Need GOOD Cummins Shop near Dallas
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From: Texas
Need GOOD Cummins Shop near Dallas
I just bought an '03 3500 Quad/Dually 6spd manual with at least one cylinder with probable broken rings.
The truck is flawless at 109k miles (never used commercially), but I have LOTS of blow-by (I negotiated a good price).
I need to find the BEST shop around Dallas (I live 25mi South near Waxahachie) that will work w/ me to do the most economically efficient repair work on my engine.
I am looking for someone who is not just a R+R specialist, but a mechanic.
Thanks,
Bob
The truck is flawless at 109k miles (never used commercially), but I have LOTS of blow-by (I negotiated a good price).
I need to find the BEST shop around Dallas (I live 25mi South near Waxahachie) that will work w/ me to do the most economically efficient repair work on my engine.
I am looking for someone who is not just a R+R specialist, but a mechanic.
Thanks,
Bob
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Joined: Oct 2002
Posts: 219
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From: DFW, Texas
I just bought an '03 3500 Quad/Dually 6spd manual with at least one cylinder with probable broken rings.
The truck is flawless at 109k miles (never used commercially), but I have LOTS of blow-by (I negotiated a good price).
I need to find the BEST shop around Dallas (I live 25mi South near Waxahachie) that will work w/ me to do the most economically efficient repair work on my engine.
I am looking for someone who is not just a R+R specialist, but a mechanic.
Thanks,
Bob
The truck is flawless at 109k miles (never used commercially), but I have LOTS of blow-by (I negotiated a good price).
I need to find the BEST shop around Dallas (I live 25mi South near Waxahachie) that will work w/ me to do the most economically efficient repair work on my engine.
I am looking for someone who is not just a R+R specialist, but a mechanic.
Thanks,
Bob
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From: Texas
I guess I tend to have a fear of "dealership" type shops that tend to not care about the bill, and not work w/ an owner to get an "cost efficient" repair done.
I like working one-on-one w/ the guy doing the work, rather than a service-writer and an anonymous tech behind the concrete wall.
Maybe that fear is irrational?
Has anyone "here" been happy with their experiences there?
Bob
I like working one-on-one w/ the guy doing the work, rather than a service-writer and an anonymous tech behind the concrete wall.
Maybe that fear is irrational?
Has anyone "here" been happy with their experiences there?
Bob
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From: Ovilla, TX
I llive in Ovilla and had a mechanic out off Hwy 287 in Midlothian do an R & R on my injectors when one started leaking down. He's a transmission and diesel performance guy been doing it for 30 years, ASE Master Tech. He is very knowledgable and did a great job for me reasonably priced.
His company is James Trans Tech,
James Northum - cell -972-467-3702 He may not answer it right away but will return your call.
His company is James Trans Tech,
James Northum - cell -972-467-3702 He may not answer it right away but will return your call.
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I guess I tend to have a fear of "dealership" type shops that tend to not care about the bill, and not work w/ an owner to get an "cost efficient" repair done.
I like working one-on-one w/ the guy doing the work, rather than a service-writer and an anonymous tech behind the concrete wall.
Maybe that fear is irrational?
Has anyone "here" been happy with their experiences there?
Bob
I like working one-on-one w/ the guy doing the work, rather than a service-writer and an anonymous tech behind the concrete wall.
Maybe that fear is irrational?
Has anyone "here" been happy with their experiences there?
Bob
The people at the shop were very friendly, they never had a problem answering my questions and had no problem letting me talk to the mechanic working on my truck. When it was almost done, I needed it the next day, and hung out at their shop until they finished it at midnight.
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From: DFW, Texas
I have had good luck with Cummins south plains. They are not cheep but the big ole Cummins is is not a exactly a V8 gasser that most dealership techs could work on.
They will get it done right and have access to all the Cummins parts and tech support. Most of the time you get what you pay for. Rather have them working on it than a Dodge dealer. I have heard about James Northum and it all seems to be good. Word is he does know the trans in these trucks.
They will get it done right and have access to all the Cummins parts and tech support. Most of the time you get what you pay for. Rather have them working on it than a Dodge dealer. I have heard about James Northum and it all seems to be good. Word is he does know the trans in these trucks.
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From: Texas
Actually, I visited Cummins North Plains (on Irving) today and spoke with one of their service techs (very pleasant fellow), and was advised that they do not generally work on Dodge Cummins engines newer than 2002.
This is because Dodge refuses to provide any support of the electronics attached to the engines, and because Cummins started selling their engines to Dodge in 2003 w/ the provisio that NO warranty or mechanical support would be offered to Dodge customers through Cummins.
He said they WILL do oil changes, and some limited mechanical service, and would (If I signed that if there were electronics problems I was on-my-own) do more mechanical-only work.
I pressed a bit and was told if I was OK w/ that "waiver," it would cost $2000 labor plus parts to pull the head (to see if a broken ring scored the cylinder wall), and if the block needed to be pulled for any work (like a sleeve), the minimum labor charges started at $5500 plus parts and any additional machine-shop labor for the actual repair.
That would make the minimum likely to sleeve one cylinder with one new piston and rings about $7000 with tax minimum. I would guess a full overhaul would easily exceed $8000 with tax and all.
