Have '99 cummins, kept loosing coolent and then overheating, dealer said they had to replace the radiator cap, I told them, still kept loosing coolent, (told them so but they think they know more), dealer said needs new themostat, it is a recall item, I said fine, BUT I am not overheating then loosing fluid, I am loosing fluid and then overheating, they replaced the themostat on a friday, I told them to leave a spot open in the bay for Monday I knew it would not work.......still loosing fluid.......looked real hard and then saw small coolant leak behind the turbo just above the freeze plugs........could not tell if the head gasket was seeping or what.....took truck back, guess what the block has a hole it it.......Dodge and Cummins both know about this .....a flaw is the casting of the block, it is not uncommon, but they have not issued a TSB on it!!!!!.....Anyone else hear of this....I get a new short block >>>> jay brand <jay_brand@hotmail.com> Oak Harbor, WA USA - Friday, August 18, 2000 at 12:14:21 (EDT) from static-4-42.dsl.cnw.net

I have a 1986 Dodge pickup with a cummins diesel. Recently, at approx. 230,000 carefuly maintained miles, my motor oil was pumped out onto the street through, as my mechanic describes, a rotted through oil gallery passage. As this is unrepairable, I was forced to replace the entire engine, at great expence. I am told that this a "common problem". Can any one confirm this, or comment on it. Mark Shapiro <motomark@excite.com> Philadelphia, Pa USA - Monday, December 04, 2000 at 20:36:04 (EST) from ip5-72.dialup.phila.k12.pa.us

I just want to mention that Cummins does not recomend using the coolant additive in the B series engines because it is meant for engines with removable cylinders that move during operation due to combustion forces. This movement is what causes the cavitation of the outer cylinder walls, and the B series engine that is in the Dodge does not have removable cylinders therefore the coolant additive is not required. If you don't beleive me refer to the Freaquently Asked Questions under the dodge diesel section of the Cummins website. (www.cummins.com) Dallas <dji@telusplanet.net> CANADA - Monday, October 16, 2000 at 14:35:58 (EDT) from ookmail.nait.ab.ca

I have had a '96 2500 Dodge-Cummins since June'97 and I love it. But -- the batteries were replaced in june'98 and last week they went dead overnight. The dealer replaced them (electrical system checked OK) at MY cost. I was informed that because they had been replaced under the original warranty the battery waranty did not apply. This was confirmed by Chrysler info center when I called them. My point is what good are batteries that last only 2 years if the warranty is worthless. I would suggest to anyone out there that has battery problems that they DO NOT replace with Mopar batteries. I would be interested to know if this is a common problem. If so has anyone had better luck resolving it. Hal <hobowelder@msn.com> Daytona Beach, f USA - Monday, October 16, 2000 at 11:27:44 (EDT) from proxy.ord.netsetter.com

I have a '99 Dodge 2500 w/a diesel and 5spd. I have been researching the after market parts offered by Banks, Diesel Dynamics, Houston Performance, and TST Products. Does anyone have ideas on how far I should go for power? I am used to old Mopar 340's and know how far to push them. Not sure about diesel, though. I want max power w/out causing damage to my motor. Was looking at a TST kit with injectors that provides total of 425hp @ 965ft lbs of torque. They said the clutch should be changed in order to prevent slippage. I like the Psychotty air induction to help keeping the EGT lower. I figured this and a set of guages would be a good start. Any other companies you know that I could research? And what is the purpose of a turbo waste gate? Does the turbo need one? If I go with the TST kit, should the turbo be changed out for a bigger housing? I think mine is the 12 cm, but not sure. Any info would be appreciated. Thanx. Tony Anthony C. Griffith. North Las Vegas, NV USA - Monday, November 13, 2000 at 03:24:58 (EST) from ip96.las-vegas14.nv.pub-ip.psi.net

NAME - Ken, LOCATION - Idaho, VEHICLE DESCRIPTION - Dodge 2500 Cummins 5spd. WHY A DIESEL? - Needed the power to pull a 38ft. fifth wheel. GM didnt' have good diesel in 99. But haven't been able to get alot of info on the new Duramax. The magizines that have tested it haven't been to impressed they say it is quite overrated. Did see some dyno specs and from what I saw there I would say it is really overrated. Well I guess I will keep with Dodge and Cummins. I really like it, the power is awsome and the economy is great. Someone let me know about this Duramax that will not lie. The 6.2-6.5 website is a big dissapoinment. Just a site to brag and bash Ford and Dodge. Not that I want another Ford. WHY DID YOU CHOOSE A CHEVY/GMC? - Did not. Didn't have anything when I bought the one I have.

