Risk of shooting flames causes Cummins Westport to recall 25,000 natural gas engines

Updated Mar 5, 2014
Cummins Westport ISX12GCummins Westport ISX12G

Certain Cummins Westport natural gas engines could cause flames to shoot from your exhaust.

But this isn’t some type of hot rod modification. It’s a serious defect that has caused Cummins and its joint venture with Westport to initiate a recall.

The recall affects certain natural gas engines in the Cummins Westport ISL G and ISX12 G model lines, due to a potential defect that could raise exhaust temperatures and cause a fire.

According to our sister site CCJ, Cummins is recalling 25,000 of the natural gas engines saying that in cold enough weather the defect could even “shoot flames out of the exhaust pipe.”

Engines being recalled are those Cummins Westport ISL G engines manufactured between January 3, 2013 and February 2, 2014 as well as those built between September 12, 2007 and January 2, 2013. The latter, older engines are being recalled because they could have been recalibrate during service that took place between January 2013 and February 2014.

The recall also includes Cummins Westport ISX12 G engines made between February 19, 2013 and February 2, 2014.

How is the risk of fire caused? In below-freezing temperatures, ice could form in or near the intake manifold’s temperature and pressure sensor, causing the sensor to malfunction. Then, the engine’s ECM could improperly fuel the engine, causing increased exhaust temperatures and possibly flames shooting from the exhaust pipe.

Cummins and Cummins Westport say that in most cases the defect will simply cause an engine misfire, causing the engine to log a fault code and turn on a dash lamp. Cummins and Cummins Westport will soon notify owners who will be able to drop by their dealer where a new ECM calibration will be performed free of charge.

Engine owners can call 1-800-343-7357 for more info. The recall number is C1462 for ISL G engines and C1461 for ISX12 G engines.