Opinions on Cummins Engine Break-in

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tadalex

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I'm new to this forum, but have owned Dodge RAM trucks since 1996. While I've searched forums with keywords on break-in and such, I haven't found anything. My apologies in advance if this is an old topic that I've missed.

I'm picking up my new 2011 RAM 3500 tomorrow about 500 miles away. As this is a brand spankin' new (8 miles on the odom), I'm concerned about driving it at constant highway speeds for 6 - 7 hours.

Over the years, I've heard various opinions about what to do and not to do. I've also heard that "today's engines" are machined to much finer tolerances that in years gone by, and engine break-in is no longer the issue it once was. So, I've heard that you shouldn't tow because of the added stress on the entire powertrain. I've also heard you shouldn't drive at constant speeds for long periods of time and you shouldn't rev the engine up.

Does anyone have any scientific or empirical data (pipe in your gut feelings as well) or details on what engine break-in is recommended these days for maximum engine life and fuel economy?

Thanks in advance.
 

ramhunter9

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They don't get broke in until about 100k. So you are fine. Drive like normal bud it's a cummins it's built for anything.

I will also move this to the cummins section for you so you can get better feedback
 

dripley

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i bought mine in late 01 when my v10 blew. i was concerned with the same thing. the mech's at the dealer told me to drive the **** out of it. the owners manual said the same thing although worde differantly. the manual says "Your Cummins 24 valve Turbo Diesel does not require a normal break-in period due to its construction" it further states 'Because of the construction of the Cummins Diesel engine, engine run in is enhanced by loaded operating conditions which allow the engine parts to achieve final finish and fit during the first 6k miles" i took delivery of mine and strapped an 11k 5th wheel to the back of it and drove it from SC to NJ at highway speed. since i only move my rv 3 or 4 times a year mine did not break in in 6k miles, it was more like 25k miles. it was like getting a new truck when it finally started to wear in. if just got stronger and stronger for about 5k miles. today the engine is stonger than when i was new.
it probably would not hurt to ask the dealer and read the manual to be sure nothing has changed with the cummins. if it has not load it up and drive it. they were not made just to ride around in, they were made to work and work hard.
 

Mopar1973Man

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i bought mine in late 01 when my v10 blew. i was concerned with the same thing. the mech's at the dealer told me to drive the **** out of it. the owners manual said the same thing although worde differantly. the manual says "Your Cummins 24 valve Turbo Diesel does not require a normal break-in period due to its construction" it further states 'Because of the construction of the Cummins Diesel engine, engine run in is enhanced by loaded operating conditions which allow the engine parts to achieve final finish and fit during the first 6k miles" i took delivery of mine and strapped an 11k 5th wheel to the back of it and drove it from SC to NJ at highway speed. since i only move my rv 3 or 4 times a year mine did not break in in 6k miles, it was more like 25k miles. it was like getting a new truck when it finally started to wear in. if just got stronger and stronger for about 5k miles. today the engine is stonger than when i was new.
it probably would not hurt to ask the dealer and read the manual to be sure nothing has changed with the cummins. if it has not load it up and drive it. they were not made just to ride around in, they were made to work and work hard.


Agreed... Hitch up a trailer and work the truck...

The only thing I would do is allow the engine to fully warm up before laying your foot into it. So fire it up and put it gear drive nice and easy till the engine temp is up fully then you can cut her loose... (Grin)

With any truck I would suggest you consider getting gauges for it eventually. Best way to protect your investment!

As for 6.7L truck with the DPF they are not daily drivers trucks. You need to get the EGT's up to 1,000*F for a period of time every day to burn the carbon from the DPF filter and to keep it from Regen'ing all the time. Once again these truck are made to work...

Heck I got a buddy with a 01 Dodge Cummins that rolled the 1 MILLION miles... These trucks are designed for the long haul...

24nkutv.jpg
 
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Mopar1973Man

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^^bad ass!

