Engine/Transmission (1998.5 - 2002) Blew up my motor with 85k

[JBigelow]

This is grossly incorrect. You have a blown headgasket. Period. The EXACT same thing happened to me with the EXACT same model and year truck. I could'nt get help anywhere but here on the TDR. I had to rebuild the engine myself. I found headgasket material ALL over my engine. My HX-35 turbo is DARK BROWN. The headgasket becomes brittle with excessive temps (the paper component) and begins to flake off. The theory you heard about the weakend material of the headgasket is dead on. Why did Cummins go to an all meatal headgasket? The full flow oil filter did NOTHING! JBigelow, I have lived through this and I can help you, if you want.



Brian

Thanks Brian,

I am back on the road with a better than new motor, 5% less compression, Bigger turbo, larger intercooler, Bigger piston cooling jets ( I think that is what you call them) And a bunch of other stuff. It came in at just under

$17k (which is about what I owe) So I end up with more $ in this truck than a Brand new 05 ( the year I bought it). but, It does run sweet now. Much more power. very smooth. I went from an EZ box to the Drag comp. That thing kicks ***. In 1. 1 I get 18+ MPG going 65+ MT. Pulling in 1. 1 I get just under 10MPG I was getting 8-9. I can pull all my hills at 60+ if I want. So I am happy with it now. I posted to see what you guys thought caused it. Thanks for your imput.

 

[icman95]

I'm sorry to hear that your motor nuked itself, but I gotta say that 28K is a whole lotta weight! I'm all for pushing the truck a bit over its limits. I tow a 33 ft 5th toy hauler that when loaded with the Harley and my stuff puts the gross wt at a bit over 20,400lbs on the truck stop scale. I'm sure it could handle a bit more (this on stock power too. I'm finishing a list of upgrades this week to help out up hills) but perhaps at the risk of damage. I drive a Kenworth straight truck for a living and it grosses at 33k. You're only 5K away from that with a pickup truck!



Good luck!

 

[CSnyder]

Sorry to hear about your loss! I changed an 01 engine out this winter for a guy who had 91,000 on it. He lost 2 rod bearings with regular 5k oil changes and only Mopar filters. The biggest load it ever pulled was a 16 foot bumper pull livestock trailer with 5 cows onboard. I traded him labor to R&R the motor for the old shortblock so I have a spare non 53 block around. The job pleased us both and he borrowed my truck for a few days while I swapped motors and now hes gonna buy some toys for more get up and go.