Just got a call from the dealer and wanted to know a time when I can bring my truck in for a freeze plug check. I guess that some engines have been leaking there. The plugs are attached to the block. They informed me that they need to pressurize the system to check for leaks and will go from there. I don't know if there is a TSB out yet, NHTSA & ODI (Office of Defects Investigation) websites don't have anything. Has anyone else had this phone call?http://www.dieselplace.com/forum/smileys/Ermm.gif

That's the first i heard of it. They seem to be real easy to get to so I wouldn't worry about them having to do much. Unless there are plugs in the fron or rear of the engine. The ones on the side are in plain site.

There's a post about this over on DTR too.





FWIW, I haven't heard squat. No phone call, no nothing. Ironically, I ran into this SAME problem with my PSD last summer. I noticed my coolant level was down a bit. Dealer traced to a bad freeze plug, which required dropping the tranny to replace.

There's an update to that post over on TDR. It's only 600's built in Jan and Feb. LHarper said his dealer said if two replacement plugs are required, it's engine replacement time.


I'm not liking this.

There's an update to that post over on TDR. It's only 600's built in Jan and Feb. LHarper said his dealer said if two replacement plugs are required, it's engine replacement time.


I'm not liking this.




Is this you Scott?

Yeah Mike, it's me. I've lurked here for a while, haven't posted before.

Good to have you. Don't sweat the freeze plug thing yet. Wait till you get more news.

Sounds strange though to have a Rapid Response recall for a freeze plug.

"Dealer was told they can replace one freeze plug if needed but if two are required, engine replacement is required and truck goes to auction."

I think they mean they replace the engine then the truck goes to Broker... I mean Auction. http://www.dieselplace.com/forum/smileys/Wink.gif

Damn, just another thing that I am going to lose sleep over. I will have to look it up on DTR. Thanks for the info.. will keep you posted. http://www.dieselplace.com/forum/smileys/Ermm.gif

This could turn out to be a real PITA. Is there not ONE American manufacturer who can build a trouble-free product?http://www.dieselplace.com/forum/smileys/Confused.gif

This could turn out to be a real PITA. Is there not ONE American manufacturer who can build a trouble-free product?http://www.dieselplace.com/forum/smileys/Confused.gif

Right now, looking at the big three diesel pickup choices,

It's just not easy. Each brand has it's pluses and minuses. It used to be you pick the one that suits you most in how you use it. Right now with the emissions and the power wars driving engine designs, we're in the middle of a learning curve.

I can't get over Bosch putting out literally millions of injectors that are simply unreliable, and not stepping up and making some kind of major design change to stop the bleeding. Instead GM/Isuzu redesigns the engine to save themselves money in the labor costs. It wouldn't be such a big deal changing injectors like you change spark plugs if you didn't think about out of warranty costs for the customer. Granted, the cost of injectors is supposedly coming down. That will help alot. My biggest problem with the injector issue (I got these things in my Dodge too) is what a bad one can do to your engine.

Ford... not much needs to be said there. They are still having major problems with the 6.0, maybe not on the scale of the early builds but I heard that engine is going to be changed real soon. I hear a larger displacement is coming. Currently they use an injection system similar to the 7.3 PSD but a different manufacturer, yet they are having injector leakers as well. When a PSD gets a crankcase full of fuel, you might as well kiss that engine goodbye. A big PSD fan (Big Red PSD) on another site just unloaded his new 6.0 with 4000 miles on it cause the injectors leaked and screwed the turbo. He was Ford PSD all the way.... he just picked up a Dodge Cummins.

Dodge... for me it was the urge for years to try out the Cummins. I test drove a brand new one in 1996 before buying a Chevy 6.5TD. The Cummins had no power in stock form. So bad that I thought there was something wrong with the truck. Today Dodge has a real contender but teething issues need to be resolved. My vibration being one of them. I wouldn't worry too much about the plug Scott. If I was involved in that it wouldn't bother me to get a new engine if it came down to that. A manufacturing screwup is one thing. A design screwup is scary. The Cummins looks like an easy swap.

On the other hand there are lots of people that are having no problems with their trucks, many putting lots of miles on them, others bombing the heck out of them, amazed at what they can take. The GM's are really nice trucks. GM has come a long way building diesel/HD trucks. Ford I think is in a hole. Design wise the SuperDuty is old tech. Poor steering to me is inexcusable. I drove my buddies Excursion. 7.3PSD. Nice power, nice torque but it was literally work to keep it going straight.

A lot of people are asking me in the background why I bought a Dodge. I guess the easiest answer right now is...

WHY NOT? Edited by: hoot

Update: Just got off the phone with Cummins, 1-800-DIESELS and they didn't know about the freeze plug problem. I left my call back number so they could call me back ASAP. Well 3 minutes later... I recieved a call from Cummins, they talked to the Chrysler contact and were advised of the problem.


It turns out that Chrysler had a few trucks that blew out freeze plugs under the "right" conditions. They were leaking coolant and of course if you lose coolant you might as well burn up the motor leading to a new engine and truck.