LOCATION - Houston TX, VEHICLE DESCRIPTION - 2001 2500 cummins i6 5 speed stick. WHY A DIESEL? - I put on a lot of miles and needed a big truck that gets good gas milage. I do a lot of traveling and pull variouse trailers. WHY DID YOU CHOOSE THE DODGE? - Before I purchased I spent about 2 months researching, talking to mechanics, and truck owners. The cummins has 40% less parts-that means less maintenance cost, better fuel milage- I get about 23mpg and I drive like a maniac! It also has external injectors. After talking to several mechanics I heard of the ford horror stories and the internal injector problems. Plus it's the best looking truck on the road. What really amazes me is the awesome (stock) power. I pull tree stumps out of the ground with this thing with no problem at all. Next time you see a ultra- mega- huge load being pulled look whats pulling it. DODGE

NAME - Bob Huber, LOCATION - VALPARAISO IN., VEHICLE DESCRIPTION - 1993 3/4 ton with Banks power pack. WHY A DIESEL? - I pull a 30 ft. travel trailer, and when you can pull up and down them hills and in the mountains when it's 90 degrees in the shade, the air on and smokin down the road at about 75 m.p.h. in overdrive and the temp guage is just slightly above the 1/4 mark, well what more can I say.Watch the pyrometer and let it happen at 14 and a half m.p. gallon. WHY DID YOU CHOOSE THE DODGE? - At the time, 1992, the cummins was the truck to buy. Done the Banks upgrade at 100 thousand mi. which got me out of third gear when pulling the trailer, Why even think about a new truck, this one is built to last.

NAME - Peter, LOCATION - Langley B.C. Canada, VEHICLE DESCRIPTION - 96 4x4 Auto standard cab. WHY A DIESEL? - For fuel ecomony and the power. WHY DID YOU CHOOSE THE DODGE? - My first truck was a 57 Fargo and I have been in love with Dodge trucks ever since. The Dodge with the Cummins Diesel is just what I needed to pull my equipment trailer and work on the farm. Any other Dodge/Fargo lovers out there E-mail me at pefea@axionet.com

NAME - Chris, LOCATION - Chester Springs PA, VEHICLE DESCRIPTION - 2001 dodge 2500 i6 cummins. WHY A DIESEL? - Sound, Power, Fun, Differant. WHY DID YOU CHOOSE THE DODGE? - Had a Ford Powerstroke, traded it in. PS sounds like it is pinging all the time with no power.

NAME - Kevin Lott, LOCATION - Idaho, VEHICLE DESCRIPTION - 95 one ton dually cummins. WHY A DIESEL? - Better fuel efficeincy and power. WHY DID YOU CHOOSE THE DODGE? - I also own a 2000 Ford F350 Crew Cab Power Stroke. Ford kicks ass all over my Dodge. Wake Up and smell the smoke. I own Six Dodges and will never buy another one.

NAME - S. Morris. LOCATION - Hutchinson Ks. VEHICLE DESCRIPTION - 2001 2500 Q/Cab 24v H/O Diesel 4X4 Long bed. WHY A DIESEL? - I owned my first 'real' diesel back in 1999, it was a 2000 F-350 with an auto tranny. It was a sharp truck but it just didn't have the "spunk" a turbo diesel is supposed to have, plus after reading articles on the powerstroke having 'cavitation' problems,(your engine actually gets a toothache from the inside and cause cancer to your engine block, to which there is no chemotherapy for), I owned this truck for 1 year and with only 7000 mi. on it, i traded it in for a Dodge 3/4 ton with all the bells and whistles, I pull a 16ft. car hauler and have a 5200 pound fithwheel camper. WHY DID YOU CHOOSE THE DODGE? - I bought the dodge because of no glow plugs, simplicity of the engine, and plus it makes heads turn when you start at a standstill and go through the gears hearing that turbo whistle, it's awsome!!not only that, but i've never driven a diesel that sits you back in your seat when you step on the gas. I'll always own a cummins diesel, it 'yanks' like no other when towing!!

NAME - Jeremy. LOCATION - Pasadena,MD. VEHICLE DESCRIPTION - 96 3/4ton Dodge 4x4 Cummins. WHY A DIESEL? - WHY DID YOU CHOOSE THE DODGE? - I recently bought a Cummins because??? For the past 5 years I have worked on a charter boat out of Ocean City on a boat powered by Cummins. 5 years 5000 hours never have had to turn a wrench on it... Need i say more.... I depend on Cummins diesels every day work or play.

NAME - Dave B. LOCATION - Sea. Wa. VEHICLE DESCRIPTION - 95 Ram 2500/ auto, 4x4 WHY A DIESEL? - I had talked to a lot of truckers, equipment operators, and other cummins owners before I bought mine> I was looking for a truck that would last, get good fuel mileage, and be able to handle pulling my 24 foot boat. I am very happy with it except for pulling my boat, It is a little short legged for that. I have 104000 on it now and am looking to jazz up the ponys a little. WHY DID YOU CHOOSE THE DODGE? - Dodge Cummins got the best recommendation from all the people I researched it with. Plus it is the best looking truck on the road

NAME - David J Johnson. LOCATION - Stockdale,Texas. VEHICLE DESCRIPTION - Dodge 3500 Single Cab SLT,5spd.,2wd. WHY A DIESEL? - I have an old 1992 Chevy Dually with the 6.5 turbo diesel. I liked it but it`s sort of old and weak and wanted to buy a new diesel truck to pull my 5th. wheel with and cattle trailer. WHY DID YOU CHOOSE THE DODGE? - I test drove 3 different Ford Power Strokes, two 3/4 tons each with 373 gears and one 1ton with 410 gears and was not as impressed as I was with the Dodge 1 ton with 354 gears. The Fords have goo-goobs of wires and sensors under the hood and look like high dollar to maintain. I`m a heavy equipment operator by trade (mainly cranes)and most of them have cummins diesels in them. You just don`t see many v/8 diesels in any equipment. Six cylinders pretty much rule that domain.

