Cost/work in replacing one piston?

[ZEEEW]

Hello all



Sounds like the auto truck, 98 12v, has a bad piston/cylinder. Question is, how much should it cost and where to take it, in Utah?

Had quotes starting at 1500 if it is only one piston, up to 8000 for new motor. Cummins rebuild is around 4000 with warranty?

How much can we do ourself? Taking the engine out at least to save some dough is within our range, but 1500 for one piston seems quite high? Suggestions, opinions please!

Eric

 

[HoleshotHolset]

I'm thinking that the $1. 5k quote includes R&R of the engine/parts/labor... . and sounds a tad high... but what do I know?



If it were me... I might bite the bullet and do a rebuild. The new piston/rod/etc. won't be balanced like the one that was originally in there to the rest of the reciprocating assembly. The rebuild *should* be all properly balanced/cleaned/torqued/pre-lubed/etc. and ready to run.....

Some folks can't justify the cost of a potentially 'downed truck' for any reason... . and a slightly out of balance engine *could* cause problems down the road..... but folks get away with just R&Ring one piston at a time and have no ill effects... .



Bear in mind, I'm picky when it comes to stuff like this... .



Matt

 

[Gary - K7GLD]

I have what appears to be a leaking headgasket from an overheating session a year ago - engine runs fine, no coolent/oil contamination, just oil seepage at front of engine. To get the head pulled and gasket replaced, seemed foolish to not do a valve job as well - will cost $1500 or better according to shop estimate - and if OTHER serious damage is uncovered, could be more... I'm sure your quoted $4000 is only the cost of the rebuilt engine - and remove/replace would run that total at least $1000 higher?



Still might be the smartest in the long run...

 

[Extreme1]

If you aren't boring the block, you don't need to replace all of them as they are as close to being the same mass as a set of 6 new ones would be. A new set of rings and bearings would definetly be on my to do list if I were going to shake hands with the crankshaft.



While in there, head porting and a different cam might be in the cards too. You can see where this is going...

 

[Gary - K7GLD]

"While in there, head porting and a different cam might be in the cards too. You can see where this is going... "





YUP... $$$$$$$!

 

[SOOT]

About 2 months ago one of our shop trucks blew an engine its a powerjoke but still a diesel. the price of a new engine and labor was 10,000 dollars:--)

 

[Todd G]

I don't know if this applies but--



When I used to take our Izusu FSR's in for a burnt piston, it used to cost $800. 00 per hole plus anything else that got abused when the piston melted.

 

[HoleshotHolset]

Extreme1:

My understanding of pistons (and pretty much every part for that matter... . ) is that no two parts are ever the same mass... . kinda like snowflakes.



When balancing... the whole reciprocating assy. is balanced out and the pistons hardly ever end up weighing the same..... shave a little here... a little there... all in an effort to have it equal out in the long run.



Matt - that's my $. 05 worth