I ordered my 600 on 12/23/03 recieved it on 2/2/04. The minute I drove it off the lot I noticed a horrible noise from the engine. Sounds like valve pinging. Dealer and others on DTR said was normal. I couldn't accept it so I took it to dealer service center. Mechanic rode with me and said "dang thats bad, how old it this truck, it shouldn't be doing that". The service advisor sent a question to Chrysler about the noise. Chrysler said it is normal. I asked very angrily how the h*** do they know if its normal they haven't even heard it. Took it back today, same answer, well call Chrysler and speak to them directly. Maybe I can call them on my cell and hold the phone out the window while driving. Maybe I'll get lucky and throw a rod through the phone. "Can you hear me now?"

Truck also had the miss others are talking about. They did check that out and found gas in the tank. They didn't want to cover draining the tank but I not so kindly explained that If there was gas in it, Dodge or the dealer had to have put it in there as it was doing it when I left the lot.

On top of everything else, it sounds like I have a crop duster sitting in the bed ready to take off when I hit 65 mph

I hope all of this is really just a software problem, but I'm not getting my hopes up.

 

SOunds like a BAD one to me, especially if there was GAS in the tank of a CTD
The other noise from the bed may be from lack of fluid in the rear end, I would have them check the level. For the 03's they were shipping them about a quart low and there is a rummor that the 04.5's are coming that way also

 

Would seem to me that if there was gas in the tank, all bets are off for how it's going to run, sound, and behave. Before saying it's a lemon you should get it running on diesel. Well, the dealer should get it running on diesel.

I'd get on the phone and make sure that's documented in writing. Call/email the cummins powermaster (direct powermaster@cummins.com I think) and ask about it. Long term effects.

If nothing else they should drain/refill the tank for their error.

 

The ping could be caused by the gas, I've seen it before. How many miles are were and are on the truck? First thing is drain the fuel tank and change the fuel filter. Get some diesel fuel conditioner, and run double the recomended dose for the first ank. You may get lucky, and that is all that needs to be done.

 

Park it at the front door of the dealership, walk in and pitch the keys to the owner of the place. Demand a brand new truck just like the one you have and thats it. I wouldnt even waste the time thinking about this!! You are the customer!! You paid big $$$$$$$'s for the thing. Dont accept just draining the tank and putting diesel conditioner in. It may start to run ok but if youre already hearing all these loud noises then thats detonation and that has already caused at least some internal engine damage!! GET ANOTHER TRUCK PERIOD!!! Dont want to see you get screwed!!

 

stack-climber do I ever feel sorry for you. I can only give you my advice an that won't be good enough because ultimately its going to be your decision what to do. Whatever you decide to do just make sure its something you can live with for how ever long you own this particular truck or your not really gonna be happy. Trust me. Good luck man.

 

Yell Right!.....Like he is going to walk in and pitch the keys to the owner. Sounds good, I guess as long as it isn't you. Your so for of it, your eyes must be brown. First off, it's now his truck. He is responsible for it and the loan he took to buy the thing. I don't think he's going to toss the keys to anybody, nor would you! I do agree there is something very strange about his truck. And it could very well be that it was filled with gasoline by accident, and they drained the truck and were hoping for the best, who knows? I will bet they find out soon though. Your best bet now is to work with the dealer and not against him. Dodge or any other dealer that sells trucks has a certain procedure to follow, so give it a chance. Things take time and being about the matter will only slow down the system, and in the end it is you who will be affected. The dealer has a truck to drive home at night, think about it. You can store your anger till matter in the process, if and when there is a problem. Old hot head Pete, can mouth-off all he wants, he is not the one with the bad truck, you are. Chances are he wouldn't open his trap either, so play it smart.
Also, why should you give a rats butt if it blows up? You get a new engine and off you go, it might even be a blessing? When I was in the Army,I started out on M60A3 tank. They had a large flat 12 cylinder diesel that was not very reliable. Well I'll take that back, it was consistent at breaking down. Any how the mechanics could not give you a new engine (pack) unless it was broken, even if they new it was on it's last leg. So I soon learned that if I new we were going on an exercise, and my PACK was in bad shape, it's much easier and more convenient to change them before I get in 5 foot deep mud! So, I became a master at blowing one up in the motor pool, I got my new engine, it was a nice area to change it, and uncle SAM got to spend $100,000.00 of everyones hard earned Tax money. It's a win-win situation. Don't worry about it, you might get a chance to enjoy spending a few dollars of Dodges money. Also, don't fret the money thing, It makes no difference weather your truck cost 40g's or 20, it's still broke.

