Blown head gasket 8.9 liter near knoxville,TN

[sceptre155]

Head gasket went today, just 30 miles north of knoxville. Smelled antireeze an found the problem, steam shooting out between head and block near the transmission bell housing. This is a reman engine from cummins with less that 50k miles since installed. It was installed 12 years ago with a 5 year/200k mile warranty, but at this point im assuming Cummins wont do anyting for me.

Good thing is that it didnt overheat before I found it. But not sure that makes much dfference at this point.

Looking for recommendations for mechanics near knoxville that can handle the repair.

[Randy Dupree]

sorry to hear about the failure.
Good luck finding some help.

[Thumbqdm]

I've talked to Paul Owens this afternoon. He was in the process of getting towed to the Knoxville Cummins Service Center. Paul's description of the issue certainly points to a head gasket failure, however this is a remanufactured engine that was installed in 2012. It is not a 2003 engine BB purchased to be used in the M380's. If Cummins confirms it is a failed head gasket, then M380 owners will probably be wondering why, and at only 50,000 miles?

Paul did say his engine brake downshifts to 4th gear. M380 owners know how easy it is to over-rev the engine in 4th gear if you engage the engine brake going 60-mph or more. Many, myself included have had the Allison trans reprogrammed to use 5th gear when the engine brake is engaged. I don't recall reading anywhere that there was conclusive proof of a head gasket or engine defect causing the initial M380 failures. If I'm wrong please correct me.

I guess I'm just thinking out loud, but is it possible over-revving the engine, when engaging the engine brake in HIGH, could be causing an over-pressure condition in the cylinders and particularly in cylinder 6?

I guess we wait for Paul's confirmation on the issue. In the meantime this is all food for thought.

Attached is a Cummins document regarding the engine brake.

[Randy Dupree]

the jake brake is something Jim B. and i have talked about for many years.
He and I both think it could be related to head gasket failures on the 380's.
We have no proof,but if i had a 380 i would not use the jake.
And i love jake brakes.

[isp2952]

It must only be the ones in the M380. Can't recall anyone in a BMC or LX that has Cummins engines in them that has had an issue. Knowing my luck I'll be the first! Anybody want to take my place ahead of the line!

[1984Lodge]

Wonder about the difference in how the allison/cummins interface is programed. Wonder if there should be some sort of inhibit on it engaging if it knows its going to over-rev the engine, they may have figured that out on the BMC's or a different program. Certainly changing it to downshift to 5th would be helpful.

[Randy Dupree]

Originally Posted by 1984Lodge

Wonder about the difference in how the allison/cummins interface is programed. Wonder if there should be some sort of inhibit on it engaging if it knows its going to over-rev the engine, they may have figured that out on the BMC's or a different program. Certainly changing it to downshift to 5th would be helpful.

the S60's would over rev the engine too,down shifting into 4th gear was not smart.
(before charm school i would have said "stupid")

[ChrisN]

Originally Posted by isp2952

It must only be the ones in the M380. Can't recall anyone in a BMC or LX that has Cummins engines in them that has had an issue. Knowing my luck I'll be the first! Anybody want to take my place ahead of the line!

M380 has a ISL (8.9L). BMC40 and LX have a ISM (10.8L). Please correct me if I am wrong.

[StarChief]

Originally Posted by Randy Dupree

the S60's would over rev the engine too,down shifting into 4th gear was not smart.
(before charm school i would have said "stupid")

That’s why you’re so…charming?

[atckip]

The Allison tech who reprogramed my Detroit in Casper told me.....Detroit and Allison spent a bunch of money to test and develop this system. If company thought it would be an issue, it wouldn't be an option