I got the idea that this is their way of discouraging people from using their facilities by Dodge owners.
Bob
This is because Dodge refuses to provide any support of the electronics attached to the engines, and because Cummins started selling their engines to Dodge in 2003 w/ the provisio that NO warranty or mechanical support would be offered to Dodge customers through Cummins.
He said they WILL do oil changes, and some limited mechanical service, and would (If I signed that if there were electronics problems I was on-my-own) do more mechanical-only work.
I pressed a bit and was told if I was OK w/ that "waiver," it would cost $2000 labor plus parts to pull the head (to see if a broken ring scored the cylinder wall), and if the block needed to be pulled for any work (like a sleeve), the minimum labor charges started at $5500 plus parts and any additional machine-shop labor for the actual repair.
That would make the minimum likely to sleeve one cylinder with one new piston and rings about $7000 with tax minimum. I would guess a full overhaul would easily exceed $8000 with tax and all.
I got the idea that this is their way of discouraging people from using their facilities by Dodge owners.
Bob
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From: Oregon
Actually, I visited Cummins North Plains (on Irving) today and spoke with one of their service techs (very pleasant fellow), and was advised that they do not generally work on Dodge Cummins engines newer than 2002.
This is because Dodge refuses to provide any support of the electronics attached to the engines, and because Cummins started selling their engines to Dodge in 2003 w/ the provisio that NO warranty or mechanical support would be offered to Dodge customers through Cummins.
He said they WILL do oil changes, and some limited mechanical service, and would (If I signed that if there were electronics problems I was on-my-own) do more mechanical-only work.
I pressed a bit and was told if I was OK w/ that "waiver," it would cost $2000 labor plus parts to pull the head (to see if a broken ring scored the cylinder wall), and if the block needed to be pulled for any work (like a sleeve), the minimum labor charges started at $5500 plus parts and any additional machine-shop labor for the actual repair.
That would make the minimum likely to sleeve one cylinder with one new piston and rings about $7000 with tax minimum. I would guess a full overhaul would easily exceed $8000 with tax and all.
I got the idea that this is their way of discouraging people from using their facilities by Dodge owners.
Bob
This is because Dodge refuses to provide any support of the electronics attached to the engines, and because Cummins started selling their engines to Dodge in 2003 w/ the provisio that NO warranty or mechanical support would be offered to Dodge customers through Cummins.
He said they WILL do oil changes, and some limited mechanical service, and would (If I signed that if there were electronics problems I was on-my-own) do more mechanical-only work.
I pressed a bit and was told if I was OK w/ that "waiver," it would cost $2000 labor plus parts to pull the head (to see if a broken ring scored the cylinder wall), and if the block needed to be pulled for any work (like a sleeve), the minimum labor charges started at $5500 plus parts and any additional machine-shop labor for the actual repair.
That would make the minimum likely to sleeve one cylinder with one new piston and rings about $7000 with tax minimum. I would guess a full overhaul would easily exceed $8000 with tax and all.
I got the idea that this is their way of discouraging people from using their facilities by Dodge owners.
Bob
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From: Texas
Personally, I see $8k as too much for a probable broken ring (even if it scored a cylinder bore). There are other solutions.
Buying a good used engine, even for $6k on ebay, and installing it (+$1000 to swap), then disassembling my own and farming out the machine work, and re-selling my engine would be a LOT cheaper, and would put me back on the road a LOT quicker than slowly fixing my own engine w/ my truck disabled.
I am still looking into finding local independents who are flexible. I understand that a shop like Cummins North Plains is not cost-conscious since most of their customers are fleet operators to whom an $8k repair is dwarfed by the down-time cost of screwing around like I can afford to do. For them, if the truck sits, it costs them a fortune. Not so me.
Plus, the truck runs perfectly, and while I hesitate to drive it lest I possibly do damage, I can if I have to, so it's not quite a "lawn ornament," yet.
Bob
Buying a good used engine, even for $6k on ebay, and installing it (+$1000 to swap), then disassembling my own and farming out the machine work, and re-selling my engine would be a LOT cheaper, and would put me back on the road a LOT quicker than slowly fixing my own engine w/ my truck disabled.
I am still looking into finding local independents who are flexible. I understand that a shop like Cummins North Plains is not cost-conscious since most of their customers are fleet operators to whom an $8k repair is dwarfed by the down-time cost of screwing around like I can afford to do. For them, if the truck sits, it costs them a fortune. Not so me.
Plus, the truck runs perfectly, and while I hesitate to drive it lest I possibly do damage, I can if I have to, so it's not quite a "lawn ornament," yet.
Bob
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Joined: Oct 2002
Posts: 219
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From: DFW, Texas
Actually, I visited Cummins North Plains (on Irving) today and spoke with one of their service techs (very pleasant fellow), and was advised that they do not generally work on Dodge Cummins engines newer than 2002.
This is because Dodge refuses to provide any support of the electronics attached to the engines, and because Cummins started selling their engines to Dodge in 2003 w/ the provisio that NO warranty or mechanical support would be offered to Dodge customers through Cummins.
