Cummins ISX Delete Reviews: What Are the Possible Issues?

Everyone loves good engine performance and fuel economy. And while the Cummins ISX does a decent job at both, you feel like it could be even better. In an effort to improve it even further, you start researching the possible methods to achieve this. And one of the said methods is deleting your Cummins ISX.

While it doesn't seem easy, the results sound promising. After all, fewer stops at a gas station are worth any cost, right? But are they? Before you delete your Cummins ISX engine, you should know that it can lead to several problems. And some of them are very serious.

In this article, you'll learn the following about deleting a Cummins ISX engine:

• What it means
• Why do people do it
• 5 issues it can cause
• Whether it's legal or not
• What effects it has on engine performance
• Alternate methods of improving its performance

What does deleting a Cummins ISX engine mean?

Contrary to the popular belief, deleting an engine doesn't mean physically removing it from your vehicle. That would be not only useless but also impossible. But what does it mean then?

When people delete their Cummins ISX engine, they tamper with it its emission control system. The idea is to boost engine performance. Deleting a Cummins ISX engine typically refers to removing its exhaust gas recirculation system. However, removing the diesel particulate filter or the selective catalytic reduction system achieves the same effects.

The drawback is increased pollution since the exhaust gas exits the vehicle unfiltered.

What's the point of deleting a Cummins ISX engine? 3 reasons people do it

People delete their Cummins ISX engine in hopes to boost its performance. Removing some of the filtration systems can put less strain on the engine, making it rather better.

Here are 3 reasons why people delete their Cummins ISX engine:

1) Better performance

People believe that deleting their Cummins ISX will boost its performance. It does to an extent. Removing the emission control places less strain on the engine, increasing its horsepower and acceleration rate. But keep in mind this can vary from one case to another. Sometimes, deleting may backfire and have the opposite effect.

2) Better fuel economy

Another reason why people delete the Cummins ISX from their trucks is to improve their fuel economy. The more exhaust fumes leave the engine, the more efficiently it can consume fuel. But while deleting the Cummins ISX will usually increase its performance, it doesn't necessarily lead to better fuel economy. It can depend on other factors such as maintenance and the age of your truck.

3) Cheaper maintenance

And finally, people delete their Cummins ISX to cut down on their maintenance costs. The idea behind it is simple - the fewer systems the engine has, the less can go wrong. While this can be true initially, an unregulated engine has a much lower lifespan. Thus, the long-term costs can be much higher.

5 Issues that result from deleting a Cummins ISX engine

While deleting your Cummins ISX engine may sound tempting, we advise against it. Doing has more drawbacks than benefits.

Here are 5 issues you may run into when you delete your Cummins ISX engine:

1) You will face financial and legal repercussions

You shouldn't delete your Cummins ISX, or any engine in general if only because it's illegal. Tampering with your emission control system is prohibited in many countries, including the US. If you get caught, you'll face expensive fines or even more serious legal repercussions.

If you run a company, this can damage your reputation as well. Never allow anyone to delete the emission controls on your trucks to avoid these issues.

2) It leads to increased pollution

You may be wondering why it's illegal to remove your Cummins ISX engine. The answer is pollution. Removing the exhaust gas circulation allows undiluted exhaust fumes to enter the atmosphere. These contain toxins such as particulate matter and sulfur and nitrogen oxides. The fumes also contain greenhouse gases that contribute to global warming. This is the main reason why the emission control system exists.

3) Its longevity will decrease

Although emission control systems help prevent pollution, they have another purpose as well - they increase your Cummins ISX's longevity. They help the engine process diesel in short sustainable bursts rather than all at once. Thus, it works under less pressure.

When you remove the emission control system, the engine will work harder. The increased heat and friction will cause it to wear down faster. This then leads to higher repair costs and reduced overall lifespan.

4) You'll lose your warranty and insurance

Most vehicles come with a warranty for a certain amount of time. And if you don't want to take any chances, you can insure it as well. Removing the exhaust gas recirculation will lose you both. The warranty and insurance don't extend to vehicles that you've tampered with. If you lose them, you will have to cover potential repair costs from your own wallet. And trusts us, they're not cheap.

5) It won't necessarily improve your fuel economy

Although many sources claim to delete your Cummins ISX engine will boost your fuel economy, this isn't always true. Your fuel economy depends mostly on regular maintenance. If you delete your engine but fail to keep operational fluids up their recommended lines, your fuel economy won't improve.

The deletion process can sometimes have the opposite effect, which is just another reason why you should stay away from this harmful 'life-hack'.

Is it legal for you to delete a Cummins ISX engine?

Deleting your Cummins ISX engine would be illegal in all 50 states. If you do it anyway and get caught, you can face fines and even jail time. The fines are incredibly expensive - they can climb up to $5,000.

If you cause environmental damage, you could face more serious repercussions such as jail time.

If you know someone who removed their Cummins ISX engine without any repercussions, it's likely because they haven't been caught yet. We don't recommend taking this risk.

Regular maintenance is a much better way to improve your Cummins ISX's performance.

Will deleting a Cummins ISX engine really improve its performance?

Contrary to the popular belief, deleting a Cummins ISX engine won't improve its performance. While it can increase its horsepower a little, it isn't sustainable long-term. A deleted engine is often less stable and won't last as long. And when it finally breaks down, your warranty and insurance won't cover it because you tampered with it.

It won't improve your fuel economy either. It often has the opposite effect, making your engine consume even more fuel than would otherwise. Deleting your Cummins ISX is illegal as well and we advise against it.

The better alternative to deleting a Cummins ISX engine

If you want to improve the performance of your Cummins ISX engine, there are better methods. Firstly, you should perform maintenance on your truck at least once a month. Check all the levels of all fluids and replenish them as needed. This will reduce heat and friction, improving your engine's health.

The fuel quality is also important. While cheaper fuel may look tempting, it can lead to issues such as misfiring or even stalling. Better quality diesel will do more for your engine's performance than deleting.

And finally, inspect your emission control systems during every maintenance. Keeping them in a good condition works much better than deleting them.

Our final thoughts on deleting a Cummins ISX engine

Deleting your Cummins ISX refers to removing its emission control system. The idea is to boost its horsepower and mileage. But while it can lead to a slightly better performance, there are many reasons why you shouldn't do it.

Perhaps the most important one is that it's illegal. Tampering with your emission control system is prohibited not only in the US but in most countries across the world. If you get caught, you could face fees of up to ten thousand dollars. Not to mention it can damage your reputation as an employer/employee.

The main reason why it's illegal is that it increases pollution. Diesel engines produce toxic fumes containing sulfur and nitrogen oxides. These are toxic not only to the environment but also to people. Some of the exhaust gases contribute to global warming.

But deleting your Cummins ISX isn't good for your vehicle either. Although many think that it will lead to reduced maintenance costs, it has the opposite effect. Your engine will run much harder without emission control, leading to more friction and heat. Thus, it will wear down much faster. Engines are very expensive to replace, which is another reason why we don't recommend this method.

You will also lose your warranty and insurance if you go through with the deletion process - neither one applies if you tamper with your truck.

If you want to increase your engine's performance, do it the right way. Regular maintenance will lead to much better results. Make sure you check the emission control system as well as the fluid levels. This will not only increase its longevity but also its performance.