TECHNICAL INFORMATION
It has been brought to our attention that a few DaimlerChrysler service technicians are
recommending that the FRAM PH3976 filter not be used on DaimlerChrysler vehicles with
the Cummins 5.9L Turbo Diesel engine and that use of these filters can cause damage to
the engine. DaimlerChrysler has informed us that they released a Technical Service
Bulletin to their dealerships communicating a potential contamination issue and
recommending the use of Fleetguard manufactured filters.
FRAM has been selling PH3976 filter for this engine application since the engine platform
launch and it has maintained an extremely reliable service record.
Late in 2000, Cummins and DaimlerChrysler brought to our attention a low incidence
failure mode in their Cummins 5.9L Turbo Diesel engine of the piston cooling nozzle
plugging, resulting in engine failure. The plugging was caused by contaminates lodging in
the nozzle. The contaminants included metal chips, calcium carbonate, polyethylene, and
styrene butadiene that are not associated with filter manufacture, and a neoprene
compound, which is used as a sealant on the tapping plate of the filter. There were also
several other engine warranty issues determined unrelated to the piston cooling nozzle
plugging that were part of the engine failure sample.
A small amount of neoprene rubber was used in the FRAM filter as a sealant. Throughout
our investigation with Cummins & DaimlerChrysler on various engine failures, no
conclusive evidence was found to assign cause to filters or other contamination
sources. However, driven to satisfy our customers, the FRAM engineering team made
modifications to the design eliminating the neoprene and expedited development and
manufacturing to release a revised filter model number to PH3976A.
With the design change on the PH3976A completely removing the use of neoprene,
there is absolutely no validity in comments that the Fram filter should not be used
for this application or that it may cause engine failures associated with plugged
nozzles.
The Honeywell Consumer Products Group warranty policy also protects the consumer if it
is determined that a FRAM filter is responsible for damage to an engine due to defects in
design or workmanship.
This information should be openly conveyed to our customers if they have any concerns or
apprehension about using a FRAM filter for this application.
It has been brought to our attention that a few DaimlerChrysler service technicians are
recommending that the FRAM PH3976 filter not be used on DaimlerChrysler vehicles with
the Cummins 5.9L Turbo Diesel engine and that use of these filters can cause damage to
the engine. DaimlerChrysler has informed us that they released a Technical Service
Bulletin to their dealerships communicating a potential contamination issue and
recommending the use of Fleetguard manufactured filters.
FRAM has been selling PH3976 filter for this engine application since the engine platform
launch and it has maintained an extremely reliable service record.
Late in 2000, Cummins and DaimlerChrysler brought to our attention a low incidence
failure mode in their Cummins 5.9L Turbo Diesel engine of the piston cooling nozzle
plugging, resulting in engine failure. The plugging was caused by contaminates lodging in
the nozzle. The contaminants included metal chips, calcium carbonate, polyethylene, and
styrene butadiene that are not associated with filter manufacture, and a neoprene
compound, which is used as a sealant on the tapping plate of the filter. There were also
several other engine warranty issues determined unrelated to the piston cooling nozzle
plugging that were part of the engine failure sample.
A small amount of neoprene rubber was used in the FRAM filter as a sealant. Throughout
our investigation with Cummins & DaimlerChrysler on various engine failures, no
conclusive evidence was found to assign cause to filters or other contamination
sources. However, driven to satisfy our customers, the FRAM engineering team made
modifications to the design eliminating the neoprene and expedited development and
manufacturing to release a revised filter model number to PH3976A.
With the design change on the PH3976A completely removing the use of neoprene,
there is absolutely no validity in comments that the Fram filter should not be used
for this application or that it may cause engine failures associated with plugged
nozzles.
The Honeywell Consumer Products Group warranty policy also protects the consumer if it
is determined that a FRAM filter is responsible for damage to an engine due to defects in
design or workmanship.
This information should be openly conveyed to our customers if they have any concerns or
apprehension about using a FRAM filter for this application.
