Went out and bought the new starter at AutoZone this morning. Then, crawled underneath the truck and started plugging away at it. I had a hard time getting the forward half starter out because of some piece of metal jutting out the side of the oil pan getting in the way. Oh wait a second, that's not supposed to be there... and neither is that big hole in the side of the oil pan. Nope, none of those are supposed to be there...

Looks like my engine threw a rod or something. Time to drop the oil pan and see what's in store for me. Damn it, the thing was just 100 miles of 173k and I took good care of it.

Hopefully the engine is salvageable. One thing's for certain, I'm out my ONLY vehicle at the moment and it looks like I'm in for an expensive rebuild.

Ted,


Did the metal come from the engine or the starter? If you threw a rod, the chances are your block is shot.

QM, the metal got thrown from the motor. There is a hole about 3" tall and 3/4" wide out the side of the oil pan, with the pieces of the oil pan facing outwards, indicating the explosion/whatever happened inside the motor.

So, any idea where I can get another 6.5 cheaply?Edited by: tdupuis

I might have a deal for you depending on which way i go here, but getting it there could create a problem... lol


Now i don't wish any bad luck on anyone here but sure makes me feel better that i'm not the only one having grief.

Ted, if I were you, I would open a phone book where I was and start calling local salvage yards for trucks looking for a 6.5 block. That would give you an idea what a core might cost you. If you have a compression tester you could check it as you turn the crank. You should be able to remove the old and install a replacement in two to three days with an engine lift, coveralls and a 100 piece tool set. It goes faster with a compressor and an airratchet. A service manual couldn't hurt either. When you're done , you'll have a set of heads and a block to splay for your stroker, unless the mains got broken off.


Also, you can find rebuilds online for $2700-8500 USD. and pay another $1500 or more to put it in.


I guess the good news is you can take that starter back.


Edited by: quantum mechanic

I could definitely swap out the motor without a problem in a few days (I'm a pretty decent mechanic) but if I swap out a motor, I want to put in a rebuilt one either by me or a reputable shop. I don't like putting used motors in a vehicle that I have to rely on every day. Depending on how a cost analysis factors out, I may decide to part out this truck and buy another one. I do love this truck and I would like to keep it, but we'll have to see how all the costs factor out.

CanadianRigger, it does feel better when you're not the only one having engine problems. That way you don't feel like a complete idiot. I may take you up on that offer, I'll send you a PM.

Well, found out that there are two nice holes in the oil pan, one on either side. From what I can feel with my fingers there's something majorly wrong inside, but I still want to get the pan off. Broke my oil filter wrench trying to get the oil filter off (hmm... that's BAD). Tomorrow will finish the job and post the results.

Ewwwww.... Are you sure your friend didn't somehow accidently knock it down a gear or two on the road giving it a little more rpm than it wanted. Not sure maybe these trucks have a safety and they won't let that happen?

Yeah, the transmission won't let you downshift if it sends the revs too high. I have a 4L80-E.

I don't have any experience with them, but I remember hearing about a place in Southern Illinois (Harrisburg) called Johnson Engines, that were supposed to be pretty good and fair priced.

Got the oil pan off this morning. Yeah, it threw a rod... badly. I believe the #8 cylinder (most rearward on the passenger side). Rod is in a billion pieces in the oil pan, bearings are gone, knocked the pickup off the oil pan. Cylinder wall got scored up very badly, probably can't be fixed without putting a liner in. Rest of the block itself looks ok, though.

At this point, the truck has 173k on the clock. I want to get an idea of what I can expect to have to replace in the next 25, 50, and 100,000 miles. I know that the suspension could use a rebuild at this point, I imagine the 4L80-E will go out on me. The 14-bolt may go out, may not. Probably need to do a water pump, know I'll need a starter and oil pan. I'd like to get an idea of what I can expect to go out when at this point so I can write up a spreadsheet of costs and such. I want to compare that to costs of buying a newer truck and figure it out from there. Right now I'm looking at buying a post-2000 truck with under 50k on the clock, i.e. something that I can expect fewer problems from, so I want to get an idea of how cost effective it would be vs. keeping this truck. I know keeping this truck would be cheaper, but I don't know that it's the better option for me. Any advice appreciated!Edited by: tdupuis

plan to buy a new motor or atleast short block, no cylinder liners in 6.5s, and if the crank has had that much stress on it, I wouldn't trust it to be straight or reliable anymore.

