Yeah it's actually been a month or so since it was fixed. So far so good. I didn't post anything about it at the time because it wasn't that big of a deal. It did take 2 visits to the dealer because they had to order the gasket.

 

Not trying to start up any war, BUT....It amuses me to hear some of you people flaming Dodge and Cummins for something so trivial. I have probably owned 60 vehicles since I started driving 44 years ago. Amongst them: 1957 Chevy (first car), (2) Porsches, several Ford products including a Turbo T-Bird, at least 30, but probably 40 VW products, a 99 GMC that just blew its guts at 62,000 miles, etc.

I will just say this: My 2004 1/2 Quad Cab makes every one of them seem like junk!

Mechanical goods are subject to mechanical failure. When you concider the hundreds (more like thousands) of components that could be causing problems, a freeze plug is pretty minor. Even if you ignore it, along with all of the gages and run the truck into the ground.......it is covered by an incredible warranty.
I have built race cars from scratch that were extrememy simple and crude in comparison to this truck, and again.....compared to this truck with all of the technology incorporated, my best efforts were junk.
My choice is to give em a break, along with a chance to make things right, and go on enjoying the wonderful product.
I also believe the possibility of a few CTDs having a loose 2 -bit freeze plug is nothing compared to $3000. worth of injectors or total tranny failures in another brand names product.
Just my opinion.
Mike

 

Yes and I believe they're meant to protect the block from cracking if it freezes.

If the block does freeze the resulting expansion pressure will force and push the plugs out, rather than crack the block.

Like strain relief.

 

I hear you Mike, and I agree. Having just come out of a very problematic Ford, I know what I'm talking about. It IS irritating though that when you plunk down 40 large, something as trivial as "a 2-bit freeze plug" as you say, could warrant an engine replacement on a brabd-spankin'-new vehicle.

Not to mention downtime of the truck. I haven't received a call from my dealer yet. And, luckily, I can be without the truck for a day or two, because I have another vehicle to drive. Some people who use their trucks for business, or their only transportation, may not have that luxury.

Another thing that just occurred to me: if this is such an important issue, why isn't DC issuing a WRITTEN recall, rather than just depend on some salesman to call you. Having worked in retail myself, I must say that a lot of those calls are not going to get made.

 

Some good updates over on the TDR. One guy had to call three dealers before someone knew what the heck he was talking about. Plus, only certain VINs are affected. So you may say "no news is good news", no call, so my VIN must not be affected?

I would say no....be proactive and CALL your dealer to check, because I would NOT trust the dealer to call you.

I'm going on a trip this weekend, but I'll give a call next week.

 

I agree with the "tolerate or accept the little problems" mentaility to a point. But a "2 bit freeze plug" that blows out in the middle of no where is not trivial. Quailty control of manufacturing is the big 3's down fall. However at least they seem to be getting better.

Here is the bottom line and I hope the manufactures are listening. Build quality, reliable, long lasting, affordable, and appealing products and you will crush the compeition. If you don't the compeition will crush you. You do not have to look any farther than Toyota to see this proven out. Ford used to dominate the sedan market. Now who dominates....Toyota. Why....because they give the customer what they want in exchange for their hard earned money. It is that simple. If Toyota or other similar companies begin manufacturing true full size trucks things won't be pretty for the big 3.

Hey I just want a vehicle that I can depend on and be proud to own. There is no excuse for problems with a machine. Either it works or it doesn't. Finding problems is for the R & D stage of product development not during Mr. and Mrs. Smith's trip to the grocery to pickup some milk. Is it that difficult??????

 

You bring up excellent points, Papa.

 

Mike,
Couldn't agree more with your post. I don't understand this sky is falling syndrome everytime some one posts a problem with their truck. Nothing is perfect, and not being argumentative, neither is Toyota from personal experience. Nor M-B, BMW, Posrche et al. This also from previous ownership. Why not enjoy your vehicle instead of a constant search for problems. Just my opinion.
Ed

 

Some of us are once-bitten, twice shy. I personally don't relish the idea of a possible engine replacement on a brand new truck.

