Engine/Transmission (1998.5 - 2002) Cackes in 3 Pistons

[KDoerr]

Well I finally did the head gasket and it is holding and I had found 3 crack in the piston on cylinders 1,3,5 what would you guys do? The truck has 687,000km on it and it is a 2002 6 speed. Here are some pics of the cracks



Keith

 

[wcaldwell]

My apologies - I was wondering 'What in the world are 'cackes??" I almost passed by this thread, but "cackes in the pistons" aroused my curiosity.



Wayne

 

[KDoerr]

opps Still lerning to spell

 

[DWeiler]

Can't complain IMHO----430,000miles out of it,pretty good in my book-----heck i maybe pushing up daisys before i ever reach that with my ride---only 40,000 on her now. HAS the truck been stock all its life or turned up a bit???. DW

 

[AKAMAC]

The cracks are due to expansion from heat. The center of the piston is hotter than the skirts. You will probably notice that the cracks occur at a 90° position to the wrist-pins.

I'm confused by the piston enumeration, it is usually #6 & #5 that bake.

Replace them and the other piston rings and you should be good to go.



Just out of curiosity; Does the truck warm up before a hard run?

 

[KDoerr]

The cracks are due to expansion from heat. The center of the piston is hotter than the skirts. You will probably notice that the cracks occur at a 90° position to the wrist-pins.

I'm confused by the piston enumeration, it is usually #6 & #5 that bake.

Replace them and the other piston rings and you should be good to go.



Just out of curiosity; Does the truck warm up before a hard run?

Well The cracks are on the manifold side and ya it is in cyl #1,3,5. I would always worm the before a hard pull or run. After the retirement of the truck I had planed to make it in to a play truck but after seeing that I'm having second thoughts about it. it has been turn up all its life

 

[6naline01]

That is really decent milage I would rebuild it. I sure as heck would not buy a new one. I really like my 01. 5

 

[Wyomingcowboy]

6naline01 - I was musing at your profile statement (comifornia) Is that in refernece to the government of your state???

 

[obert]

6naline01 - I was musing at your profile statement (comifornia) Is that in refernece to the government of your state???

You bet!! I dont even live there.

Well The cracks are on the manifold side and ya it is in cyl #1,3,5. I would always worm the before a hard pull or run. After the retirement of the truck I had planed to make it in to a play truck but after seeing that I'm having second thoughts about it. it has been turn up all its life

I'm not swift with the metric coversion, but I think you had a good run. This engine is touted to go 300k miles before a rebuild. Youre past that right?

Clean up the block, put in all new pistons, re-ring, and go like hell for another quarter million miles!! Oo.

 

[KDoerr]

Well that’s what I'm thinking of doing. I was surprised to see that the cylinders are still nicely honed and they have no marks. What is the price of pistons and ring anyway?

Keith

 

[jhoughton]

It cost me right at a $1000 for all new bearings, rings and all gaskets (no pistons)to swap blocks when my 53 block cracked. Plus block of course. Also I found that there is not alot of 24 valve aftermarket engine parts out there yet. These were all from the local cummins dealer.

 

[jhoughton]

Also just checked e bay and there is a set of new pistons with rings for a buy it now price of $488 item number 320161225116. I do know if this is a good price or not but will at least give you an idea.

 

[KDoerr]

well I think I'm going to put new pistons in. What would you all do as you are doing the piston?



Keith

 

[Fordiesel69]

What would happen if you left it be? How do you oil samples come out? These cracks look to have been there, or did they split from hydrolocking?

 

[KDoerr]

What would happen if you left it be? How do you oil samples come out? These cracks look to have been there, or did they split from hydrolocking?

I don't know how long they have been cracked for but I’m most likely am going to drive it like that for a while. My bank account has disappeared. I will most likely do the work in the summer and then I can do it all at once.

Keith

 

[Fordiesel69]

I don't know how long they have been cracked for but I’m most likely am going to drive it like that for a while. My bank account has disappeared. I will most likely do the work in the summer and then I can do it all at once.

Keith

If it was my truck and I was sure those cracks were not from hydrolocking when the gasket blew, I would run it for a bit and see what happens. Did the engine have alot of blowby? It could be that they are not cracked all the way thru.

 

[ctd8999]

If your head gasket didn't blow, you would have never known they were cracked. Run it. Thanks Steve B.

 

[jhoughton]

The second photo looks to be a significant crack. Without being able to see if it goes all the way through or not I would say that it's a gamble to use. Maybe someone else has had this or an experianced mechanic has seen it and give a bit more insight. It's easy to say if it were mine I would use it. But it's not so considering the extent of damage that may be caused it it were to let go(block, rod and or crank). I would ge inclined to stop using it until I could get it fixed. The block from Cummins is about $1800. I don't have any idea what a crank and rods might be in addition. I would say it could be fixed now for $1600-1800 doing it yourself or thousands more if it were to let go. Just my. 02.

 

[KDoerr]

Well when the head gasket the last timed the pistons where ok. But this time they had the cracks. If the head gasket would of been good I wouldn’t of know that the pistons where cracked. I'm going to wait for the summer to rebuild the motor and hope for the best. Has anyone had this problem yet?



Keith