I think I'd go find a reasonable mileage 6.5 from a salvage yard. Maybe something with a 90-180 day warrenty or such. OR I'd go buy me a DMax with all the rebates and programs going on now. just my 2 cents of a thought.

If I put another engine in it's going to be a freshly rebuilt long block. I don't like screwing around with used motors or anything like that, not on a vehicle that I rely on for the kind of driving I do. I want to do the cost analysis and figure out how much I can expect this truck to cost me over the next however many miles and then compare it to cost analysis of buying a newer truck with a different motor. I think 50,000 miles is the time period I'm going to be looking at, as I think that'll probably be about 2 years or so for me. Doubt I'll be driving quite as many miles in the next 2 years as I have in the past 2 (past 2 have been 35k/year). So, with 173k on the clock what can I expect to break in the next 50k? I have a few thoughts, but would rather hear from those who've done it.

TDG, got your PM but it won't let me respond. Appreciate the offer but it won't work for me, thanks anyway!

I think at this point it would be really cost effective for you to just buy another used truck. I mean seriously, how muck more life do you think a truck with 173k on the clock has left in it? Is it worth spending $8000 on it just so you cn drive it another 20k miles before your tranny goes out, folowed by your rear diff, and then your transfere case, and then your suspension. The point is, your truck is at a point in its life where major parts start going out. Better to just put it out to pasture. It has been a great truck and it served you well for many years. Maybe its time to say goodbye.http://www.dieselplace.com/forum/smileys/Big Smile.gif Edited by: Juancho

Yeah, at this point that's basically what I've decided to do. I have a friend who wants to buy this truck off of me, throw in a used motor, and keep on driving it. For him it will be perfect as he only drives it locally and doesn't have to rely on it like I do for extended tows and such. So, I imagine that he'll be cruising on over here shortly with questions. I know one thing he'd like to know is who has a used engine for sale cheaply!

Went by the dealer today... will be ordering myself a brand spankin' new truck probably tomorrow. It's been fun!

Dude Your gettin a DMax?

Nah, Cummins. Figured I'd switch things up a bit and see how I like a Dodge. If I don't, they seem to hold their resale value pretty well, and I can then always go to a DMax. http://www.dieselplace.com/forum/smileys/Big Smile.gif

Surprisingly, the Cummins appears to be the best value in a diesel at the moment for new ones. My main question is whether or not the rest of the truck will hold up. We'll find out!

oh well enjoy and good luck

Hey Ted.


I recommend the 2004.5 Cummins 600... 12,000 km on mine (wife drives it mostly) With my Lance Camper and Boat behind I can still pass at will on the hills. (here in B.C. we have many hills) Dan

Thanks for the suggestion SteelyDan, that's what I'm going to be going for. Waiting to hear back from the dealership at the moment.

Well if your changing to a Dodge and you have any extra goodies you will no longer be needing like scanners and such maybe you can get a few bucks back on that stuff from some of the members here? I'm not in the market for anything myself but i'm sure some of the guy's here might be. Might as well put the stuff to good use.

If my friend buys the truck off of me I'm giving him all my goodies. If I'm doing something else with it (i.e. selling it on eBay) then I'll be removing the goodies. I'll make sure to post if I'm getting rid of any of my goodies (TurboMaster, etc.).

tdupuis,


Enjoy your Dodge Cummins. That is one hell of a powerplant. I have a '96 Ford Powerstroke in addition to my '95 6.5TD Burb, and there just ain't no comparison. The Cummins 5.9 and Navistar 444 are in a class by their own, and put the 6.5TD to shame. I'm still not completely sold on the DMax either. Seems like GM had some serious oil leak and transmision issue with the first generation DMax.


Good luck and enjoy the Dodge, I have to admit I am jealous, I would love to be able to afford a new Dodge cummins.