As I understand it, using an "unapproved" filter CAN/DOES cause the filter media to break down, get into the engine and clog the piston cooling ports. I cannot speculate if that happened in your case, but there are several documented failures caused by this.

I have heard from a lot of people that the Mobil filters are good - but the fact remains that they are not on the list. The "approved filters" can be found here:
http://dodgeram.info/tsb/2001/09-004-01.htm - that is assuming your truck is a 24V.

The weasely part of the TSB is:

"NOTE: SECTION 2.7 OF THE TRUCK WARRANTY MANUAL STATES DAIMLERCHRYSLER MOTORS CORPORATION IS NOT RESPONSIBLE FOR FAILURES RESULTING FROM IMPROPER REPAIR OR THE USE OF PARTS WHICH ARE NOT GENUINE DAIMLERCHRYSLER MOTORS CORPORATION / MOPAR OR DAIMLERCHRYSLER MOTORS CORPORATION / MOPAR APPROVED PARTS. DAMAGES CAUSED BY THE USE OF OIL FILTER NOT APPROVED BY DAIMLERCHRYSLER MAY NOT BE COVERED BY THE NEW VEHICLE WARRANTY. DAIMLERCHRYSLER RECOMMENDS THE FOLLOWING OIL FILTERS. DO NOT USE ANY OIL FILTER CONTAINING NEOPRENE. PLEASE SHARE THIS WITH YOUR CUSTOMERS"

You didnt mention what year your truck is or how many miles it has. In buying a used Cummins its especially important to try and determine what type of maintenence the truck had before you bought it (even if it did come from a dealer). Most times this type of info. is hard if not impossible to get.


It's hard to believe that Cummins tossed your oil filter (at least without cutting it open), and didnt take an oil sample. You must have stumbled into the WORST Cummins shop there is !!!

I cant speculate why DC doesnt give us this info. and just expects us to find it out. I guess, they expect you to go to the dealer and trust them to give you the right parts. Personally, I have had to pick up this info. from this and other similar websites - Im not a dealer or a mechanic.

You can find TSB's here (all of them I believe): www.alldata.com

Im not sure how much help that is....just passing along info.

 

Dr. Evil, thanks so much for passing info...as you can see this has been a nightmare....

Please refer to this post from me to Mexstan....explaining the oil filter and the attachment of the report from Cummins Northeast......

https://www.dieseltruckresource.com/...16917;start=15

We assume the oil filter was tossed after being cut off because the warranty corp adjuster was present during that procedure and all were under the impression that they were going to cover the repair....

Thanks

 

1998 Dodge CTD 2500 inservice in June/1998

 

Yes, it is a 24 valve!

 

I do hate to tell you this but when the first 24 Valves came out in 98 - there were unfortunately an inordinate number of lemons in that model year. My buddy had one - he had nothing but trouble with it. He went through 5 lift pumps, eventually took out the injector pump and #1 cylinder. DC ended up repairing it but he had a huge fight on his hands. I have also heard of a lot of other people that have had a large number of problems with this year.

I dont think its ever a good idea to buy anything that is supposedly "new and improved" - before all the bugs out have been worked out.

 

Dr Evil....thanks for the heads up on the lemons from that year! I have done more research and found a problem related to the #4 piston specifically, a tsb was sent out by Cummins, on this issue. Interesting I stumbled on it.

http://dodgeram.info/tsb/2000/cummins01-06-00.htm

Last winter was cold here...we plugged in the truck several hours before we expected to use it to warm the block, we didn't use it much though due to the Goodyear's on it not having very good tread. The Black grocery getter was our vehicle of choice thru the passed winter with it's Michelins. Upon shutting down the engine, when I did use the diesel, I did infact make sure the temp was above 140, this I had knowledge on. I did research cold starts and etc.

After reading this TSB, the questions are....was the 4th piston bent, thus, causing the brass in the oil, due to the previous owners lack of plugging it in or making sure the engine temp was 140, when shutting down? This inturn would roll the bearing? or cause the carbon build up in the upper exhaust valve to "work" it's way into the journal via the piston?

**we were not even close to the valve recommended cleaning, mileage of 150k miles**

Thus, this could be an issue and not that of the oil or filters used.

I also, wrote to Mobil, asking if Neoprene is used in the specific filter I used this past year. Waiting for their response.

So yeah, maybe a fight but worth it to prevent a white pine tree planter for $21k, in Maine.

Thanks again...any input is great, please bear with me if this nightmare gets to me.

 

I am still puzzled as to where the brass came from. What componants in your engine are made from brass that could wear and get into the oil?

 

Mexstan...another great question, that we have thought and asked ourselves.

Perhaps our "fight" will prove out where the brass came from. We are currently leaving it up to the Attorney Generals, Senators, Reps, Highways Magazine via Good Sam's Club and companies involved to answer the questions for us. We have almost 50 pages of information on the truck, documents, summary, letter, carfax info, maintenance records provided by us and local dodge dealers that we know worked on the truck and of course, photos of all parts, engine and spun bearing. We also, have the name of an attorney in case, it should go that far and we can scrounge together the money to see him.

My wife has been like a dog with a bone on this and is getting very educated on everything concerning this truck. We have been working diligently to get answers together and find out why this nightmare is happening.

Dodge wanted maintenance records from us....now, perhaps it is time for them to PROVE what exactly went wrong with the truck to begin with, especially since their dealership in Maine, never touched the truck. They told my wife this on the phone in her last conversation with them. Last straw for her, now, she wants answers and she will get them.

 

OK, then let's throw this out to the more knowledgeable members of this forum. The question is: where would the brass come from?

 

8) Thanks Mexstan....I was hoping someone may volunteer that but perhaps your straight forward question will do that.

Calling anyone with the answer to come forward PLEASE!

 

I now see that you have only 75k miles (perhaps it would help if I read all of the posts )...

If you can present your dealer with any kind of reciept or evidence that you did the oil chages - it should certainly be covered. This seems a lot like a engine defect and should be covered under the 100k warranty.

Hopefully someone on here is a Cummins mechanic and may be able to shed some light on your problem.

 

:'( I just bought a 98 24v cummins with 73k on it I'm kinda worried now. Truck runs great and looks great I knew thr guy who owned it and he took better care of it than i will :- Man I love my 12v
DM01

 

Gary would you care to elaborate on how rare and isolated this incident is please?

How would you know?

 

FYI---Called the #800 for Champion Labs, who we were referred to by the MOBIL e-mail. Spoke to a very nice gentleman there and he told us that the Mobil Filter MI-403 is the same or comparable to the AC Delco filter approved by Chrysler to be used in the diesel engine. He is emailing a letter (already in his system, for this very situation) to us to verify this and our inquires. Thus, the filter would not be an issue now would it? We also asked if this filter contained neoprene..NO IT DOESN'T! We asked if it was to be used with only MOBIL oil, he said NO, this can be used with any oil without high detergent content. He reiterated that is exceeds the requirements for this diesel. Just an FYI!