Tips to keep your Cummins Diesel engine trucking
Ram Trucks serving the Treasure Valley

If you are familiar with diesel trucks, then you know that if you maintain your diesel engine with a little TLC, it will return the favor with many, many miles of reliability and stamina. Here in the Boise area and surrounding communities, we know hard work. And so does your Ram diesel truck, powered by the best that Cummins has to offer. We've compiled some useful tips to help you maintain your diesel motor in Boise so that you can drive every brute mile with confidence.

At Larry H. Miller Chrysler Jeep Dodge Ram Boise, we want you to enjoy your truck and not have to worry about unnecessary maintenance or costly repairs. We hope you find value in these tips we've provided, and if you have any questions at all about your Ram truck in Boise, call us at 866-908-1636 and we will be happy to assist you.
    
    Cummins Recommended Maintenance Schedule - B and C Series Midrange Engines:

 Interval: Replace: Inspect:
 Every 3 months or 6,000 miles:
  • Lube Oil & Filter
  • Drain water and sediment from fuel tank(s)
  • Air Cleaner Restriction
  • Air Intake System
 Every 6 months or 12,000 miles:
  • Lube Oil & Filter
  • Fuel Filter
  • Coolant Filter (C Series only)
  • Drain water and sediment from fuel tank(s)
  • Air Cleaner
  • Air Intake System
  • Antifreeze Freeze Point
 Every 12 months or 24,000 miles:
  • Lube Oil & Filter
  • Fuel Filter
  • Coolant Filter (C Series only)
  • Adjust Valve Lash Clearance
  • Drain water and sediment from fuel tank(s)
  • Air Cleaner
  • Air Intake System
  • Antifreeze
  • Fan Hub
  • Belt Tensioner Bearing
  • Belt Tension
  • Charge Air Cooler
 Every 2 years or 48,000 miles:
  • Lube Oil & Filter
  • Fuel Filter
  • Coolant Filter (C Series only)
  • Belt Tensioner Bearing
  • Adjust Valve Lash
  • Antifreeze
  • Drain water and sediment from fuel tank(s)
  • Air Cleaner
  • Air Intake System
  • Antifreeze
  • Fan Hub
  • Belt Tension Clearance
  • Charge Air Cooler
  • Vibration Damper
 
Operation Tips:

  • Allow the engine to idle 3 to 5 minutes before shutting it off after a full load operation. This allows the lubrication oil and coolant to carry heat away from the combustion chamber, bearings, shafts and turbocharger, and helps prevent carboning the engine oil.
  • When an engine has been out of operation for more than 30 days, Cummins recommends disconnecting the wire to the fuel shut-off valve and cranking the engine until oil pressure shows on the gauge before starting the engine. This practice will prevent "dry starts" and allow oil to the bearings and shafts prior to starting the engine. A toggle switch can be wired into the starting system for this.
  • Never operate your engine beyond high idle speed under any circumstances. When descending a steep grade, use a combination of transmission gears and engine or service brakes to control the vehicle and engine speed to less than governed rpm. Failure to do this can cause engine damage.


Maintenance Tips:

  • Mechanical overtightening of the oil and fuel filters can distort the threads or damage the filter element seal. Install the filter as specified by the filter manufacturer.
  • Wait until the coolant temperature is below 50°C (120°F) before removing the coolant system pressure cap. Failure to do so can cause personal injury from heated coolant spray.
  • Cummins B and C Series engines should have initial valve adjustments at 24,000 miles, then every 48,000 miles afterward.
  • Cummins recommends the cooling system be drained and flushed every two years and refilled with a 50/50 mixture of low-silicate antifreeze and water. This provides freeze protection to -34°F. Freeze protection decreases above 68% antifreeze.
  • Never use caustic cleaners in the cooling system. Aluminum components will be damaged.
  • Cummins recommends that fuel filters be changed at least every other oil change. Fuel/water separator filters should be checked daily - drain any accumulated water. Do not drain an excessive amount of fuel out or re-priming the fuel system may be required to get engine started.
  • Fill the oil filters with clean lubricating oil when changing the engine oil to ensure immediate bearing lubrication when restarting the engine. Failure to pre-lube the oil filter may cause bearing damage.
  • Cummins used/dirty filter maximum restriction is 510mm H20 (20 in. H20) for naturally aspirated midrange engines (B and C Series) and 635mm H20 (25 in. H20) for all turbocharged midrange, heavy-duty and high-horsepower engines. Excessive air intake restriction can result in black smoke under load, poor fuel consumption, low power and increased soot levels.


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Contact

Larry H. Miller Chrysler Jeep Dodge Ram Boise

222 S Auto Dr
Directions Boise, ID 83709-0748

  • Sales: 8552496923
  • Service: (208) 297-7480
  • Parts: (208) 514-4555
*Information found on Cummins International website.