Cummins 6BTA 5.9 Gear Case Dowel Pin Issuse

[amx1kjw]

My 6BTA5.9-M2’s, CPL 1928 in my 1997, 4788 Bayliner. Both engines were manufactured in 1996. Port engine sn:45352537 & has 2215 hrs, Starboard engine sn:45356373 and 2205 hrs.
I have read that these engines have an issue with the gear case alignment dowel pin (Cummins 3958017 replaces original pn) moving forward and falling into the gearing causing engine failure. I have also read on this forum that these are and issue on truck engines and NOT marine engines.
Why is that, and should I check my engines?
Thanks in advance..

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[Tony Athens]

You are referring to the “Killer Dowel Pin” syndrome issue..

This was never a “factory” marine engine issue .. The issue was only related to engines installed in trucks or similar applications–Why?

The much higher heat involved under the hood of a vehicle that would expand the aluminum and in a few cases, allowed the alignment dowel pin to come out..

Don’t loose any sleep on your 6BTA 5.9 M2’s.. You have way more important things on your 25 year old engines to maintain properly–99% of them are related to the seawater system–Aftercooler, seawater pump, HX and then the design of your exhaust system proper engine loading.

[Author]

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