Help!!


I've lost my mind and got another diesel- dumping the 68' 305 GMC and the VW tdi. Keeping the Mclass- CDI.


Can someone here list general things I should consider looking at/replacing at 91,000 miles and consider it is a 1991.

Belt/idler pulleys and tensioner?
Coolant?
Tuneup stuff-where do you order Cummings autoparts online??
How about a good online source for mopar stuff-I'll try the door pin/bushing
replacement.
How about changing diff fluid?

How about these A518 transmissions? I see threads on fluid changes and filter- but what /how and when do I adjust bands? Can I get a shop to do this and do it correctly?

With these trucks- do I find a dodge mechanic or some sort of cummings mechanic?

What type of fuel mileage is typical with these engines?? I'm in Ft Worth Texas if ANYONE wants to give a new owner a hand.

Michael

 

Welcome Sam,Iwish I could tell you what to look for at 91k but my 91' had 245k on it when I bought it.And right now Im in the process of replacing my injector pump.However you have come to the right place for good advise these boys on here have helped me out a TON over the last year.

 

Belt - if it looks OK, get a spare and throw it under the seat. Then it will never fail. The tensioner will let you know when it's bad by letting the belt walk into the alternator or off the fan clutch. When you look under the hood to check the oil, if the belt looks like it's gotten narrower it's time to swap the tensioner.

If you don't know when the coolant was changed, go ahead and do it. Green stuff is the right stuff.

http://www.genosgarage.com/ has Fleetguard (Cummins house brand) filters. There's really no other "tune-up" stuff to be done.

Depending on which side of the country you are on, http://chryslerpartsdirect.com/ or https://www.dodgeparts.com/ are dealers who sell online at mechanic rates. The door pins are at every auto parts store, check the "Help!" aisle.

The rear end lube should be changed if you don't know when it was done last. If it's a tow rig, a synthetic 85W-140 is a good choice. A conventional 80W-90 is fine for a truck that runs around empty most of the time.

Here's a thread I found on adjusting the bands. https://www.dieseltruckresource.com/...ad.php?t=94977
Any trans shop can do it, or you can do it yourself.

For the truck you want an old guy who knows Dodges, for the engine you want an old guy who knows diesels. He doesn't have to know Cummins diesels, a good VW or Mercedes diesel guy would be right at home if you know of one from experience with your other cars.

Figure on close (+/- 10%) to 20 mpg empty on the highway and close to 16 mpg in city traffic.

 

Thanks for the information!

Do these engines not require 24,000 mile valve adjustments or are they hydraulic lifters??

I'll probably do the door pin, oil change, diff oil change - Since I have to consider cost of lost work time- I'll do a new belt and tensioner.

Good source for Cummings parts? Is there anywhere to still get the cowl reinforcement plates???



Michael

 

Change the belt even if it looks good. Take the USED one and put it under the seat.

New ones take a while to break in and if you have to change one in the cold a new one will quite often snap because it isn't broke in yet. A good used one will slip right on and work without problems.

 

Solid lifters, they can go more like 50 - 75k between adjustments once they are broke in. Again, if you don't know when it was done, do it now. It's an easy driveway project, takes a couple hours the first time and about an hour the next time.

Cummins is a good source for Cummins parts, go to their website to locate your regional distributor. The best way to get stuff is to call the regional parts warehouse, the local service shops don't stock much for our old trucks. About all you can walk in and buy is an oil filter. Case equipment dealers can also help you with parts and their prices are good.

Cowl plates are discontinued. It's a DIY project now.

 

You might want to check the dodge website to see if your truck had is recall completed. I have a 91 and checked a few days ago and it wasn't completed so I am getting a new injector pump this week hopefully depending on if the part is in or not.

 

I'm curious about that as I have a 91 and it said all recalls had been completed....

 

lol. I took mine in today for the recall that wasn't completed thinking it was for the injector pump and it was for something in the steering wheel.

 

Thanks guys!

Do these A518 automatic transmission suppose to free-wheel when you let off the gas pedal.

Michael

 

They sure feel like it in OD. They don't really free-wheel though.