Engine/Transmission (1998.5 - 2002) Some pricy repairs

[VolsFan]

Hi, posted a while back about an oil leak that ended up being my tappet cover. I also have to get a new head gasket now. Leaking from front passenger side. I'm on the road in a work truck and left it at a local shop this week to adress AC issues. They don't feel condident in performing these extensive repairs. Called a newer diesel shop local to me I won't name that gave me a ballpark figure of $4500, I was blown away. Gonna call cv diesel at state line PA (great guys)tmrw to get their verdict. Any idea of what a tappet cover and new head gasket should run?

 

[Gary - K7GLD]

Won't be cheap, no matter what shop does it...

 

[VolsFan]

Gonna call my go to shop tmrw didn't have service today during their hours. Been wandering, is it nuts to consider a reman engine due to the cost of these repairs? I'm totally ignorant to what a reman 5.9 goes for, motor has 200 and some change on it, when I bought it was mildly concerned about the air filter on it, dusting issues etc

 

[JR]

If you have the time to do it neither job is difficult but is time consuming. The head requires a cherry picker to lift off of there. Most of that figure is in labor so you would save yourself a pile of cash.

 

[VolsFan]

Just got my truck, worthless place didn't fix a thing on it. And on top of that a mile from home lost boost and threw these codes, P0253, P0238 P1475.
CEL is on and lost power. What in the worlds going on with this thing?

 

[Gary - K7GLD]

P0238 Turbocharger Boost Sensor A Circuit High

P0253
Injection Pump Fuel Metering Control Low (Cam/
Rotor/Injector)

P1475 Fan Relay (Low) Circuit Malfunction

 

[AllianceDiesel]

A head gasket only pays 9 hours, somebody is trying to screw you. Plus its actually easy work

 

[HHhuntitall]

Yeah, think someone's not sure what they're doing, so they're pricing it high in anticipation of slow progress.... or just don't want to do it. A headgasket isn't a problem, it's the head that's the problem, IMO. IT needs to be checked to make sure it's flat, as well as the block. Why did it leak in the first place? And with the mileage, it probably needs valve stem guides while you're there, as well as a valve or two... Especially if dusting is a concern. My machine shop usually charges around $600 to RR the head, depending on what's all wrong. Add about $750 for labor here.

The tappet cover is a no brainer, just a PITA. The injection pump, fuel filter, and intake need to come off, after a good washing, then the cover can come off and get a new gasket and back it goes. I've been doing a lot of these this year.... seems the rubber gasket dries out and cracks, leaking out the splits. I don't know what Dodge charges, but I usually charge about $500 if it's really nasty. Takes me 5-6 hrs with a good wash and time to dry.

I've got a guy in Kaufman, TX, that sells reman'd engines for around $3800+core. Install is the mamajama. That's a full day and a half around here, which will come out to another $1500.

I do know I must be a lot cheaper then anywhere else, as I keep 'em lined up in my yard for some reason. And I'm slow, as my mechanic shop only opens when it rains in the summer, and is too cold to work outside in the winter. And still they come. I charge $100hr, and tell people I'm slow, get over it or don't bring it here.

 

[VolsFan]

Well I figured out the codes- took the MAP sensor out, cleaned it and unhooked Edge comp and cleared codes truck runs normal again.
Trucks going up to CV diesel in 3 week as they are about the only competent mechanics on Cummins in my area. Other "diesel" shops I called just to get more opinions specialized in duramaxes, giving me out of sight figures. Not sure what it's going to run but confident they"ll get it taken care of. I'd tackle the project but my work schedule anymore I'm on the road all week. Tearing that thing apart is out of the question for me.