I recently was introduced to the dowel pin problem. On the TDR web site, people talk about it as a necessity to be fixed or it will come out and break things. How many here have had the problem and how many have fixed it? Anybody have any first hand experience? My truck is a 2002, but my brother's is a 97.
RED121572
12-04-2002, 08:16 PM
What dowel pin?
hibbertd
12-05-2002, 12:57 AM
Yours does not have the problem. Cummins fixed it in the 98 model. I was asking for more information. According to posts on web sites, a dowel pin in the timing gear housing can work itself loose and land in the gears.
We have fixed a few, sometimes a bolt also comes out and goes through the gears.
PSiemens
01-02-2003, 01:47 AM
I have experienced KDP failure. Dodge Cummins first gens 1989 - 1993 have some but not many KDP failures. The 1994 through 1999 Rams experience dowel pin damage. The early 24 valve motors used the 12 valve gear housing. The most trouble some years are 1997 and 1998. The fix is to tab or jig.
Phil
mjamgb
01-07-2003, 08:17 PM
OK, stupid question, but...
After looking at the solutions to the KDP, I can't help but wonder if anyone has just run a bolt/screw directly through the timing cover. Is this silly? is there a fair amount of pressure pushing the pin out? Does it leak like a seive? does the bolt/screw head interfere with the belt? Is it because people prefer "elegant" solutions? Is it because people feel safer drilling in aluminum rather than steel?
Mike!:confused:
PSiemens
01-08-2003, 01:13 AM
The dowel pin location. First problem to overcome: where to drill in the cover relative to dowel pin location. If you pull cover to measure/locate, then you might as well as tab.
Second: the cover is thin steel. It is not thick enough to tap for threads. A nut could be welded on but... easier to tab.
Lastly, not sure it a bolt head would interfere with serpentine belt.
Jigs and tabs are proven fixes that work. I prefer to tab as then I can see "what is going on".
Phil
DainBramage
02-09-2003, 11:07 PM
Dunno if this would work or not, but picked it up wheile having trouble with a dowel pin in a ford shifter.
Just find a drill bit (hardened steel) the right size, drive the shank to the necessary depth, cut off the excess. Its harder and more durable than just about any other fastener that you can get.
Just a thought.