 

The freeze plugs have nothing to do with freezing or protecting the engine during a freeze.
Their purpose is to plug a hole in the casting that was required during the casting process. In order to make the complicated shape of a head or engine block in the form of a casting, and retain the thin but uniform wall thicknesses of the ports and combustion chamber areas, there has to be a core held in place while the liquid metal is poured into the mold. These cores are made of compacted semi rigid sand pieces. They make hollow places in the castings that become the ports and water jacket voids. They are held in place at the "freeze" plug sites during the casting process. Later, those holes are machined to round and a simple, cup shaped plug is driven in.
I think, long ago, marketing came up with the term freeze plug and the name stuck. Core plug would be more accurate.


Wetspirit

 

Thanks Wetspirit for the informative explaination of freeze plugs. It makes perfect sense!

What bothers me the most about these troubles with the 600 dodges is this. The truck itself seems good. It is the engine that is having the problems! And the engine is the meat and potatoes of any vehicle. If you don't have power, you have a coaster wagon. And what good is that? I can deal with an interior trim molding not fitting just right or a seat that is not super comfy but when it comes to a $5000.00 optional super engine. Well that better be perfect. Just because Ford and GM have engine problems that maybe more severe doesn't make up for it. I am not buying a Ford or GM.

Do or do not, there is no try.

 

Dealer I bought my truck from had four leakers today. Took my truck in tonight so it can be tested in the morning. Another item on all of this, if your truck was dealer traded, the vin notice is going to the dealer who originally ordered the truck, not the one you purchased it from. Right now it appears that DC is going after the trucks that are on the dealers lot or about to be delivered. Very interesting situation.

 

What I am really wanting is some build dates for the vehicles infected with "freeze plug syndrome"! I sure hope my brand new truck that is on its way from Texas as we speak is not infected. I will have to order a third truck! Maybe I will have a truck by Christmas.........

4 trucks on one lot sounds like a big problem to me. Oh well I guess it is just a toss of the dice.

 

It's too bad that the manufacturers have to be in the middle of a horsepower race, while coming up with the latest and greatest styling tricks, while having to improve emissions, and sell at the lowest possible price! Sheesh.
I love my Dodge and beleive in it thoroughly. Plan to keep it for the rest of my life.
I think we are all a bit touchy after hearing about, or experiencing first hand, the problems that can come from the manufacturers trying to save a few cents or selling new technology before the bugs are worked out.
Brand loyalty is another interesting thing. I have always liked Dodges. It means I have been willing to put up with their shortcommings and praise their strengths. I have also loved diesels since I was a kid. Even wrote to Clessy (sp) Cummins when I was a kid and asked him a turbocharger question. He wrote back too!
I'm not here to flame other manufacturers, but just as an example of my dissapointment, it cost me $5,000. to keep my 6.9 Ford running for 100,000 miles, and when I went in to get my new injection pump, they told me the pump had been cheapened from the Intermational design. I bought that truck because it had an International Diesel in it! Ford saved a few cents on that pump and I paid $1,100. for a new one.
If you can't rely on a Cummins, just what can you rely on? We are all so lucky to have these wonderful trucks! I don't expect to have any problems but if something shows up I'll remind myself that this is a machine, it came off an assembly line with humans overseeing it, and profit driving the whole enterprise.
I'll get it fixed and continue to view a big wonderful world out the window, as I sit somewhere in the universe, and the earth turns, gracefully, beneath my wheels.

Wetspirit

 

Freeze plugs are just that, they are made of light material (originally were made of lead) to provide a line of least resistance to protect the block from cracking due to freezing coolant which expands when freezing.

With all the "little problems" the 600 is having, has anyone seen or started a list of these problems? Would be kind of neat to have as a bargaining chip when trying to get warranty, or negotiating a buy price.