RAM recall T51

[lafla]

Got a recall notice on my 2016 RAM 2500 with Cummins 6.7 L diesel. Evidently the water pump can catch on fire. Currently there is no fix for it and they will "notify" me when there is. Other than making sure I have a working fire extinguisher (not one of the 3 recalled Kidde extinguishers I'm waiting for replacements for) does anyone know if I there is anything else I should do in preparation for an upcoming 600 mile tow of our Airstream?

[joshjack]

I️ was under the impression the issue was a bearing that can fail and overheat and the fix was to replace it.

[sbowman]

O-boy..........the FORD people are going to love this. Got my T51 notice couple days back. Did some research. It appears between 2013 thru some time in 2017 water pump being used on Cummings (2500/3500/4500/5500), it is possible to incur bearing failure in the water pump. When and if this happens you will get warning light on your dash. Some time in 2017 Cummings/RAM went to a different type of water pump. Did not find anything in my research on "possible fire" and/or people claiming to have had fires. They do have the fix just not enough new type of water pumps to replace the approximately 500,000 recalls. If you have already paid to have repaired/replaced, you can get reimbursed. On another note the "bad" water pump is of solid body. The new/replacement has "venting" so as to help w/cooling of the bearing area. On another note I would venture to say "all" MFG's issue recalls in this day and age. Just part of life. Just got a text back from my son, he has a 2014 3500, his went out couple years back.

Safe travels

[RandyNH]

Some 2013-2017 MY D2, DD, DJ and DP trucks equipped with the Cummins 6.7L Turbo Diesel engine (Sales Code ETK) may experience a water pump failure which may result in an engine compartment fire, resulting in an increased risk of injury to motor vehicle occupants or persons outside the vehicle.

FCA US will conduct a voluntary safety recall to replace water pumps with new water pumps with corrective features including a vent hole.

FCA US has a longstanding policy and practice of reimbursing owners who have incurred the cost of repairing a problem that subsequently becomes the subject of a field action. To ensure consistency, FCA US, as part of the owner letter, will request that customers send the original receipt and/or other adequate proof of payment to the company for confirmation of the expense.

https://www.google.com/url?sa=t&sour...-UmONjVODOZttk

[Al and Missy]

Get an infrared thermometer (HF, often on sale for $29 or so) and shoot the pump housing whenever you stop. It should be about the same as the coolant temperature. Read the instructions for the thermometer. You have to be pretty close to the object being sensed to keep the measurement spot small. It is about 1" at 12" if I recall correctly.

My pump failed at 40,000 miles. I don't know if it was related to this recall, but the bearing seized up after a stop. When I started the engine the next time, it threw the belt. No power steering, no power brakes. I was backing out of my space in a tight RV park and nearly hit the truck across the street. Got it fixed under warranty but I wonder if the replacement is a good or bad pump.

Google Turbo Diesel Register. I started a thread on there and someone posted pictures of the bad pump and a good one. I don't know if you can see the pump mounting flange well enough to tell but apparently the bad ones have no vent hole.

Al

[lafla]

After two days of trying, finally got through to a Mopar customer service person on the chat option. After having to explain why I was concerned and felt unsafe towing with a pending recall on the water pump, my "case" was escalated, I was assigned a case number and told I would be contacted in 2-4 business days. I will share the outcome here on the forum.

[interstateflyer]

Yes....makes me wonder if we should embark on a journey with this hanging over us.

[sbowman]

Originally Posted by interstateflyer

Yes....makes me wonder if we should embark on a journey with this hanging over us.

Same question we are thinking about. However w/more research it appears failures if they happen occur around 40k plus miles on the vehicle. This is not to say 40k is the magic #. We have 13.5k on our truck. For us roll the dice.

Safe travels

[KJRitchie]

I started this thread not knowing this one existed. Should've searched with T51.

http://www.airforums.com/forums/f463...ll-175481.html

My 2015 Ram has 23k miles. Since I'm on the road full-time I will have to contact dealers along the our journey path throughout the southwest. We are stationery right now until the middle of January.

Kelvin