More coming up to bat... :naughty:
Dodge Cummins Milestones

So truely the Cummins engine don't complete break in period for at least 100K miles... Midlife is right around 400-500K miles if taken care of. The million mile engine I is still running back and forth across the US hauling boats daily. As for the million mile truck he blew a head gasket at around 700K miles (coolant jack to exterior) and when the head was off he still had cross harching in the bores... It not even hurt!
 
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quietpeen

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welcome to RF. I've always heard to to put them to work
 

dripley

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Agreed... Hitch up a trailer and work the truck...

The only thing I would do is allow the engine to fully warm up before laying your foot into it. So fire it up and put it gear drive nice and easy till the engine temp is up fully then you can cut her loose... (Grin)

With any truck I would suggest you consider getting gauges for it eventually. Best way to protect your investment!

As for 6.7L truck with the DPF they are not daily drivers trucks. You need to get the EGT's up to 1,000*F for a period of time every day to burn the carbon from the DPF filter and to keep it from Regen'ing all the time. Once again these truck are made to work...

Heck I got a buddy with a 01 Dodge Cummins that rolled the 1 MILLION miles... These trucks are designed for the long haul...

24nkutv.jpg

thanks MM. the warm up part was buried in between the quotes from the owners manual. definately needs to be done before stepping on it hard.
gauges are your best freind. they will let you know what is going on inside that engine and anything else you want to minter.
 

ramhunter9

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Now that is what I call getting your moneys worth ... wow 1 mil miles ... awesome
 

anoldbiker

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When I bought my 06 new, (like I always did) I read the book and broke her in, (what you might call break-in) per the book on 'before towing'. Only took 1,500 to 2,000 miles. Then I strapped a 12,000 # trailer full of stuff and moved cross country. Since then I have maintained it somewhat per the schedule and have not had any issues. The main thing per Cummins is to do the required maintenance. If you do, you'll get somewhere around 750k to 1 million miles before possible rebuild.

My friend had an 05 rig with the Cummins and hauls heavy loads (56' boxed trailer) between the City of Angles and Seattle every week and has over 1.5 million miles ... and still running strong.

Read the requirement to meet before pulling, do it, then run like hell and enjoy.
 

dripley

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When I bought my 06 new, (like I always did) I read the book and broke her in, (what you might call break-in) per the book on 'before towing'. Only took 1,500 to 2,000 miles. Then I strapped a 12,000 # trailer full of stuff and moved cross country. Since then I have maintained it somewhat per the schedule and have not had any issues. The main thing per Cummins is to do the required maintenance. If you do, you'll get somewhere around 750k to 1 million miles before possible rebuild.

My friend had an 05 rig with the Cummins and hauls heavy loads (56' boxed trailer) between the City of Angles and Seattle every week and has over 1.5 million miles ... and still running strong.

Read the requirement to meet before pulling, do it, then run like hell and enjoy.

this is why i said to check with the dealer and the manual. i went back and checked mine and except for common sense things to do that you are ready to tow right out of the box. it woud appear some things have chnged since 02.
 

anoldbiker

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this is why i said to check with the dealer and the manual. i went back and checked mine and except for common sense things to do that you are ready to tow right out of the box. it woud appear some things have chnged since 02.


Not arguing, but per my owners manual and an old mechanic, it's the first 500 miles before running higher freeway speeds, them the higher freeway speeds until 2k, then hooking it up and go.

It was important ... the first 2k before seeing a trailer.
 

dripley

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Not arguing, but per my owners manual and an old mechanic, it's the first 500 miles before running higher freeway speeds, them the higher freeway speeds until 2k, then hooking it up and go.

It was important ... the first 2k before seeing a trailer.

i dont think you are arguing at all. that was the concern i had when i bought it. my v10 blew in the middle of a road trip and i did not have much choice aother than leaving the rv behind. i would have had the dealer and the manual said not to tow any thing for that first 2k. the dealer and the 2002 owners manual said to hook up and go. so i went. things change and thats why i said read the manual and be sure. i would not want to hurt a mans brand new truck.
 

ramhunter9

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So OP ? How many miles on her now ?
 
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