So I have a 06 Dodge Ram 2500 Megacab with 212k on the clock. The problem I am having is the engine is blowing oil. I took it to a local mechanic who told me the Injector blew something into the cylinder, and cracked the rings which is causing the issue. So I have been told it will be roughly 10-12k to fix this issue due to a new engine being needed.

My question is, has anyone else had this kind of issue? It just seems very odd to me. Before I drop 12k for this repair, I would just go buy a new truck.

Thanks in advance.

 

Cracked rings are common on these motors.I don't know why this is but it happens! Caused by an injector is bull crap! Find a shop that will drop the pan and pull the head. Good time to do some upgrades! I bet the cylinders still look new! Where are you located? Do you have any mechanical skills? Maybe find a college that teaches diesel mechanics could be a school project! Or find an engine locally they sell for around 6 grand complete and have a shop put it in for a grand!

 

we build these engines on a very regular basis in fact i have two in the shop at this very moment that we are building. cracked rings are very common on the 04.5-07 5.9 engines because of how close the top ring is to the top of the piston. but part of what the mechanic told you is most likly correct. 90% of the time that we do a compression test and find a dead cylinder the injector in that cylinder will fail a flow bench test. what happens is the injector starts putting too much fuel into the cylinder which causes that cylinder to overheat and break the ring on that piston. even if you have a pyro you will not notice a great increase in over all EGT because its only the one cylinder. also the exhaust valves in the bad cylinder are burnt most of the time and need replaced along with the seats. you could pay someone to drop the pan and pull the head but if broken rings are the problem then you still wont be able to tell it unless the cylinder is scored from the edge of the broken ring. what you need done is a compression test that will tell you for sure if that is your problem. good compression will be 500-450psi cummins min spec is 350psi with a broken ring they will show 150-0 psi. buying a salvage engine is a decent option and yes they will run around $6000. the $12,000 for a new engine is crazy. typical rebuilds run in the $4000 range assuming that one cylinder in the block needs sleeved and reusing 5 of the pistons just putting new rings on them. if one was to replace all 6 pistons then the repair would run a little over $5000. keep in mind those are average numbers. if the block has no damage is it possible to do the repair in frame for much less with just replacing the damaged piston (because when the rings break they damage the ring land on the piston most of the time) and putting new rings on the other 5 and new rod bearings on all 6. that type of repair can be done around $3000. if the head ends up not being usable then you can figure an additional $1600 on top of any of those repair prices so it can range anywhere from $2500-$7500 depending on what all has to be done.

just me but i wouldnt want anybody "learning" on my $6000 engine.

 

just me but i wouldnt want anybody "learning" on my $6000 engine. Good point Dustin!
I like your write up! I was just thinking of cheap possible ways for this guy! injector failure = melted piston! True!

 

thanks buddy! i dont mind explaining the why behind my answers but yeah it dosnt look good for him. i'm trying to gather enough cores that we can start offering an exchange engine program. i wouldnt mind fixes his engine if he wanted to pull it and ship it to me.

 

That is a great idea! BUT These motors are like gold! If you find one you hide it till you need it!
So getting a stock pile together is going to be almost impossible! Maybe a few but what you get back will be windowed or worse! And then you'll be at square one again! Where are you located?
Shipping will be cost prohibitive too!

 

I am in northern Arkansas. A guy shipped me an engine from PA and he said it cost him $235 so i figure that it will be the same going back. $500 on a $6000 really isnt that bad if he wanted custom machine work. For a regular overhaul tho might not be so cost effective. You are right about the returned cores. Would have to charge for crap like that coming in.

Sent with a Droid RAZR in one hand and 14,000 volts in the other.