These cylinder liners can break and a few indicators that this may have occurred are leaking engine coolant, an overheating engine block, and/or a drop in pressure.

A cylinder liner can break when a piston seizes and the connecting rod or the piston can come loose. A detached piston or a detached connecting rod can cause catastrophic damage to the engine. If you observe the drop in pressure, the leaking engine coolant, and/or the engine block overheating, you may have a broken cylinder liner, a seized piston and possibly a detached piston or connecting rod.

If you observe any of these symptoms, to minimize potential further damage, it is recommended that the truck engine not be operated until after technicians can diagnose and service, or repair, the engine. If you call Cummins Automotive & Diesel Service at (971) 832-0739, we can dispatch a mobile, roadside repair technician, or we can schedule shop floor space for the repair, or rebuild, of your truck’s engine.

Signals Your Cummins Diesel Engine Can Give For An Overhaul

Do you smell fuel in your Cummins heavy duty commercial diesel engine’s oil? Has your Cummins semi truck diesel engine clocked high mileage and now it is pinging or running roughly? Several factors can play into whether or not it is time for an overhaul, and while mileage north of 700,000 can be a threshold for it becoming time to pay closer attention to the symptoms your engine gives you; if before that threshold you do smell fuel in the oil, or if your Cummins diesel engine is pinging or running roughly with high but sub 700K miles on the odometer, these could be clear signals that it is time for an engine overhaul.

One point to consider, is if your Cummins commercial heavy duty diesel truck engine has over 500,000 miles on it, getting an overhaul prior to any possible ensuing trouble can help you avoid the cost and the potential longer downtime if your engine were to fail on the roadside. One benefit the Cummins Inc. company has for you is that they have a range of Cummins overhaul kits available. Cummins Automotive & Diesel Service can overhaul your engine with a Cummins Inc. overhaul kit for the ISX EPA 2010 and the ISX EPA 2013 as well as the legacy heavy duty engines of ISX EPA 2007 and even the older N14, M11, ISB, ISC, ISL and others; all of which are specially designed to extend the life of your engine.

An additional benefit with the Cummins Inc. overhaul kits is that they are made with genuine Cummins parts which are engineered specifically for your engine and each kit can save you money compared to purchasing the parts individually. The ISX overhaul kits, in particular, come in three “sizes” (tiers), allowing you to overhaul your engine with options of different levels of parts to better fit your budget and your needs. Depending on the overhaul kit you need, you will get some mix of the following parts; piston rings, pistons, bearings, gaskets, cylinder liners (if applicable), main bearings, upper engine gasket set, piston cooling nozzles, connecting rods, connecting rod bearings, oil pan gasket, fuel and lube filters, cylinder head, lube oil pump, water pump, fuel pump, fuel pump roller tappet, fuel pump barrel and plunge, fuel connectors, fuel injectors, oil bypass valve, coolant thermostat, turbo studs, or locknuts.

Messages From A Used Cummins Heavy Duty Diesel Engine

You may not think of it, but if you are running a used, pre-owned Cummins heavy duty commercial diesel engine and are experiencing issues with either engine performance, fuel economy, durability, reliability, or uptime; your engine could be telling you that some of its parts have been replaced in the past with non-genuine Cummins parts. Cummins’ lab has tested over 300 non-genuine parts and found that none of them meet all of Cummins’ design specifications for each individual part. With time these non-genuine parts can detrimentally affect engine performance or fuel economy and if you do not take into consideration that your used engine may have non-genuine Cummins parts, you might chase other, more traditional repair and service options rather than simply replacing a non-genuine Cummins part. If your pre-owned Cummins diesel engine is suffering from performance or fuel economy issues, bring it to Cummins Automotive & Diesel Service and they will inspect any suspect parts to see if they are non-genuine Cummins parts.

Cummins Diesel Engine Surges At Idle

Have you begun to notice your Cummins diesel engine is surging when it idles? If your Cummins diesel engine does surge at idle, there are several problems which can be the cause of the issue. The idle speed could be too low, there could be suction leaks drawing air into the fuel system, the fuel supply could be restricted, one or more injectors could be malfunctioning, or the injection pump could be worn or malfunctioning. If your Cummins diesel truck or RV engine is surging at idle, call or bring it into Cummins Automotive & Diesel Service and they can schedule shop space to have a certified diesel technician bleed the fuel system or take a look at idle settings, pre-filters and screens, check for fuel suction leaks or restrictions, inspect the injectors, or inspect the injection pump.

NOTE: The Cummins Heavy Duty Commercial Truck diesel engine section of this page is being developed. More information will be added.