Cummins 5.9L diesel and the killer dowel pin (KDP)

[jinman]

385k on my '96. I haven't worried about it before, and I'll not worry now.

 

[QRTRHRS]

I used the "tab" method on my 97' Dodge. The pin was out a little but it's been too long to remember. I do remember being more concerned about the bolts, some of which were not all that tight. My neighbor at the time had a 92' Dodge Cummins. One of his bolts came out and broke the gear off of his camshaft.

Been quite some time since I frequented the Cummins threads but the threat was very real.

 

[some zilch]

there is an awful lot of internet gossip about this, but i have never seen or heard of one causing a problem. I own 3 cummins powered dodges, and know lots of other owners; i'm sure it happens, but i think there is a disproportionate amount of talk about it

 

[masscity]

I have a 97, my buddy put the tab kit on it. Dowel pin was out 1/8", supposed to be recessed.

Some of the bolts were loose and were tightened. I'm a member on TDR and have seen pictures of the damage when it happens.

Worth doing for peace of mind.

 

[flusher]

I am a Dodge dealer. I have sold over a thousand Dodge/Cummins trucks over the years and have owned over 25 of them personally, ranging from 89's all the way up to 09's. I have "heard" of the KDP but have never actually seen one come out. Our shop business is about 75% Dodge/Cummins work and we've never seen the KDP issue come up. I have never actually talked to a real person who it has happened to, see a lot about it on the internet though.

I don't doubt your experience with KDP for a second.

But, that's what bothers me--the stuff on the Internet. Is it all gossip?

As I mentioned before, I belong to the Turbo Diesel Register (TBR) group.
Back issues of the TBR magazine through the 12-valve era (1987-mid-1998), carried several articles on KDP---enough coverage for me to believe that these guys, who were/are intense Dodge Ram/Cummins 5.9L wonks, were pretty concerned back then. Which is enough for me to be concerned now as I contemplate possibly buying a Ram 3500 with the 12v engine.

 

[JB4310]

I heard about it also when I had my 95 2500, I chose not to do anything about it. But when I sold it I told the guy all about it in case he wanted to do it.
I would hate to see anything bad happen to that, best truck engine ever built.

Its a little bit of a pain to fix but a real pain if it does fall out and engage the gears, you gotta pull the cam out the front of the engine DOUBLE

I've got a 6.7 Cummins now, Sweet machine but, the jury is still out on this one, ask me in 10 years or so.

JB.

 

[flusher]

I heard about it also when I had my 95 2500, I chose not to do anything about it. But when I sold it I told the guy all about it in case he wanted to do it.
I would hate to see anything bad happen to that, best truck engine ever built.

Its a little bit of a pain to fix but a real pain if it does fall out and engage the gears, you gotta pull the cam out the front of the engine DOUBLE

I've got a 6.7 Cummins now, Sweet machine but, the jury is still out on this one, ask me in 10 years or so.

JB.

That's mighty considerate of you. I doubt a used truck dealer would volunteer that information.

If that little pin jams the cam shaft timing gears, some of the valves are probably going to make very hard contact with the pistons. The stuff on the Web says that valve, piston and possibly engine block damage is possible then.

 

[Diamondpilot]

I know this kind of stuff happens but it get blow all out of proportion. Think of how many 5.9's are out there. If it was up to the rumor spreaders there would be none still running and 5.4L Fords would be lined up along side the road with spit spark plugs. The county would probably have to get the snow plows out to get the spark plugs off the road because they would be knee deep.

Buying anything is a gamble. I have had good luck with new cars and used cars. Then again I have had awful luck with new cars and used cars. If it were easy it would be no fun. When you bite the bullet just pray it does not self destruct.

Chris

 

[flusher]

I know this kind of stuff happens but it get blow all out of proportion. Think of how many 5.9's are out there. If it was up to the rumor spreaders there would be none still running and 5.4L Fords would be lined up along side the road with spit spark plugs. The county would probably have to get the snow plows out to get the spark plugs off the road because they would be knee deep.

Buying anything is a gamble. I have had good luck with new cars and used cars. Then again I have had awful luck with new cars and used cars. If it were easy it would be no fun. When you bite the bullet just pray it does not self destruct.

Chris

I hear ya. And, normally, I'd not get overly concerned about something going wrong with a 10-15 year old vehicle. You pays your money and takes your chances.

But, I'm looking for a dependable 1T PU for towing my parade tractors on a 10K GN trailer. I'd be mighty POed if the KDP hit me while towing at 65 mph on I5 with an 18-wheeler on my tail. Could be a big safety concern then.

 

[Diamondpilot]

I hear ya. And, normally, I'd not get overly concerned about something going wrong with a 10-15 year old vehicle. You pays your money and takes your chances.

But, I'm looking for a dependable 1T PU for towing my parade tractors on a 10K GN trailer. I'd be mighty POed if the KDP hit me while towing at 65 mph on I5 with an 18-wheeler on my tail. Could be a big safety concern then.

You could walk out in front of a Pepsi Truck tomorrow also. I would not worry about it too much. Tons of things can happen.

I was driving home doing 30 mph though the middle of my home town in my brand new 89 S-10 Blazer. I was towing a small 17' boat that weight 3,000#. A guy in front of me was turning left so I just let off the gas. My transfer case binded breaking the rear drive shaft and it dug into the asphalt nearly pulling the rear axle off the leaf springs. The truck must have jumped 3' in the air when it dug in. I always thought what if that was to happen doing 70mph down the highway. I guess when its your time its your time.

What I am saying is tons of stuff can fail. The KDP is just one of 1,000,000 thing that can happen. I would not lose any sleep over it.

Chris