He said they WILL do oil changes, and some limited mechanical service, and would (If I signed that if there were electronics problems I was on-my-own) do more mechanical-only work.
I pressed a bit and was told if I was OK w/ that "waiver," it would cost $2000 labor plus parts to pull the head (to see if a broken ring scored the cylinder wall), and if the block needed to be pulled for any work (like a sleeve), the minimum labor charges started at $5500 plus parts and any additional machine-shop labor for the actual repair.
That would make the minimum likely to sleeve one cylinder with one new piston and rings about $7000 with tax minimum. I would guess a full overhaul would easily exceed $8000 with tax and all.
I got the idea that this is their way of discouraging people from using their facilities by Dodge owners.
Bob
This is because Dodge refuses to provide any support of the electronics attached to the engines, and because Cummins started selling their engines to Dodge in 2003 w/ the provisio that NO warranty or mechanical support would be offered to Dodge customers through Cummins.
He said they WILL do oil changes, and some limited mechanical service, and would (If I signed that if there were electronics problems I was on-my-own) do more mechanical-only work.
I pressed a bit and was told if I was OK w/ that "waiver," it would cost $2000 labor plus parts to pull the head (to see if a broken ring scored the cylinder wall), and if the block needed to be pulled for any work (like a sleeve), the minimum labor charges started at $5500 plus parts and any additional machine-shop labor for the actual repair.
That would make the minimum likely to sleeve one cylinder with one new piston and rings about $7000 with tax minimum. I would guess a full overhaul would easily exceed $8000 with tax and all.
I got the idea that this is their way of discouraging people from using their facilities by Dodge owners.
Bob
I agree with others that your probably better off with a finding a diesel mech and parts or rebuilt engine.
Good Luck!
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get the magazine called the little salesman ... I get them because I am a truck driver and o/o and they have new , low mileage under 100 miles and also rebuilt ones ... all come with warranty .. from 20 grand to 5 grand ... the high priced one was a 6.7 and even saw one with the full electronics and exhaust with dlp .... so there are places to get them cheaper ... sell your old one .. pull the head .. and check the cylinder wall and just pull the sleeve and replace the rings and have the piston checked ... sell the whole Eng with studs and have the heads done polish and port them and have either fire ring or just have the heads or O-Ring
and find a turbo a bit larger from a lot of places and sell your old one ... you can get a good 10 to 12 grand for your old one and that pays for the new you you picked up and have money to add the extras you want on your truck or Eng ... just a thought ... if it were not that I have a son in law that is a diesel mechanic that can do the work .. and I find parts from all kinds of places at give away prices or they jive them to me .... just ask around at performance shops and get stuff ppl do not want anymore they are new but they decided to get a different part instead and the shop ends up with them paid for ... so I just ask to see if they have what I am looking for
Hope this helped out ... I live just south of Dallas and there is a small Diesel shop just a could miles from me that will do things that are simple like timing the injectors and install springs in my p pump and he does it for trade for my electronic work and also parts
and find a turbo a bit larger from a lot of places and sell your old one ... you can get a good 10 to 12 grand for your old one and that pays for the new you you picked up and have money to add the extras you want on your truck or Eng ... just a thought ... if it were not that I have a son in law that is a diesel mechanic that can do the work .. and I find parts from all kinds of places at give away prices or they jive them to me .... just ask around at performance shops and get stuff ppl do not want anymore they are new but they decided to get a different part instead and the shop ends up with them paid for ... so I just ask to see if they have what I am looking for
Hope this helped out ... I live just south of Dallas and there is a small Diesel shop just a could miles from me that will do things that are simple like timing the injectors and install springs in my p pump and he does it for trade for my electronic work and also parts
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Actually, this is an old thread, and I used James Northum - cell -972-467-3702 to do the engine R+R, and had my engine remanned at S.Houston Engine Service.
The first time it never broke in right, and used a qt of oil every 600-700mi. Finally after 2+ years of my squawking they re-rebuilt it free and it now uses ZERO oil.
The gaggle ended up costing me a LOT of money (about $10,000 total), but for that I got the reman engine, new fan, water pump, belts, hoses, clutch, pressure plate, and had the transmission remanned as well (slightly noisy input shaft bearing under load in 1st and 2nd gear only).
Finally no blow-by, 23-28mpg fuel economy, and it runs like a Swiss watch.
If I'd known THEN what I know NOW I might have done it differently, but the way it worked out did give me a truck I love with hopefully a few hundred thousand relatively trouble-free miles.
The first time it never broke in right, and used a qt of oil every 600-700mi. Finally after 2+ years of my squawking they re-rebuilt it free and it now uses ZERO oil.
The gaggle ended up costing me a LOT of money (about $10,000 total), but for that I got the reman engine, new fan, water pump, belts, hoses, clutch, pressure plate, and had the transmission remanned as well (slightly noisy input shaft bearing under load in 1st and 2nd gear only).
Finally no blow-by, 23-28mpg fuel economy, and it runs like a Swiss watch.
If I'd known THEN what I know NOW I might have done it differently, but the way it worked out did give me a truck I love with hopefully a few hundred thousand relatively trouble-free miles.
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