 

Well y-knot is right about one thing - don't listen to the people trying to get you all pumped up to go in there and raise hell. They would never do that in person, or if they did, they wouldn't be very successful. It's a pretty stupid concept, yell at someone you want and need something from... Good luck to you, and if you work with the dealer hopefully things will all be fixed up. If it turns out to run fine after the gas was replaced with diesel, don't fret about the possible damage - it's a Cummins, they are like tanks(reliable ones)

 

Y-not. The dealer is already on the defensive not wanting to cover draining the tank. The man stated that it was doing this when he left the lot. No I would not start raising he!! until they started there crap about not covering this or that. It was doing it from day one. You may lay down and take it and thats fine thats you! This guy bought this truck to get that great reliability of the Cummins engine. They may be able to drain the tank and put in conditioner and all that but if he has been hearing all this abnormal noise then even if they get it to stop with the tank drain and all, the engine no matter the brand will not last as long as it should have when its been run with fuel with such a low flash piont (Detonation). I agree that in most cases you will get more done the diplomatic way, but from what this guy is saying this AINT one of them. Dont underestimate the power you have as the consumer. The sales manager I delt with on my 01 3500 Ram tried to pull a bait and switch on me and I cought him lying red handed. Delt with the owner and got satisfaction and the truck I wanted. When I got my customer survey in the mail I filled it out and sent it in with the full story about what happened and guess what. I got a call from the dealership owner saying they had been contacted by DC because of my survey they recieved. He stated that he was sorry and that I had every reason to be angry. The sales manager lost his job and I have not lost any sleep over it yet. Dont lie!! I would not have got satisfaction being nice and the guy that started this post wont either. Y-not you worry about blowing up tanks and costing us money and I'll take care of this end.

 

I would verify ,confirm the gas and pull out a sample for further evaluation........straight gas can do a lot of damage to a d. end...that way you have some proof........mabe have a witness???

 

OK guys, I didn't mean to start a fight.
I do apreciate all of the help though.

Don't think I havn't considered 03CumminZ4X4's idea. I talked to the dealer again today and he stated that he would have an answer for me tomorrow. He said DC is still saying the noise is normal. I told him that I would be on his lot Saturday morning and I will drive three of the truck on his lot and if the noise is normal all three better sound just like mine.

As far as the new engine replacement goes he did mention that and I told him if I wanted an engine replacement I would have replaced the 318 in my old truck and it wouldn't have cost $38,000.00 I don't know about where you guys live but in Arkansas they have four chances to fix and then the manufacturer gets a final notice to fix so five chances in all. Also, if the repair they want to make substantially decreases the value of your automobile it is deemed a lemon. I asked the sales manager how much he would give me for my two week old truck if it had a rebuilt or replaced engine. You should have seen the blank look he gave me and then tried to joke it off. Whats funny is I wasn't joking. The most frustrating part is I traded a 98 1/2 ton 318 with 243,860 original miles on it, the only thing I ever replaced on that truck was fuel pump, water pump, torque converter, oil pump, and the normal stuff plugs, belts, etc..
I drive aprox. 1,000 miles a week so I thought man if I can get that kind of service out of a 318 think what I could get from a Cummins. So far its shear dissapointment. Other than the crop duster in the rear end the rest of the truck is a dream. Ride is excellent, handles like a dream, and with the infinity sound system I can pop in a little Metalica and the banging in the engine sounds like a drum solo on my valve cover.

No matter what I will always drive a Dodge and if they Lemon this one I'll just order another one and cross my fingers.

 

My new 600 sounds weird as well .A lot different then the 03 ,there is a very noticable rattle under light throttle.Feels and gets power totally different then the 305 engine did.I think part of it is the 3rd fuelling event and part of it is the big ole exaust restriction.Someone is going to have to steal my kitty

 

Just talked to the dealer.
Service advisor said that DC told him that they were having trouble with the rocker arm hitting the valve cover and that there is a new program coming out mid March.
Can someone explain to me how a program is going to stop a rocker arm from clanging a valve cover.
I think I'm still getting the run around.
I again told him I would be on his lot tomorrow to drive three trucks and if its normal then all trucks should make this noise.

As I was typing the above the shop supervisor for the dealer called me and stated that he had talked with Cummins directly and they stated that the noise is normal and is due to the three injection events. They told him that a new program would be out around the first of March.

So what is it "rocker arms and valve covers" or the infamous "three injection events"

Next I'll be hearing it's a mexican trapped in the oil pan sending morse code.

I don't know how much more I can take.

 

I dont know what your dealer is up against.But if you rocker arm is hitting your valve cover you would know it it would be a very loud and ugly noise.The rocker arm pivots up and down, follows camshaft motion to open the corresponding valve. The valve cover sits on top of the cylinder head covers some of the valve train components and is sealed with a gasket to keep the oil inside the engine and the crap out.On the 03and early 04 models there are two fuel injection events per one comeplete cycle of one cylinder.On the new 600 there are now three events per one cycle. I beleive the noise i have to be normal just more noticable now that the engine is even quieter than my 03 was.Drive a couple of trucks and see if they make the same noise chances are they will ,Good luck.

 

If you don't get satisfaction after doing your due dilligence, stand on public ground in front of the dealership with a protest sign on one of the busiest 3 day weekends. Only state facts, (opinions are subjective)! You have the right to assemble peaceably. Do it!! I think the G.M. will get involved!

"You catch mores flies with honey..."

Be careful, and good luck I just dumped my lemon after 100K miles and know exactly how you feel!