Broken down at SEMA

[jetenginedoctor]

I guess I'll know in a week or so what's wrong with the engine. I was hoping it was just injectors (good excuse for an upgrade, right?) but I guess that's not the case. It was smoking like hell, blowing oil, etc at SEMA, and several guys were good enough to come by and have a look at things for me (thanks again, fellas) and there were a lot of very good theories offered, all of which we spent the better part of the day proving/disproving. We'll dive in next week, and I'll post up what we find (pictures too, perhaps. )



BK

 

[DRAG DIESEL]

Brian, hope the tear down, and the rebuild is painless for you. You'll do good. Rebuild her, put gauges in, and drive by pryo.



Have a great Christmas!

 

[jetenginedoctor]

Small update on this:



The engine is out, #5 piston is fried, scuffed the **** out of the cylinder, looks like an overbore and a set of slugs and rings is a part of my future. It appears that the piston cooling jet had clogged. I'll take some pictures tomorrow if I get some time.



BK

 

[jetenginedoctor]

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There's my noise. Hamilton Diesel is taking it 0. 040" over on all the holes, and going back together. We'll see what happens. . . . . sucky way to start the year.



BK

 

[Matt S]

Any word on what caused this?



Look at the bright side, you can do a performance rebuild!

 

[24VChev]

Brain, that really sux, hope you are going to install a pyro. . What oil filter were you using?

Malcolm

 

[jetenginedoctor]

If you look at the other pictures on that same directory on my website, you'll notice that there are many small pits on the bearings that appear to be acid damage (per Zach at Hamilton Diesel. ) The guys remarked that the inside of the engine didn't look very clean, and they asked me what oil I was using and what oil change intervals. I haven't had the truck all that long, but I always change the oil every 7k using Rotella-T and Fleetgard filters (this time it was a Purolator, but only because I was in a hurry and was out of the other filters. ) The previous owner gave me a huge stack of reciepts for dealership oil changes fwiw. The truck was in immaculate shape when I bought it, and seemed to be mechanically sound. Not sure how I might have avoided this, perhaps I'll just have to buy a brand-new truck next time so I know what I've really got. . .



Anyway, the knock started out as a ticking sound around the same time I had my transmission done. It's likely that the little extra power I have now after the GSK and plate mod was what pushed it over the edge, but it really does appear to be a lubrication related bearing failure. There was a huge sliver of bearing material plugging the #5 piston oil cooling jet, which is probably what killed that for me. It all looks like a "chicken & egg" issue until you consider the somewhat gunky appearance of the inside of the engine and the acid damage. My guess is that the truck probably sat undriven for an extended period of time, allowing acids in the oil to do their thing on the bearings. It's an expensive lesson to learn about buying used vehicles. I'm glad I didn't pay book value on the truck, or I'd be really bent out of shape.



BK

 

[jetenginedoctor]

It's back... .

. . . . the truck that is, not the noise. Big thanks go to Zach Hamilton and Clay Dingler at Hamilton Diesel Service in Liberty Hills, TX.



Had them do the HD springs so I can let the engine spin a little, but otherwise the top end is untouched. I'll dyno it and report back how it runs. Before any mods, trans work, and engine problems, it made about 179 HP at the wheels over and over and over without fail. We'll see what it does now. I'm guessing close to 300 HP (oh, that'd be about 350 HP for you DynoJet fans )



BK

 

[jetenginedoctor]

Dragging this one back up since it's the last thing I remember posting here.



The truck is running better than it ever did before. . . when I actually drive it, that is. I've gone back to college again full time, and the parking situation means the rattling Ram is a non-ideal daily driver. My wife and the HOA are both on my case about the truck sitting out front undriven, and it's time to find it a new home. I'm wondering if there are any folks around Austin who might be interested in this truck, or at least come have a look at it and give me an idea how much I might try to get for it. If anyone's interested, let me know via PM or e'mail. I'll try to come back and look here, but it's possible I'll forget.



Thanks,

BK

 

[LBARTLETT]

I'll be in Austin the 9th & 10th of September, PM me if you want me to look at the truck & still have it, if so PM me more info. about the truck