Ram issues... Should have listened to y'all

Arizona_928 · 08-15-2018, 01:49 PM

at 20k miles on the ram with the cummins; it's in the shop... Cel for emissions equipment. Had to wait two weeks for an appointment... been in the shop for three days now and they haven't even started work on it. First gear still pops out, and front the end is loose....

I don't know if it's worth it to delete emissions and put a clutch in it (stock clutch won't hold increased power), or just jump ship.

HardDrive · 08-15-2018, 02:26 PM

My dad has been very happy with his F-350 (has the 6.0 Harvester engine in it). But he has had to do repairs.....emissions crap. Those EGR systems are the devil.

Reg · 08-15-2018, 02:53 PM

Oh no! I am just about to get one. They cannot be all bad - there are so many of them out there.

red-beard · red-beard's Garage

I had the 6.0 International with the EGR and particulate filter and had nothing but problems. I had the 6.2 with the DEF system and it was great. No issues. I now have a 6.0 Gasoline engine and it was $10K cheaper!

unclebilly · unclebilly's Garage

Made out of 'broken'...

CurtEgerer · CurtEgerer's Garage

Quote:

Originally Posted by Reg

Oh no! I am just about to get one. They cannot be all bad - there are so many of them out there.

I have the only running example in North America

60,000 miles and running like new for some unexplainable reason. Just had the full 60K maintenance service done last week (1 day to schedule appt, 1 day to complete all service). Like all diesels, they are VERY expensive to maintain properly.

HardDrive · 08-15-2018, 04:11 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by CurtEgerer

I have the only running example in North America

60,000 miles and running like new for some unexplainable reason. Just had the full 60K maintenance service done last week (1 day to schedule appt, 1 day to complete all service). Like all diesels, they are VERY expensive to maintain properly.

Where do you guys head in FL? My parents are on Big Pine Key during the winter.

onewhippedpuppy · 08-15-2018, 04:14 PM

Sorry that sucks! My father in law had all of the same, ended up trading his Cummins in for a base model Hemi SLT and has been very happy.

Reg · 08-15-2018, 04:43 PM

Is there not an extended warranty option for these? May proove valuable or maybe just a waste of $?

CurtEgerer · CurtEgerer's Garage

Quote:

Originally Posted by HardDrive

Where do you guys head in FL? My parents are on Big Pine Key during the winter.

We'll be in Winter Haven this winter - relatively close to my daughter in Kissimmee but far enough away from the general chaos of Orlando

CurtEgerer · CurtEgerer's Garage

Quote:

Originally Posted by Reg

Is there not an extended warranty option for these? May proove valuable or maybe just a waste of $?

I was offered a factory bumper-to-bumper extended warranty. I think they wanted around $3000 if I recall correctly. I didn't buy it.

CurtEgerer · CurtEgerer's Garage

RE: DEF system. My truck had a CEL shortly after purchase while driving through Ohio. Pulled into the nearest dealer and the code was Contaminated DEF fluid. I had just filled the tank with fresh Peak BlueDEF the night before - probably the most popular DEF out there. Was subsequently told by 2 different RAM mechanics, the system is sensitive and to ONLY use Mopar DEF fluid. They had seen many problems related to aftermarket DEF fluid (not that the fluid is bad, the system just doesn't like it for some reason). Anyway, they just cleared the code and the system re-gen'ed a few times and it went away on the trip south. Have used Mopar DEF ever since and no more problems.

unclebilly · unclebilly's Garage

With DEF, there is a shelf life that depends on storage temperature.

Ever buy old stock on sale. Check the date on the box, it IS like milk.

Arizona_928 · 08-15-2018, 07:25 PM

Hmmm I know the def has a shelf life and I'm very good at getting fresh fluid.

Kinda interesting that mopar has def. When I picked up the truck it was fresh off the train that morning, and the salesman actually drove the truck to the corner gas station to fill it up with diesel, and included a box of peak brand ad blue. (Def tank was half full)

911boost · 911boost's Garage

Is it a fullsize RAM with the normal Cummins? That is a shame to hear.

I have 83K on my 2012 F350 wth the 6.7L and really have bot had any major issues with it.

911boost · 911boost's Garage

Oh and I use the Peak Blue Def and we have few stations out here on the western slope that actually have pumps at the gas station that I have used and have never run into an issue with the DEF.

CurtEgerer · CurtEgerer's Garage

Yeah, DEF has a short shelf life and does not like heat and sunshine. Never buy it just to have some on hand. But there is something about the brand as well. Same exact issue with GM Duramax. Many DEF/CEL faults that magically go away when switching to GM DEF fluid. I had it explained to me by a mechanic but don't remember the specifics. OTOH, there are Cummins and Duramax owners who say they put anything they can find in there and don't have problems

But when I have a mechanic tell me its a known issue that he sees over and over again, I listen. The Mopar and GM stuff might be a few $$ more, but it's not like you're putting this stuff in every week either. For me, it's every 3-6 months.

RE: dealers. I seek out rural dealers who sell lots of 3500 diesel trucks to farmers and ranchers. Never go to a dealer in the city who sell 2 diesel trucks a month. The mechanics there don't have a clue and, in the case of a DRW, might not even have a means of properly lifting the truck!

CurtEgerer · CurtEgerer's Garage

Quote:

Originally Posted by unclebilly

it IS like milk.

I think it's basically cow urine isn't it?

John Rogers · 08-16-2018, 06:23 AM

When I went to get a large truck for towing the 914-6 vintage race car I was told by my mentor to get one of the diesels that were made BEFORE CA put all that diesel smog stuff for diesels in effect. John was a Dodge man but I had always been a Ford truck man and he said get one before Ford screwed up with trying to make their own engines. Soooo I bought a 2000 F350 dually that already had 70K miles, not even broken in really, 5th wheel hitch and even a CB radio. Car fax showed no wrecks and it had been used in Arkansas by a fellow who did a small business moving cars and bought a new truck every 18 months. It was great and could haul 18,000 pounds of trailer and car with no problem. I did some mods I.E. larger exhaust, larger intake, on the fly engine computer and a Jake brake/trans locker for down hills.

I had to get it smog tested and the shop I used knew zero about diesels and failed terribly so I call the San Diego office of CARB and raised hell so the next day a man came out and gave me a life time pass on smog checks after he took all the info and pictures of the engine with mods that had reduced emissions 30% (all were approved by CA CARB) and did a writeup to make a memo for smog people to follow.

I think with trucks having a brand new one is immaterial as they are a work item and as long as no rust or wrecks all is well.

ted · ted's Garage

The happiest truck owners are the ones in the dealer service waiting area that have long term warranties on their trucks.

Like Curt have a 14 Ram 3500 diesel.
It's had a few recalls that have been fixed quickly without issue.
I have become good friends with my Ram dealer Service Manager.
He actually leaves his truck with me and takes my truck in for recall work.

No complaints so far, tows like a train!