You'd probably be astounded by the number of emails we receive like the following:
I just wanted to thank you. Last weekend my wife and I took a long weekend trip to Gatlinburg,Tennessee. During the trip, we lost the lift pump, and it cost me $1,100 to have a local dealer replace it. Now that I'm a TDR subscriber, I am able to look up information on my 24-valve '98.5. I won't get caught unprepared again.
Or like this one:
Question 1: I own a '98.5 Dodge Turbo Diesel. At 79,000 miles, it began to idle erratically. I changed the fuel filter which solved the problem for a few days. And back it came. Is it time for a new lift pump? I do not have a fuel pressure gauge installed. Our response 1: It could be a new transfer pump is needed. Or a new VP44 (expensive). Either way, you will not know until you install a gauge. So that is your first priority. Install a gauge to see what fuel pressure you have.
Our email discussion continued with question 2: How much pressure do I need, and what's a VP44? If it is a transfer pump, is there a suitable alternative to the stocker?
Considering about 500,000 trucks were produced during model years '98.5 - '02, this Achilles heel will not go away soon. It is an unfortunate story as this deficiency can be corrected. If the TDR could only reach the balance of the 499,999 truck owners . . . . A TDR subscription prevents problems before they occur.
Conclusion: Since 1993, the goal of the Turbo Diesel Register has been to give Turbo Diesel owners more satisfaction in the ownership of their Dodge pickups. To do so, we focus on solving problems that you may encounter; inform you on areas for improvement; advise you about aftermarket parts and their performance; keep you up to date on all aspects of truck development; and provide you with information on industry trends. At the same time that we're supplying the technical nuts-and-bolts, the TDR provides you with some EZ chair entertainment and gives members a sense of community.
Using the fuel transfer pump saga that applies to 500,000 or more '98.5 - '02 owners, I hope we have given you an example of how a TDR subscription will benefit you.
We've received confirmation that the folks within the South Carolina TDR (SCTDR) Chapter are organizing their first Cummins Truck Rodeo Weekend for July 10 -12, 2009! Get on out there and sign up now. How does this sound? Weekend camping at one of the top rated camp grounds in South Carolina. Friday night at a drag strip. Saturday at a truck/tractor pull. The truck/tractor pull is put on by a high school FFA, and they do a nice job at it. Everything is within 20 miles of the campground .
Drag strip: Ware Shoals Dragway - Sponsored by Computer Magic OnLine - Draglist.com.
State Park: Calhoun Falls State Park/Calhoun Falls State Recreation Area.
Member2Member Steering Improvements - Part 2/Turbo Air Guide - Tag 3 Update
10 Back Issue 24, May/June/July 1999
First Generation Replace the Fuel Filter/Leak on Fuel Filter Housing/Heater Valve/Lower Radiator Hose/Loose Steering/Spring Hanger Bushings/Front Rotor Disc Wear/injection Pump Wear/Killer Dowel Pin
12-Valve Engines Recurring Diagnostic Code P1389/Front Crankshaft Seal and Wear Ring/Automatic Transmission Shifts Erratically/Gauges and Accessories Inoperative/Installing Plungers and Barrels in the P7100 Injection Pump/Setting Injection Timing When Replacing Pump/How to Make 600 Horsepower/Removing Camshaft Drive Gear
24-Valve Engines Defective Fuel Line Check Valve/Engine Block Heater/Transmission Fluid Loss/Fuel Leak at Fuel Filter/Engine Oil Pressure Sending Unit/Turbo Upgrade Advice/Selecting a Head Gasket/Tabbing the Killer Dowel Pin/Uneven Braking
5.9 HP CR Oil Leaking From Intercooler Hose/Slow to Shift Transmission/Adjusting the Doors/Unusual Starting Behavior/Finding the Bad Injector/Replacing Injectors?/Better Injectors?/Preventive Maintenance?/Help Needed for Installing Twin Turbos/Erratic Rail Pressure
6.7 HP CR Wiring Trailer Receptacle/New Truck Questions/Cycle the Key for Codes Feature/Check Engine Light/engine Hesitation-Stutter/CCV Filter/6.7 HPCR Basics-Changing the CCV Filter/6.7 HPCR Oil Change Data/TSB Releases on the 6.7 Engine/Future ECM Complexity and Current Diagnostic Trouble Codes/6.7-Liter Fuel Filter Follies
Technical Topics Media Gibberish/Fuel and Oil Additives
If you're located in Washington, Western Oregon, or Northern California, read on! The Northwest Bombers have two events planned for this summer.
June 20 - The Industrial Injection Northwest Nationals. You don’t need a fast truck to race (but if you have one bring it anyway)! Same-day Awards for:
- Open & Gear-slammer brackets - Heads-up & Quickest ET
First-time racers welcome. Charge for track fees only – no diesel membership or series requirements. BBQ after the race at Silver Spurs in Bremerton/Silverdale (www.bremertonraceway.com). Gates open at 8:00 am. Time trials begin at 9:00 am. Eliminations around 1:00 pm.
July 4, 2009 - Diesel Rally and Campout! 800 Nels Nelson Road; Bremerton, WA 9831 (Silver Spurs Horse Facility across from the Fairgrounds).
Bring the family and spend the weekend with fellow diesel enthusiasts. Lots of parking/camping spots Chili cook-off. Live Band. Show-n-Shine (rain or shine). Games – horseshoes, volleyball, etc. Clubhouse with kitchen. Donation of $5 per vehicle at the gate for those who are able.
