Too much oil and poor dealer help

[CaptainMike]

Ram is really going far to keep you happy.

It’s times like these I refer back to leadership training when dealing with an employee or customer, certain things you can do to salvage a relationship like bend a rule or overlook it just to keep the relationship positive. So many miss this mark over “policies” that are relatively unimportant vs the relationship. This is one of those missed marks. Change the guys oil to keep the relationship positive as it can be and a positive report back to the forum. Unreal.

Spot on. The likelihood of me buying a new Ram ever again is rapidly waning. And I've been buying a new one every 4 - 5 years for the past 28 years. Stellantis and unscrupulous, careless dealerships have destroyed the brand.

 

[Dinky503]

Spot on. The likelihood of me buying a new Ram ever again is rapidly waning. And I've been buying a new one every 4 - 5 years for the past 28 years. Stellantis and unscrupulous, careless dealerships have destroyed the brand.

We wanted a bigger SUV for the family. We were looking at the wagoneer but after my truck we went with the yukon denali 6.2L. When you start losing loyalty it's game over.

I ran 2.5mil in sales a year through my company and never dime on advertising. All word of mouth and referrals. Keeping customers happy is the only way.

 

[Squidhunter]

if I end up going the lemon law route, which I fully expect to, I won't be buying another RAM. I really wish Toyota built a 3/4 ton, or I can find a 1/2 ton with at least 1800 lbs of payload without being a complete bare-bones work truck. So, it looks like I'll be getting a GM or Ford gas 3/4 ton for my next truck instead. I know they both have their issues, but the repairs out of warrantee won't be nearly as expensive as a modern diesel. Hell, you can replace an entire gas engine for what I costs to replace the fuel system on a diesel.

 

[Dinky503]

if I end up going the lemon law route, which I fully expect to, I won't be buying another RAM. I really wish Toyota built a 3/4 ton, or I can find a 1/2 ton with at least 1800 lbs of payload without being a complete bare-bones work truck. So, it looks like I'll be getting a GM or Ford gas 3/4 ton for my next truck instead. I know they both have their issues, but the repairs out of warrantee won't be nearly as expensive as a modern diesel. Hell, you can replace an entire gas engine for what I costs to replace the fuel system on a diesel.

Anything new is not going to be cheap regardless. Just the labor alone to tear into anything is a lot.

 

[Enve46]

if I end up going the lemon law route, which I fully expect to, I won't be buying another RAM. I really wish Toyota built a 3/4 ton, or I can find a 1/2 ton with at least 1800 lbs of payload without being a complete bare-bones work truck. So, it looks like I'll be getting a GM or Ford gas 3/4 ton for my next truck instead. I know they both have their issues, but the repairs out of warrantee won't be nearly as expensive as a modern diesel. Hell, you can replace an entire gas engine for what I costs to replace the fuel system on a diesel.

I went to a 2018 2500, still has emissions and have zero issues in the 2900 miles I’ve owned it. It sips def, regens without issue or frequency issues. I won’t go into everything and take this thread off topic but I wouldn’t buy anything 3/4-1 ton after 2018 or so. Everything has issues.

 

[mbarber84]

Cold mornings. The past week and this week they’ll be high 30’s low 40’s in the mornings and mid 60’s daytime.

12 mile highway run to work this morning, truck started at 12.5% soot on the dashboard gauge. 5 minute warmup before I left. Exited my driveway with an engine at 168°F and EGT 1, 2, and 3 all reading 500-550°F. Within a minute or two on the highway, all three EGT’s were 650°F or higher, and stayed that way for the 12 mile run at 75mph. In some cases, while cruising up a few light grades, the EGT’s all climbed in to the 750-800°F range for a few minutes. This behavior is likely why I’m getting better passive regeneration and am able to maintain the 24 engine hour cycles in the colder months. Looking back at my documentation over the past year or two, my trends show the 24 hour regen cycles typically start around October and stay that way until about April. Based on what I’m seeing on the iDash this morning, this trend will likely continue this year as well. DPF % REG is now being driven by the regen timer, not soot since I’m over the 12 hour mark. I’m 18’ish hours since last regen (and somewhere around 600’ish miles) so this tracks with the iDash PID. About 2 miles from my work, the dash gauge dropped to 0% soot and I’m sure, as long as the weather continues this way, this will likely be the way it goes for the next several months.


Colder temperatures = a cold engine that has to work a little harder, thus increasing EGT’s into a slightly elevated state. This elevated state is over the threshold for effective passive regeneration, so it’s easier to get the truck to begin converting soot. Add to this cooler denser air, which should make the truck operate more efficiently, and the result is far easier achievable 24 hour regen cycles.

I guess we will see if my hypothesis and predictions come true in the coming days weeks and months.

 

[oledirteh]

46 this morning here. went from 1/4 on dash to nothing within 55 miles and 80mph driving into work.

 

[Dinky503]

We has a pretty Brisk 43deg morning yesterday nothing climbed on me all morning. When i left the jobsite it was 78deg and started climbing pretty fast. i am at 3/8 on the gauge and it did not climb on the way to work. i will be going on the free way to another project this morning so ill see if it drops.

