Jake Brake
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Joined: Apr 2004
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From: Idaho
This was posted on anther DC webpage. Found it very informative and made up my mind for me in using my Jake brake. Larv
Anyone else use their brake all the time?
The advice I got from Jacobs Tech Support was to use the exhaust brake all the time; that's also the advice that I got from Cummins Rocky Mountain in Denver (who installed my exhaust brake). The Jacobs technician summarized it as, "Use it or lose it." It seems that the butterfly can carbon up and stick if it's not regularly exercised. There's an added bonus in that you save wear on your service brakes.
Regarding turning the brake off for starting or stopping the engine, there is an interlock (on the Jacobs unit) that is vacuum actuated. The brake can't engage until the engine has started and vacuum is being produced by the pump. Even then there's a brief delay before it engages. Jacobs also points out that having the exhaust brake on at idle helps to bring the engine up to temperature more quickly.
The bottom line: Just turn it on and leave it on. The only time I ever turned mine off was on long downgrades when I didn't want it activating and occasionally on very icy roads.
Tom Christian
Fort Collins, CO
Anyone else use their brake all the time?
The advice I got from Jacobs Tech Support was to use the exhaust brake all the time; that's also the advice that I got from Cummins Rocky Mountain in Denver (who installed my exhaust brake). The Jacobs technician summarized it as, "Use it or lose it." It seems that the butterfly can carbon up and stick if it's not regularly exercised. There's an added bonus in that you save wear on your service brakes.
Regarding turning the brake off for starting or stopping the engine, there is an interlock (on the Jacobs unit) that is vacuum actuated. The brake can't engage until the engine has started and vacuum is being produced by the pump. Even then there's a brief delay before it engages. Jacobs also points out that having the exhaust brake on at idle helps to bring the engine up to temperature more quickly.
The bottom line: Just turn it on and leave it on. The only time I ever turned mine off was on long downgrades when I didn't want it activating and occasionally on very icy roads.
Tom Christian
Fort Collins, CO
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Joined: Sep 2004
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From: Spokane WA
An exhaust brake should be used all the time..... We see lots of motorhomes that sit for days and weeks at a time..... those tend to soot and rust up.... so using the brake all the time is just good business.....
There has been a stop sale order on the jacobs unit based on some installation problems and related damage to the engine compartment from leaking exhaust gases at very high temperatures.....
There is some great information on this thread on the TDR sight and they've used a sticky to keep it at the top of the forum......
The PacBrake design has used a small air compressor to power the exhaust brake, thus leaving the stock belt in place so that 4 years down the road and your in some small town.. you won't have a problem getting a belt..... From what a couple of the Dodge dealers share with me..... this feature makes the PacBrake a few less dollars than the Jacobs unit....
I'm guessing that I can answer any specific questions.... Hope this has been some help...
Jim
There has been a stop sale order on the jacobs unit based on some installation problems and related damage to the engine compartment from leaking exhaust gases at very high temperatures.....
There is some great information on this thread on the TDR sight and they've used a sticky to keep it at the top of the forum......
The PacBrake design has used a small air compressor to power the exhaust brake, thus leaving the stock belt in place so that 4 years down the road and your in some small town.. you won't have a problem getting a belt..... From what a couple of the Dodge dealers share with me..... this feature makes the PacBrake a few less dollars than the Jacobs unit....
I'm guessing that I can answer any specific questions.... Hope this has been some help...
Jim
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From: Alabama
Look at www.usgear.com they have some brakes for the Dodge.
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Joined: Mar 2004
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From: Royce City Texas
Originally posted by tdupuis
My truck didn't come wih the jake brake, but I really want one for a combination of towing and (main reason) faster warm-ups. As I understand it, the Jacobs one is the one that can be put on without voiding the warranty or anything like that? Where's a good source for the kit?
My truck didn't come wih the jake brake, but I really want one for a combination of towing and (main reason) faster warm-ups. As I understand it, the Jacobs one is the one that can be put on without voiding the warranty or anything like that? Where's a good source for the kit?
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From: Indy
Went to my dealer a week or so ago and they told me DC wants the factory exhaust off my 04,,,, I told the Dealer I will run it till it it screws up,,, a day later I was using it without the trailer behind me and ALL HELL BROKE LOOSE,,, my dealer took it off and I got a fat check for labor and the brake,,,,
Had the dealer call DC and they would not tell them the reason for the recall,,,
Man, I miss it.....................
Had the dealer call DC and they would not tell them the reason for the recall,,,
Man, I miss it.....................
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Joined: May 2003
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From: Northern CA
What do you mean "ALL HELL BROKE LOOSE"? What happen? I had the Jake Brake installed by the dealer the day it came in and have not heard of a recall on the ones installed. All I have heard of is they were taken off the shelf.
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From: Indy
Sounded like screeching and marbles in a glass jar, REALLY LOUD,,,, My dealer Geoko Dodge, Noblesville, IN showed me the notice to remove alll exhaust brakes,,,, if you want to call service and talk to Gary Craft the service manager.... we could see anything wrong but sounded like all hell breaking loose
