Hi Folks! Hipshot here! I'm a newbie to the diesel world. Thanks for a wonderful site! I have learned ALOT in just a short time about my truck. You'll be hearing alot more from me in the future.

I just bought a 99 2500 24v. A couple of days ago. Absolutely flawless truck with 58k miles! I could not believe this was traded in! I figured there HAD to be a reason so I looked till I found it.

It had no boost! Massive air leaks. 4 lb was the best I could get per the handy dandy scanguage! I found the exhaust manfold cracked & the compressor boot blown off! The dealer swore to make it good so it's currently at the dodge dealer for repairs.

I spent a 1/2 hour looking over the block. It is unfortunately a '53' but I could not find a leak anywhere. I asked the dealer to look it over. and test the fuel system as well.

I found out it was used to haul horses. It had a 5th wheel plate. To me it kinda explained why the turbo section was so stressed. Anyway, I thought it still worth the gamble so it's mine pending repairs.

I also figured since it was worked so hard, that if the block didn't give way by now... maybe uh.. it's one of the lucky ones?

Anyway, me being new to the turbo diesel world, I was curious if anyone had thoughts on maybe why the manifold cracked and this boot was blown off? Or maybe is there anything else I should be looking for? Should I be afraid of this truck? Or are these common issues from being worked so hard?

Any thoughts will be greatly appreciated. Hip

 

Welcome home Hipshot. Unless that was one huge trailer this truck has not even been tested yet. Cracked manifolds are a common problem, unless the dealer is going to replace it don't even waste your time on another oem one. Go with one of the three peice aftermarket ones. Compressor boot, if it still appears to be in good shape was probably never tightened down enough and blew it off.

 

Hey Hipshot welcome aboard, I'm pretty new here too, but not new with diesels, I bought mine new in 98.

Fill in you signature so we know all about your truck. Automatic? Guages? 4wd?

I had a cracked 53, so all I can say is, buy an extended warranty for it then bomb the "holy begeezuz" out of it.

Mine cracked at 115K so your not out of the woods yet.

Aftermarket warranties don't care about bombs. So no need to worry about voided warranties.

The original motor came with a 100k or 5yr warranty, so your beyond that.

Blown off boots are common especially if the guy before you "chipped" the motor.

If he tapped the Injection Pump wire he might have left the scotchlock on the wire, or evidence of it being crimped.

If it does have a cracked block you'll know. It will have a "pretty lime green waterfall effect" right below the freeze plugs under the manifold. And since you'll have the manifold out you'll see it. Like stated earlier, defitnitely get the ATS 3pc manifold. It won't crack.Period

Good luck.............Jim

 

Well... I can probably tell you more about it later once I get it back from the shop. I only owned it an hour before it went to the shop! I don't have much "Cab' time yet! This sucks. I buy a new truck (well new to me) and All I get to do is read about it