 

[oledirteh]

We has a pretty Brisk 43deg morning yesterday nothing climbed on me all morning. When i left the jobsite it was 78deg and started climbing pretty fast. i am at 3/8 on the gauge and it did not climb on the way to work. i will be going on the free way to another project this morning so ill see if it drops.

thats big for you to be honest. if your regens calm down in the cold.... could semi help on whats going on. i wonder if your egt's are just not where they need to be ever.

 

[Dinky503]

thats big for you to be honest. if your regens calm down in the cold.... could semi help on whats going on. i wonder if your egt's are just not where they need to be ever.

Idk I've never monitored that side by time i caught all this it was to late to start. Honestly to add another thing to watch my head might explode lol.

 

[56ram2500]

I was a bit surprised today that the dealer took there own oil sample at the same time I pulled mine, told them i sure hope you don' use Blackstone as once again mine was going to a Cummins lab...

 

[Dinky503]

So cam looks good the contact marks definitely don't look right.

They found weird marks on the inside of my block and at the bottom of the lifter bore.

Waiting for the response from manufacturer.

 

[Enve46]

I would say that can looks better than most I’ve seen but doesn’t look great.

 

[Squidhunter]

That cam does not look happy. I'm guessing the marks in the block are from manufacturing? Does your oil analysis show high metal content? I'm very interested to hear what Cummins has to say about this.

 

[Dinky503]

That cam does not look happy. I'm guessing the marks in the block are from manufacturing? Does your oil analysis show high metal content? I'm very interested to hear what Cummins has to say about this.

Cam looks normal. Maybe a few weird patterns. The markings on the block definitely not normal, I've had oil analysis done 3 times on this nothing abnormal. These marks were made before the first oil change.

 

[Ramsomair]

Could the marks on the block be from the casting company running a die grinder over some places to clean things up.

 

[Dinky503]

Could the marks on the block be from the casting company running a die grinder over some places to clean things up.

probably but who knows, ill let Ram make that decision.

 

[24Megacab]

Cold mornings. The past week and this week they’ll be high 30’s low 40’s in the mornings and mid 60’s daytime.

12 mile highway run to work this morning, truck started at 12.5% soot on the dashboard gauge. 5 minute warmup before I left. Exited my driveway with an engine at 168°F and EGT 1, 2, and 3 all reading 500-550°F. Within a minute or two on the highway, all three EGT’s were 650°F or higher, and stayed that way for the 12 mile run at 75mph. In some cases, while cruising up a few light grades, the EGT’s all climbed in to the 750-800°F range for a few minutes. This behavior is likely why I’m getting better passive regeneration and am able to maintain the 24 engine hour cycles in the colder months. Looking back at my documentation over the past year or two, my trends show the 24 hour regen cycles typically start around October and stay that way until about April. Based on what I’m seeing on the iDash this morning, this trend will likely continue this year as well. DPF % REG is now being driven by the regen timer, not soot since I’m over the 12 hour mark. I’m 18’ish hours since last regen (and somewhere around 600’ish miles) so this tracks with the iDash PID. About 2 miles from my work, the dash gauge dropped to 0% soot and I’m sure, as long as the weather continues this way, this will likely be the way it goes for the next several months.
View attachment 78041

Colder temperatures = a cold engine that has to work a little harder, thus increasing EGT’s into a slightly elevated state. This elevated state is over the threshold for effective passive regeneration, so it’s easier to get the truck to begin converting soot. Add to this cooler denser air, which should make the truck operate more efficiently, and the result is far easier achievable 24 hour regen cycles.

I guess we will see if my hypothesis and predictions come true in the coming days weeks and months.

Absolutely agree, I’m in PA and I’ve noticed the same thing as you’re describing. I drive about 42 miles round trip for work daily, and I’m currently at 21 engine hours since last regen. As soon as the temp started dropping into the 40’s and high 30’s, I noticed my dpf soot, on my scangauge, hardly moving. I’m about 700 miles since last regen. I have been plugging it in for a few nights, and the timer for the block heater runs for about 4 hours prior to leaving for work (my 4 year old doesn’t like to be cold nor do I want her to be). Good info thanks man.

 

[mbarber84]

Absolutely agree, I’m in PA and I’ve noticed the same thing as you’re describing. I drive about 42 miles round trip for work daily, and I’m currently at 21 engine hours since last regen. As soon as the temp started dropping into the 40’s and high 30’s, I noticed my dpf soot, on my scangauge, hardly moving. I’m about 700 miles since last regen. I have been plugging it in for a few nights, and the timer for the block heater runs for about 4 hours prior to leaving for work (my 4 year old doesn’t like to be cold nor do I want her to be). Good info thanks man.

Same exact scenario for me and I’m in PA also. I also plug the truck in.

 

[Dinky503]

Ram told the dealership there was no concern with the block condition and or Cam and lifters. They dealership is to re-assemble and keep trouble shooting Frequent Regeneration.


To Be Continued.....