NAME - Carson Gibson. LOCATION - goshen ohio. VEHICLE DESCRIPTION - 1994 reg. cab 5sd tranny 12v I6 cummins 4x4. WHY A DIESEL? - for the towing power and fuel economy. WHY DID YOU CHOOSE THE DODGE? - I am 18 years old and brought my first diesel pickup truck. It is a 1994 dodge 3/4 ton 4x4 I6 cummins diesel. It had 130,000 miles on it when I brought it used in 1999. The truck has 160,00 miles on it today and no motor work what so ever has ever been done to it. You may ask "how does he know" well I brought the truck off my dad. He owned the truck brand new in 1994 and sold it to me when he brought his brand new 2000 dodge 3/4 ton 4x4 24 vale I6 cummins diesel. My 1994 has earned its keep around here. Its whole life has been a work truck for my dads construction co. From pulling Semi's out of the mud to towing D4's around. I have seen this truck do it all. And to top it off I am still on the orginal clutch. Yes the orginal clutch that came from the factory. I love the way it sounds. I have just cut the muffler and resinator out of the exhust system. The truck sounds so good now. Dodge uses only the best 4wheel drive componets in the world. From the 241NP transfer case to the NV4500 transmition to the Dana60 front axle to the beefy Dana80 axle in the real. This unit is bomb proff. I love passin Powerstrokes or what I call "Powerchokes" on any and every hill out there - loaded or unloaded, it doesn't matter. If any one is wandering what kind of diesel truck to buy, dodge and cummins is the best combo out there. Ford may try to sell you with their higher top speed but put that truck under a load or on a hill and you'll see who is passing who. Trust me. I would not have Air brused "STROKE THIS" on my tail gate for nothing. And for all those people who brought a powerstroke because its "quiter" than cummis YOU ALL NEED TO GET YOUR HEADS CHECKED BECAUSE A TRUE DIESEL IS SOPOSED TO BE LOUD. DUH! p.s. if anyone would like to e-mail me address is DODGE_RAM_MAN_1994@yahoo.com

NAME - Greg Dockins. LOCATION - Reno, NV. VEHICLE DESCRIPTION - 2001 2500 4x4 quad SWB H.O. 6 spd. WHY A DIESEL? - Power and gas mileage, wife also has 4 horses. WHY DID YOU CHOOSE THE DODGE? - First of all I am a mopar nut. Second, I have driven Ford PowerStrokes in 97 and earlier styles and also Superduties and was not as impressed with the power delivery as I was with the Cummins power plant. At a previous job I had the opportunity to drive the Dodges and was impressed with the pulling power + fuel mileage. My brother in law ownes a 97 powerstroke 4x4 crewcab with a Banks stinger kit and my truck still run circles around it, bone-stock.

NAME - Daniel Puckett. LOCATION - Loveland CO. VEHICLE DESCRIPTION - 93 D350 club cab 4x4dually 5 speed Gutrag. WHY A DIESEL? - I had a 92 with an automatic, and got 20+ mpg empty. I didn't like the way it ate TPSs at $200 a pop. I started looking for a 5 speed, and found a 4x4 dually with an aluminum flatbed for $9000. I am a little disappointed with the mpg (17 empty, if I keep my foot out of it, blame that on 4.10s). WHY DID YOU CHOOSE THE DODGE? - I bought the Cummins for the longevity. I plan to install an O/D splitter after installing a NV 4500 tranny. (the Getrag currently has 60k miles on it, and I think 10k or so left before it dies). I am also going to install a 16 cm Holset, Diesel Dynamics true torque injectors, and a 4" exhaust. With the stock turbo, I get about 15psi boost (at 5000ft). I found it for an excellent price ($9000 with 140K), and plan to keep it till 500- 600K, then rebuild the engine. I have put synthetic oil in the tranny, and plan to do it in t-case and diffs. My only gripe is the 4.10 gears- they cut both my fuel economy and top speed. 78 mph is about it, but I can also keep 70 while towing a 8000lb load up the hills on I25 between Cheyenne and Denver. My boss has a 94 IDI Ford Turbo diesel, and either of my Dodges will out pull it. and his only has 165Kmiles, and smokes (blue) like a chimney. My mom liked my 92 so well, she decided to buy it from me. She has a Chevy Celebrity that gets 29-30 mpg on the highway. I get 20-23 with the 92 auto, she ought to be able to get 23-25, and it is a club cab daully. I hear that Chevy's Duramax has 300hp and 520lb-ft torque. Big deal. for $1250, I can get 300+ hp, and 700+ lb ft torque. Beat that, GM. And I will put my stock Cummins up against any Powerstroke, and out-pull it.