Crankshaft bearing failure

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hallmarc47

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Ram Year
2015 1500 Laramie Longhorn
Engine
Hemi 5.7
Hello...this is my first posting on the Forum even though I've looked at many interesting posts. I have a 2015 Ram 1500 Laramie Longhorn Crew Cab with Hemi 5.7. (107,000 miles). I bought it used from CarMax in early 2016 with about 10,000 miles on it. Recently the check engine light came on with an error about camshaft/crankshaft imbalance. Someone suggested replacing the sensors (top and bottom), so I bought them and had a local shop install. The only symptom I noted was a slightly rough idle and the idle went down to 500. Cleared the code but it returned. So, I took it to dealership shop for diagnostic. They told me it required pulling the front of engine to check several things (I'm not a mechanic as you may tell). Once that was done, I'm told that the crankshaft bearings are torn up and there are copper and metal filings in the engine. Conclusion....need new engine at cost of $8500+ for a Mopar remanufactured. Gosh, I wasn't expecting that kind of fix. I had read on the forum about the idler/cam issue and people have replaced engine.
Can you give me any insight on this and does the repair seem logical?
 

Dirty D

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Can get a long block from mmx for less than that if I’m not mistaken, might as well get the 392 stroker while your at it .

Where are the fillings? Like filling in cracks in the block? Or ?
 
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hallmarc47

hallmarc47

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Well, I'm not doing the work myself nor do I know anyone else to trust, of course. Letting dealer get OEM replacement. I didn't ask for a lot of detail, but they mentioned filings in the block and something about some oil fixtures or something like that. I asked about other options and they didn't have any other repair option.
 

bigdodge

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That sounds bad. If there is metal in the pan then it means the crank probably are through the bearings and started tearing into the steel. It also sent metal all through your engine and would definitely harm any other metal on metal surface. Another cheaper option would be a junk yard engine but you really don't know what your getting.
 

jws123

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First off Stay away from the dealership have a local reputable shop look at it. I am suprised your having issues with such low miles It would not be hard nor cost a lot to rebuild the engine I am doing one in a 2010 parts where about $1600 crank kit, cam/lifter kit, gasket kit ect or just find a low mileage used engine.
 
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hallmarc47

hallmarc47

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Yeah, I'm sure not interested in an unknown quality of engine. I went to this dealer because of previous good experience with them during some warranty work on this truck. Drove by a closer dealership who I didn't like experience with. I've never really wanted to use dealership shops and took my trucks to local shops for lesser problems. The problem is the one local reputable shop I took it to put the two sensors in and they said if that didn't work recommended to go to dealer since they didn't have the diagnostic ability to take it further. Finding reputable shops in this rural area has been difficult. So, I've told them to order the engine. I've talked with the service manager about the pricing and possible discount. He promised that he would review the completed bill and trim it down for a discount. I asked him for him for an "old gray-haired Veteran" discount. Guess I'm at the point of trusting these good old country boys to do right. I'll post the outcome.
 
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hallmarc47

hallmarc47

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Update and resolution:
The dealer did a diagnostic and it required they take off the front of the engine to determine what the problem was. Short answer--the crankshaft bearings failed, and metal was found in the engine. The recommendation and estimate was to replace the engine with a Mopar Remanufactured engine at est. cost of $8500+. With the high price of newer trucks and all of the accessories I had out on this truck, I decided the replacement engine was best. So two weeks later I have it back and they met the completion time line. I had talked to the service manager about an "old gray haired Veteran discount" and he said he would get the work order and work out a discount. So his discount was all of $300. The final bill including sales tax $9095. It has a 3 yr. and unlimited mileage warranty.
The biggest problem I had was the lack of communication from the service advisor. I called many times leaving a voicemail and he never once returned my calls. He called when he had the Est, and when it was finished. Very frustrating.

I've seen several posts about engine rebuilds due to camshaft and crankshaft failures. Has anyone ever seen Mopar taken responsibility for these failures. I think a failure of the engine with only 111,000 miles is definitely unusual.
 

caulk04

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Blown crank or rod bearings should be accompanied by serious noises and low oil pressure, particularly at idle.

There absolutely are just plain bad luck cases and there absolutely are just bad service people (advisors, managers, techs). Can't say for sure, but damn I think you fall toward the 'hosed' end of the spectrum.
 

Burn2k12Ram

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What mopar reman engine was installed? And did it address the poorly designed crankshaft that caused the issue in the first place? I would of suggested going with a Jasper reman which addressed the crankshaft issue.
 
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hallmarc47

hallmarc47

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They replaced it with the Hemi 5.7, original equipment. The dealer didn't give me any engine options other than OEM. And I certainly didn't know about any other. Hope this information helps someone else in the same situation.
 
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