tgleason

I have a '93 4x4 regular cab with 150000 kms. Yesterday the truck started to sound significantly louder than usual. I chalked it up to exhaust leaks. Today after starting it, the noise was even louder. Sounding almost metal like and the vibration in the truck was terrible. I drove it a little bit and the noise went away once RPM's were raised. After about 10 minutes of driving the vibrations got so bad that I pulled to the side of the road and then realized I was not putting power to the wheels. It was just spinning freely, engine revving and no power to the wheels. I called the tow truck and its on the way to a garage but I just wonder what the damage is going to be. Also when the towtruck driver got there I tried to start the truck and it turned over making really harsh sounding metal grinding noises and loud thumping all coming from the rear of the engine or even further back like tranny area. My first thought was tranny, then main bearing then both. This is my first Dodge diesel and I've only had it for a couple months. BTW it is an Auto with Overdrive.<br>Thanks<br>Todd

dodgenstein

I had the same problem in Nov .You have a busted flexplate.Trans will have to come out.If you are doing the work yourself go to Cummins for the flexplate I believe their price is about $100 vs $225 at the dealer.

Monty

I agree, sounds like the flexplate. Take the inspection cover off of the transmission and look for any signs of metal shavings and in some cases big chunks of metal. When you go back with the flex plate, go with the 95 and newer flex plate. These are alot stronger than the earlier ones and they bolt right in place of the old one. Thanks to Jdurham, here are the price differences and the part number for Chrysler and Cummins.<br><br>FLEX PLATE 1995 Cummins <br><br>Chrysler Part # 5015709 Price $295.00 <br>Cummins Part #3946161 Price $ 94.22 <br><br><br><br>

fishermansteve

I just had the trans done in my 89 3-speed &amp; the flex plate was cracked badly in 3 places. Dodge wanted $611 &amp; I found one in a junkyard for $90.

tgleason

Thanks for the advice. I told my mechanic to check the cover plate first and low and behold big chuncks of metal fell out. I'm most upset because I haven't built my garage yet so I am unable to do the job myself, or at least try. I ordered the part through cummins, 3946161 as was in the earlier post and it cost 207 Canadian vs. 550 Canadian from Dodge. It was special order so I hope the part number is right. I went with it because you guys were bang on with the diagnosis.<br> Now that this bill is due I'll have to wait on the paint job that was planned because I'm sure not putting off the new exhaust system!<br>Thanks Again<br>Todd

tgleason

Ok, tonight was the night the tranny was pulled back to show the damage. The plate was completely free floating. The simple replacement hit a snag though. The tranny mounting plate that bolts to the engine is cracked from the bottom to the middle where the crank comes out. Looks like it can be welded so that will be done tomorrow. I got this much done helping the mechanic after hours but tomorrow to finish, the job will be on the clock at the shop. Not bad though, he figures about 30 bucks to have the piece welded and another 2 hours to get everything back together.<br>THanks<br>Todd

Craig93

Good news....at least it's nothing too expensive, like a complete trans rebuild....hope all things go smooth for ya..

Alec

I would not weld the engine adapter in place. If it gets distorted, you can have lots of trouble -- I suppose that I would have to see the actual piece, but in general welsing of flywheel housings is a bad idea.<br><br>My $.02

tgleason

Just to clarify, we are not welding the adaptor in place. It has a 6 inch crack in it. The piece is going to be taken off the truck welded and put back on. It has 8 bolts holding it to the motor.<br>Thanks<br>Todd

tgleason

Well its all together and back home now. Took about 5 hours total with my mechanic/friend and myself. I can't believe how quiet it seems even with a small exhaust leak. Now that's fixed and its time for a four inch exhaust.<br> Thanks for the info/help