Engine/Transmission (1994 - 1998) how much for ring job?

[jeff95]

I am trying to track down the cause of recurring oil leaks. I have had 5-6 different leaks fixed over the past year or two. I'd like to get to the source of the problem. I'm anticipating a ring job. I called the only place within 150 miles that works on diesel engines and they said it generally runs $6,000 - $7,000. Is that normal? Why not get a reman engine for that cost?

Thanks for your help.

Jeff

 

[RJPotts]

That does sound ridiculous. I'd get a quote from a few different shops. Or, do it yourself, it'd be a good bonding experience for you and your truck :-laf



If neither of those sound plausible, I'd say buy a reman engine and take the few extra thousand you saved and do some more bombs before the engine goes in.

-R. J.

 

[Vaughn MacKenzie]

I was talking to Piers about freshening up my engine and doing more than a ring job and including a new head it would be a little less than what you've been quoted.



Vaughn

 

[Joe G.]

I'm wondering why you think you need a ring job.

 

[jeff95]

Thanks for the initial responses. Like I said, I have had several oil leaks. I use/loose alot of oil. Every time I have one leak fixed, another one pops up within a few weeks to a month. I have had three different turbos in, so I would expect a turbo leak. I hope to have a manometer test done soon.

Do you have any other thoughts?

Thanks,

Jeff

 

[Joe G.]

I would think you would want a compression test to see if you have the proper compression and no low cylinders before deciding on a ring job.

 

[RJPotts]

Absolutely, make sure you're fixing the right problem. Rings don't necessarily mean oil leaks.

How much particulate is floating around in your oil when you change it? That would be a fair guess at if that's the problem or not.

I'm just not understanding how rings could cause oil leaks. Where are these leaks at?

-R. J.

 

[jray]

Sounds more like a head gasket replacement than a piston ring replacement.

 

[PSchwering]

Absolutely, make sure you're fixing the right problem. Rings don't necessarily mean oil leaks.

How much particulate is floating around in your oil when you change it? That would be a fair guess at if that's the problem or not.

I'm just not understanding how rings could cause oil leaks. Where are these leaks at?

-R. J.

R. J. ,

If the rings get bad enough, it start's to pressurize the crankcase, then you can't stop the oil from blowing out of every seal & gasket on the engine.



This generally not a problem, until you get to Very high Mileage, oh say 6 or 8 hundred thousand miles.

 

[RJPotts]

That's a lot of miles, and I understand about the crankcase getting pressurized. I've seen it happen quite a bit on 3406's. Its been my experience that on 12 valves that it usually blows out of the dipstick tube or, if its not plugged (and they usually are) the crankcase vent.

If a 12 or 24 valve has 600,000 miles on it then it's on borrowed time as far as specs go for mileage/hours before an overhaul.

-R. J.

 

[PSchwering]

Jeff95,

Have you checked your Vacuum system for leaks? I was reading a similar thread, when it occured to me. The Vacuum Pump pumps air into the crankcase. It can be difficult to distinguish a Bad Vacuum Leak from a Blowby problem. None of us want to see you shell out the bones for a new engine if you don't need it. P.



RJ,

I Agree.