Temporary betrayal

[Tippin Spotted Cow]

Alright, due to some very misfortunate series of events, I am being forced to park the diesel at a buddies for a while and get something that's a little newer, less rusty, and not beat up. I can't afford a newer (98 or up) Cummins right now, considering any Cummins under 100k is probably $15,000 at least, and the bank won't do loans on anything over 100k. I have some very specific qualifications to the truck that will become my daily driver, and that has led me to a 99 Ram 2500 xcab long bed 5 speed. Here's the kicker... it's a V10. I can pick up the thing for a really good deal, but the guy tells me the engine is making a "knocking" noise that he thinks he's narrowed down to one cylinder. I'm probably taking a drive out there this weekend sometime, but I haven't heard it run yet. He said the noise gets loud when you put your foot in it, but pretty much goes away at idle. Is the motor junk? Honestly, with what I'm looking for in a truck right now, this is the best one within my price range, and if the motor issue ends up being something simple that would make my life a whole lot easier. Otherwise, the search continues.....

 

[tolmsted]

I feel your pain. Wish I could help you with this one. Maybe others here will be able to help.

Good luck.

Tom

 

[fox]

That sounds like a main bearing knock. Check oil pressure.

 

[JLEONARD]

I would keep looking. When I betrayed, I found a mint 05 with low miles (40K) auto, for $5900. Granted it is a 2wd, but that's what I wanted.



The way you are describing the engine problem it could be as simple as an exhaust manifold leak. Wouldn't that be nice.

 

[Tippin Spotted Cow]

This is a '99 2500, xcab, long bed, 4x4, beautiful blue with silver along the bottom that all looks flawless from the pictures, with the 5 speed (I refuse to buy another automatic), with 87k on the clock, he's asking $4300, I'm hoping to get it for under $4K. I also have a line on a V10 out of a fire damaged truck for $100, so if something major is wrong with this one internally, the fire motor should still have decent internals.

 

[KOG]

Knock on a gas engine? Run, do not walk, away. An exhaust leak makes a ticking noise like a bad lifter, not a knock.

 

[JLEONARD]

An exhaust leak makes a ticking noise like a bad lifter, not a knock

All I was saying is that you cannot diagnose by someone else's description of an engine noise. One man's knock is another man's tick.

I have been thru this more than once believe me.



He needs to go hear for himself

 

[GHarman]

Sounds like a NEW HOME for an old 12 Valve CumminsOo. . GregH

 

[tolmsted]

Sounds like a NEW HOME for an old 12 Valve CumminsOo. . GregH

How sweet it would be.....

 

[MMeier]

Sounds like a NEW HOME for an old 12 Valve CumminsOo. . GregH

Yeah, what he said !!!

 

[JGrefenstette]

I agree totally with JLeonard totally. when at all possible i try to avoid having to diagnos sound related engine issues, with out being able to put my own 2 ears on it. how did he narrow it to a specific cylinder? if its a true knock, id suspect a rod bearing. but like said before, without hearing it, id hate to condem anything right off like that.

 

[RHestand]

The bad thing about even a good running Dodge V/10 is, they are very thirsty.

Also I think they an odd/fire engine. (no offset ground crankshaft=harmonic vibrations)

Ray

 

[Greenleaf]

You'd have to pull the plugs one at a time and accelerate the engine to determine if it is a rod.



I don't know about about thisuy but most don't like you even kicking the tires, let alone working on the engine. Your just looking it over. Not putting a wrench to it.

 

[Tippin Spotted Cow]

So when I pull the plug and accelerate, if I found the right cylinder and it is a rod, what should happen?

 

[cerberusiam]

The bad thing about even a good running Dodge V/10 is, they are very thirsty.

Also I think they an odd/fire engine. (no offset ground crankshaft=harmonic vibrations)

Ray

Yeah, they are a thirsty critter for sure.



From the description I would say there is a bad rod and the motor is junk. Unless you have one on tap and ready to go in there, keep looking.



Its very easy to end with two trucks that don't work for your needs.

 

[JLEONARD]

and it is a rod, what should happen?

New motor. Negotiate.

The very cheap V-10, or something else.

Will a standard V-8 fit without too many mods?

I know a Cummins will, but will require some time.

You gottem decisions to make.

Buy or not buy? What engine?

 

[Tippin Spotted Cow]

Well, the guy decided to take the truck to a repair shop to get an estimate on fixing it. One of two things will come of this:



A) the motor will be junk, and they'll tell him the motor is junk, and I might be able to pick it up for cheap, and put that motor in from the fire damaged truck and with some hard work (which I have more readily availible than money right now) I can get a decent truck for cheap



B) there's something simple, ie exhaust manifold crack, stuck lifter, etc, they'll fix it for him and either he'll keep it, or want $8,000 for it, which I'm not really ready to pay for a V10 truck, and the search will continue





Man, who knew finding a stick shift in a gasser would be such an issue? I'm getting ready to just break down and buy a newer Cummins with the help of the bank. Only issue is, like I mentioned, most banks won't give you a loan on a vehicle over 100k, and most Cummins trucks under 100k are $15,000 or more, unless the thing has been pretty badly abused, which would ruin the whole point of this search anyway..... I feel I'm going in circles here... .

 

[JLEONARD]

Tippin... that is what led me to my decision.

 

[Dieselman359]

I guess that it could be worse, you could of bought a '03 that needed a headgasket, but turned out that it had a cracked cylinder. :{#@$%! Guess where all my $$$ is going.

 

[PToombs]

An 03? It's not the trucks head that's cracked!