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maxwell11's avatar
maxwell11
Explorer
Apr 11, 2014

Trailer Life Article - 5.9 Cummins engine

This months Trailer Life Magazine had a write up on the 5.9 Cummins engine, the write up covered at least 6 or 7 pages.

As I read the article all 5.9 Cummins engine block coolant plugs rust out. The article did not place our truck engines in a very good light.

I had the coolant changed in my 2005 dodge diesel truck at 5 year intervals with Dodge approved antifreeze and distilled water.

So far, I have had no problems with the cooling system. However, after reading the article I will keep a bit closer eye on the motor block freeze plugs.

Have any of you guys had problems with the freeze plugs rusting out and leaking coolant????
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  • cmarq's avatar
    cmarq
    Explorer
    Apr 11, 2014
    Antifreeze has a rust inhibit change at the recommended intervals and you will not have a problem.
  • jerem0621's avatar
    jerem0621
    Explorer II
    Apr 11, 2014
    My dad is around 230,000 on his 5.9. No signed of trouble at all. The only thing wrong with his ram is a few little cracks in the Dashboard.

    Cheers!

    Jeremiah
  • Old-Biscuit's avatar
    Old-Biscuit
    Explorer III
    Apr 11, 2014
    '07 5.9......water pump sprung a leak at 85,000 miles so I changed coolant and water pump at that time.
  • rhagfo's avatar
    rhagfo
    Explorer III
    Apr 11, 2014
    fj12ryder wrote:
    No problems with my 2001 so far.


    Ditto and 270,000 miles.
  • ScottG's avatar
    ScottG
    Nomad
    Apr 11, 2014
    I hang out on a couple of Cummins forums and have owned them for 21 years.
    Never heard of then rusting out.
    Sounds like somebody never changed it.
  • 45Ricochet's avatar
    45Ricochet
    Explorer
    Apr 11, 2014
    No
    But if you neglect the recommended service of 5 years or 100,000 miles (IIRC) you could very well have problems. I believe all manufactures have similar maintenance schedules.
    Maybe link us up to the article if you can. They are certainly not on my bookmark list :W
  • dodge_guy's avatar
    dodge_guy
    Explorer II
    Apr 11, 2014
    maxwell11 wrote:
    This months Trailer Life Magazine had a write up on the 5.9 Cummins engine, the write up covered at least 6 or 7 pages.

    As I read the article all 5.9 Cummins engine block coolant plugs rust out. The article did not place our truck engines in a very good light.

    I had the coolant changed in my 2005 dodge diesel truck at 5 year intervals with Dodge approved antifreeze and distilled water.

    So far, I have had no problems with the cooling system. However, after reading the article I will keep a bit closer eye on the motor block freeze plugs.

    Have any of you guys had problems with the freeze plugs rusting out and leaking coolant????


    Only on the unmaintained trucks. if you maintain your vehicle it should give no issues!

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