Engine/Transmission (1998.5 - 2002) Problems!!! (long post)

[SWC]

I have around 130,000 miles on my 01. 5 and no longer under warranty. About 3 months ago I could smell antifreeze the odd time but hardly any coolant loss. I could not find where the leak was until 1 month ago when I changed oil and saw some staining on the block in the area of the oil filter. The stain started at the front of the motor at the top of the block and along the right side past the #1 and 2 cylinder exhaust manifold. I have sampled the oil at every change and no coolant has ever showed up in the oil and of the things they check the indicators are better then average. I checked with the local Cummins shop what the problem would be and they said head gasket as I suspected. I haul campers and asked if I should park the rig till I took care of this and they said if no coolant has shown up in the oil, it was not urgent. I made 2 more runs about 8000 miles.

The truck went into a local shop (I trust their work) 1 week ago. The head came off on Thursday and I took it into a shop in Saskatoon to be checked over. #1 and #6 piston indicated that the injectors should be checked so time for RV 275s (thanks Rod Wildcat Diesel). Now the shop in Saskatoon that is checking the head says the exhaust valve guides need to be replaced. The valves are okay.

My shop manual gives the specs on the valves but not the clearance.

I am not a mechanic but want to learn more about my truck and boy am I learning on this one.

Is my experience unusual or is this common. I have tried to take good care of this rig but where have I failed?

Any questions or comments would be appreciated.

Stan

 

[Motorhead]

If it is the valve clearances you are after they are. Intake is . 010 inches. The exaust is . 020inches The valve stem diameters are 6. 96mm or 0. 2740 inches minimum and 7. 010 mm or 0. 2760 inches maximum. The shop manual says to measure the valve stem at three points... Top, Middle and bottom of the travel area.

My manual didn't tell the valve guide to valve stem clearance.

I find it hard to believe that the valve guides are worn at 130,000 mi. Good luck.

 

[LSMITH]

Do a search on valve guides, what you have been told has been discussed before. You are not the first one, others have found the guides to be sloppy at 100K miles.

 

[SWC]

LSMITH Thanks for the clue to do a search. Shoulda done that first. The other thing suggested is the extensive idling I have done overnight when on the road. I watched the coolant temp in winter.

Thanks for the responses.

Stan

 

[BatMan01]

SWC

I just had my head ported and 0-ringed at PDR and the valve guides were out of tolerance and I only have 60k on mine. I am sure that these engines will go the 3, 4, and even 500k miles in this condition but if you pull the head for service then you need to add the cost of valve guides to your list.