For more information, please contact "Rottin" Rhonda Kelley at dieselqueenbee@yahoo.com - or (425) 269-0029.
But first, a note about its contents. I am sure you know the guy or gal who cannot complete the task because a small detail is missing. That has been the case with this Buyer's Guide. It was originally produced in 2002. We then updated it each year thereafter. Along the way, some of the photography was lost. Along the way Chrysler became DaimlerChrysler and now Chrysler LLC. Along the way, there have been technical service updates. Along the way we made corrections and waited. And waited. And waited.
Then we realized that it is 99.9% complete, and we decided to wait no longer. Here it is!
This 146-page .pdf TDR Buyer's Guide represents years of research. It contains a wealth of helpful information for new truck or new-to-diesel owners.
There was a debate among the staff and writers and members about who should have access to this file. In the end, we have opted to make the information available to everyone. We know that web-only viewers have come to realize that the internet is really not free. With this in mind, the TDR staff, writers and members would ask you to consider joining the Turbo Diesel Register. We have no doubt the information we can provide will prove valuable to you. To learn more about the Turbo Diesel Register or to subscribe, click here.
First Generation Front Brake Question/Power Window/Remove Locking Front Hubs/Cab Cracks Under the Cowl
12-Valve Engines Fuel Transfer Pump Failure?/Fuel Filter Without Drain/Replace Alternator Brushes/Unlocking Torque Converter/How To Drain The Radiator/Camshaft And Injection Pump Timing/Removing The Timing Pin/Differences Between 180HP and 215HP Bosch P7100 Fuel Injection Pumps/
5.9 HP CR 2003 Fuel Transfer Pump/Inexpensive Source For MOPAR ATF+4/HVAC Control Panel Light/Bosch CP3 Fuel Pump That Ticks/4x4 Indicator Light Flashing.APPS/Speedometer Problem/Rail Pressure Problem/How To Replace The Rocker Box Gasket
6.7 HP CR What Is New for 2009?/Fuel Tank Fill Tube/Choosing Stronger Bumpers/Turbocharger Soot Question/Code P2000 HelpTSB Releases on the 6.7 Engine/
Technical Topics Clutches
TDReview '07.5 Mega Cab Long Box – One Year Later/Mega Cab Long Box: Follow-Up on Issue 59
Four Whaling What Happened to Detroit?
From The Shop Floor Ball Joint and Hub Bearing Inspection and Replacement – Model Year 2003-2007/FASS DDRP Fuel Transfer Pump
Post the thing (diesel truck related) that you most want to see in your stocking this year and why you want it. What we are looking for with this contest:
- Ideas about what products you're wanting to have or learn more about in 2009 - A few good laughs (because we know how witty you can be)
The prize? A 4/2/1 filter maintenance kit for your truck (provided by Geno's Garage) or a $100 gift certificate to Geno's Garage (your choice). Winner will be posted no later than December 25, 2008.
We're winding up our 2009 TDR Calendar Contest, so it is time to do something easy and fun. TDR Members, post your best three reasons for buying a diesel over a gasser, and you may be the winner of a $100 diesel fuel card. Contest ends: October 3, 2008. Winner will be posted on October 5, 2008.
Current News» Chrysler Introduces New ‘Best-in-Industry’ Lifetime Powertrain WarrantyPublished 07/26/2007
Chrysler Introduces New ‘Best-in-Industry’ Lifetime Powertrain Warranty on Chrysler, Jeep® and Dodge Vehicles
The New Chrysler Lifetime Powertrain Warranty – the first from an OEM and the longest in the industry – is a statement of confidence in the reliability of Chrysler products.
Warranty covers the cost of all parts and labor needed to repair covered powertrain components – engine, transmission and drive system.
Provides worry-free ownership for new Chrysler, Jeep® and Dodge owners.
Auburn Hills, Mich. - Chrysler today announced that the Company would extend its powertrain warranty from the 3-year/36,000-mile Basic Limited Warranty to a new Lifetime Powertrain Warranty. The new Chrysler Lifetime Powertrain Warranty applies to most new Chrysler, Jeep® and Dodge vehicles purchased from dealer inventory and delivered on or after July 26, 2007.
The Lifetime Powertrain Warranty covers the cost of all parts and labor needed to repair covered powertrain components – engine, transmission and drive system. The new powertrain warranty is limited to the first registered owner or retail lessee. Customers should contact dealers for details on vehicle selection.
“This new Chrysler Lifetime Powertrain Warranty is a statement of confidence to our customers to the reliability of their powertrain. It’s peace-of-mind reassurance for as long as they own the vehicle,” said Steven Landry, Executive Vice President – North America, Sales and Marketing, Service and Parts, Chrysler Group.
To continue warranty coverage, the owner must have a powertrain inspection performed by an authorized Chrysler, Jeep or Dodge dealer once every 5 years. This inspection will be performed at no charge. The inspection must be made within 60 days of each 5-year anniversary of the warranty start date of the vehicle.
Landry added, “The new Chrysler Lifetime Powertrain Warranty underscores our focus on quality and customer satisfaction. It demonstrates our commitment to customers and the confidence we have in our ability to produce quality, reliable and durable vehicles. That’s why we put ‘lifetime’ on it.”
Customers may visit Chrysler.com, Jeep.com and Dodge.com for more information. A warranty promotion – print, radio, television and Internet – begins Friday, July 27.
PLEASE NOTE: *See dealer for a copy of limited warranty and details. Non-Transferable. Not available on SRT, Diesel vehicles, Sprinter, Ram Chassis Cab, and certain fleet vehicles.