The dealership is going to pressure test the coolant system and rev the engine to get the maximum pressure for the engine coolant and see if there are any leaks. There were only a few engines with this problem so the possibility is slim. (Famous last wordshttp://www.dieselplace.com/forum/smileys/Ermm.gif). We'll have to see if this becomes a problem in the future.

CTD 600


I e-mailed my dealer last night and waiting for a reply today. I Will force the issue and have them test anyway. The dealer I have is always accommodating. Thanks for the heads up.


Hoot


When it comes to trucks the larger issue is warranty. What ever company and what ever dealer looks after you. That was my issue when I started buying Dodges. Chrysler and Dodge have looked after me - GM was always problematic for me. For others it may be different.


Long live the diesel owners!

so the possibility is slim. (Famous last wordshttp://www.dieselplace.com/forum/smileys/Ermm.gif).

I used to be slim

There seems to be some updates over on TDR. I will call my dealer next week and see about getting this done.


It's like scheduling a colonoscopy. You know you're probably fine, but still, in the back of your mind.....http://www.dieselplace.com/forum/smileys/Ermm.gif

Call Ben Dover

Call Ben Dover





http://www.dieselplace.com/forum/smileys/HiHi.gif

I got the call today - truck is going in Monday to be tested on Tuesday morning.


From the posts over on TDR, there seem to be inconsistencies. One person said his dealer found 4, another (dealer - Tomeygun) said there were none at his dealer. Who knows? A couple called Cummins, which said that for those trucks with miles, and have been through several heating/cooling cycles, should be fine. We'll see.


I'll let you guys know.

Good luck Scott.

I only have 2900 miles on mine, but every time except once the engine has been fully warmed up to operating tempature before shutting it down. I took some pictures of what I think are the plugs? Need some help here. http://www.dieselplace.com/forum/uploads/27B_MVC-611F.JPG

Here's another... Again don't know if these are it or not? This picture was taken right by the turbo looking towards the block. http://www.dieselplace.com/forum/uploads/6ZE_MVC-613F.JPG

Another... Mack or Hoot.... How do you post multiple pictures on one post with some comments in between each picture??? There isn't any evidence of leakage. Just some minor spec's of corrosion crystals.








http://www.dieselplace.com/forum/uploads/A7F_MVC-614F.JPG

This picture is looking foward towards the front of the truck, located by the turbo housing. http://www.dieselplace.com/forum/uploads/Z32_MVC-617F.JPG

I just dropped off my truck. I asked the tech whether or not it was really necessary to do the test on a vehicle with 2200 miles. He said should be done anyway, so I left it. They will do it in the morning.

My courtesy vehicle is a........2001 Caravan!http://www.turbodieselregister.com/ubb/confused.gif Don't let anyone see me in this!http://www.turbodieselregister.com/ubb/rolleyes.gifhttp://www.dieselplace.com/forum/smileys/Confused.gif

CTD 600,

Multiple pics are easy. After you upload the first you'll see the pic URL

After than type in your comments for th enext pic and up load it. The only problem with this forum software is it tends to plug stuff in at the end no matter where your cursor is at the time. Sometimes you need to cut and paste the stuff so it's all in the right order.

You can always to go back and edit.
Edited by: hoot

Scott, Duane already saw you!He want's to run the wife's Windstar in a grudge match.http://www.dieselplace.com/forum/smileys/Cool.gif

Captain and Coke talking again. http://www.dieselplace.com/forum/smileys/Ermm.gif

"Scott, Duane already saw you!He want's to run the wife's Windstar in a grudge match"


http://www.dieselplace.com/forum/smileys/Big Smile.gif





My truck passed just fine.

Good news Scott. Now you can concentrate on your next mods http://www.dieselplace.com/forum/smileys/Thumbs Up.gif

Dropped mine today at the Dealer. They gave me a 2004 Chrysler Concorde leather, sunroof... Not bad.. mine you I would of driven a caravan.


Not too keen on the test they are about to do. From dead cold, pressurize the system and then run the engine for 3 minutes at maximum rpm. ouch! all this to create pressure with a cold block.


My Serial No appears on the wanted list! I guess I didn't have to push for the test... they called and stated get it in now!Edited by: Canadian_Frank

Mine passed no problems. The dealer had to keep it overnight to let the engine block sit for 8 hours cold, then do the test. Just hope that something doesn't happen in the future.

I got my ride back tonight. No problems as well. Was told that Dodge updated their test and needed to raise pressure to 25 lbs rather than run the engine for 3 minutes. I was told that it took less than 1 minute to get the pressure buildup.


I feel much better.

HAS ANYONE EXPERIENCED THE FILTER MINDER TO SUCK IN SLGHTLY ? TO ME IT SEEMS ITS STARVING FOR AIR. MAYBE BY INCREASING THE SIZE OF THE WHEEL IN THE TURBO AND INCREASING THE SIZE OF THE EXHAUST PIPE THEY SHOULD HAVE INCREASED THE INTAKE AIR.


04.5 325 600 48RE 3.73 GEARS