Archived help!!! need new rings

[jeff95]

Well, after having several oil leaks repaired, I finally got my dodge dealer to do some tests on my 95 Ram. They determined the rings are bad. I haven't picked up the truck yet so I don't know how many or which cylinders are bad.

What should I do now. It is a beat up 95 as described in my signature. I've got a fair amount of money in it so I don't want to just toss it.

I could just drive it as it is and keep adding oil. What about a used or rebuilt engine?

Let me know what you think. Where to go.

TIA

Jeff

 

[MCummings]

Just pop some new rings in it.



I have done that too mine before... .



Rings are about $80/piston for 24V's, and alot cheaper for 12v's.



Re-use everything but the front and rear seal, oil pan gasket, and headgasket.



Merrick

 

[tp0d]

Well, I wouldnt take the dealers opinion on that at all. Definetly goto Cummins and have an actual diesel tech do a compression test on all 6. nothin against the dealer, but i`ve seen too many strange diagnosis' come from there. .



what's the history on the truck? Did you buy it new or what was the condition you got it in. . how was it taken care of... mileage?



good luck



-j

 

[tp0d]

Well? whats goin on with this situation... . you didnt just take dodge's opinion on it did you? these engines can go for upwards of 400+K without a major rebuild (read: rings)



hope things are workin out for ya



-j

 

[jeff95]

Sorry it has taken so long to respond.





The truck was originally used in texas to do who knows what. I suspect it was abused. It has a Ranch Hand type bumper on the front with a few big dents like they were pushing over trees or something.



I have had several oil leaks fixed over the past year or so. Each time one leak is fixed, another one pops up.



Unfortunately there are no diesel shops or mechanics near me. The nearest cummins dealer is about 150 miles from me.



I took it to the Dodge dealer and they say the rings are bad. They know I'm not going to put alot of money into it.



My question now is do I just keep adding oil or do I fix it.



Does it make more sense to rebuild this one or buy one from a salvage yard?

Give me some options.

Thanks,

Jeff

 

[Joe G.]

Drive the 150 miles and let Cummins look at it.

 

[tp0d]

Well, if its a question of rebuilding ($$), or buying new ($$), or driving to Cummins ($), I would take the one with less $ signs...



just my opinion tho. .



If your mileage is less than 200k, or even 300k, your rings are fine.



-j

 

[MCummings]

I've seen many Dead Cummins motors at 75K to 125K.



If you use "performance" air filters offraod alot, overheat, don't change oil, or don't do PM's, and run it hard. They will die easily. I've rebuilt two that had so much blowby it would leave a shadow of the frame on the ground after being parked from so much blowby, and the resulting mist ending up on the frame, and dripping off when parked.





It could very easily have bad rings. Usually when oil leaks start popping up consistently,there is too much blowby.



Also it could just have bad valve seals.





Get a professional (Cummins) to look at it. At the end of the year, it isn't REALLY going to matter if they rebuild your motor or not, however, Dodge dealer may want to push you into a rebuild to bring profit margins up.





If it is the rings, you may experiance easy overheating, oil consumption (of course), oil leaks, low MPG, Lack of power, rough running, and all sorts of little nuances.



BUT, If you can't afford to rebuild it, or need 6-12 months to save up some money to rebuild it, you can just run the blow-by tube into the downpipe and it will put all the blow-by out the exhaust, and keep your crankcase near zero, or negative pressure (very good for all seals/gaskets) It may even decrease your blow-by. I think Mr. Gasket sells a crankcase evacuation kit. Search for it on www.summitracing.com I've seen it used many times,, don't be afraid,, it's a low budget trick that works!



Merrick

 

[tp0d]

Excessive blowby couldnt be caused by a vacuum leak overpressurizing the crankcase?



dunno just an idea. .



-j

 

[jeff95]

Okay,

Let's assume that the rings are bad. Then does it make more sense to put in a used engine or rebuild mine?

Jeff

 

[moparguy]

Merrick, you've may have seen my post on the 98 I bought (it's in the 12v forum). I had considered a crankcase evacuation system on it. But I also remember someone else did this (can't remember who) and they had some issues with it. May have been Forrest or Cooker.



My concern is that due to the turbo and high pressure that I assume would be in the downpipe you could overpressure the engine seals. But I don't know, the venturi effect of flowing exhaust may only scanvage the blowby .



Thanks RR

 

[MCummings]

Okay,

Let's assume that the rings are bad. Then does it make more sense to put in a used engine or rebuild mine?

Jeff

I would say rebuild.



Cost me less than $300. I re-used everything, except front and rear seal, oil pan gasket and headgasket.



Re-Used, Mains, and Rod Bearings, Pistons, Valve Cover Gasket, all bolts (Had head studs).



I shaved my pistons down . 020 and went with a . 020 headgasket at the same time. It's a little smokey and lazy off the bottom end, but it pulls with cool EGT's at 2,600rpm with any weight, at any speed that puts it at 2,500RPM or higher. (I have a few mods that help it, but atleast with how much fuel I have, the EGT's stay within reason. )





RR,



I would think on a straight piped truck, with the evacuation nipple at the low-end of the downpipe you should have no problem,, should have a strong venturri effect. However, if you have the OEM muffler, the venturri effect may not overcome the tremendous backpressure provided by the OEM muffler.



Merrick