I recently started having problems with apparent missing, low power and fuel mileage. I took the truck back to the dealer to resolve the problem, as I only have 2,500 miles on it.
The response from the dealer appeared very vague and left me uncomfortable. When I went to pick up the truck I made sure I found the service manager to get a better explanation of the problem. I could tell from talking to him it was a problem that was frusterating to him also.
The report I get is that I let the truck idle too much. With some recent design changes (in the last year or so), the Cummins trucks apparently shouldn't be left to idle much. It was reported to me an acceptable idle was about 20% of running time, where-as my truck showed about 33% idle time while running. Apparently, idling to much seems to gum up the injector system. Cummins won't warranty the problem. The solution, according to the dealer, is a fuel system cleaning, or flush, or what-ever. The service guy let me know that Cummins didn't consider it their problem, so the dealer's were having to eat the cost of the fuel system cleaning, to the tune of $250. The guy told me this was the third late model Cummins diesel to come in in a month with the same problem. According to him, Cummins was aware of the problem, was working on a solution, but was being vague in acknowledging the problem as to not accept responsibility.
I mentioned to the guy that I thought diesels were generally used in situations where long idle times were normal, and, that the owner's manual encourages owners to let the engines idle in order to properly coold the turbo. I mentioned that in town driving involved lot's of idle times. He said Cummins response to that was that if that's the type of driving one does, you should buy a gas vehicle.
Anyone have any opinion, or input? I like my Cummins/Dodge, but it's looking like after 2,500 miles, I might have picked the wrong vehicle.
sazrac