Greetings

I am a new member and i would like to ask some simple questions.
I used to have a 1998 6.5L diesel suburban and i sold it about 4 months ago.
I loved that vehicle but REALLY dislike ALL its problems (FSD/PMD, Injector pump, lift pump, sensors not functioning etc...) overall it was a very unreliable
vehicle for my family and i to use (even to go to the grocery store). i was always afraid to breakdown.

Now here i am, looking into a 2000 /2001 Cummins Quad Cab 4wd SLT and as much as i dislike the 6.5L chevy engine i would like to know if i am going to run into the same problem with a cummins engine. I am not going to tow anything, nor abuse the truck i just want to know if the cummins engine ( + its electronic "gadgets") is a reliable engine i can trust.

My wife has a 2004 GOLF TDI and that little car gets us wherever we want to go whenever we want to go and this is what i am looking for in my future cummins engine truck.
I love to maintain cars (simple things like oil change, fluid drainage, lube, etc...) but i do not want to spend $$$$ and time just to go on a camping trip or just to drive around town and fear that something will go wrong.

I guess what i am asking is: what is the 2000 /2001 cummins engine ( + electronic) weakness and what kind of problem are they known for ?

I am sorry to write such a long thread, i just want to know what am i getting into.

Thank you for reading my post and to accompany me in the cummins "pleasant" journey.

Cheers

Eric

 

Welcome to the forum.

Generally the Cummins is a very reliable engine. The biggest issue with them is the lift pump, and if it goes the injection pump will follow. There are some simple solutions though that can address this and make it a non-issue. A fuel pressure gauge and an aftermarket lift pump will go a long way toward your goal of reliability. I own a third generation truck and am more familiar with their issues. Hopefully someone else will chime in.

 

even though i havent had the problem, thats exactly what i was going to say...watch the lift pump and VP44 fuel injector pump....but like he said, its easy to bypass the situation with a FASS pump and gauge which should run you around $500-ish. after that, you can drive your cummins til the truck falls apart around the motor.

ooo one more thing...if ya get a dodge ram, get a standard transmission....the automatic trannys are another one of dodge's weaknesses