A 3rd engine?!?! WTF

[FullForceRam]

I can't believe I'm having to get a 3rd engine in my truck....

June 2023, truck was running rough down the freeway especially under load, after spending a day in a local shop where it was towed to, it was determined that the lifter was hardly moving on cylinder #3, the cam had flattened out so I made the decision to install a reman LKQ engine because it had the best warranty. (4 years / unlimited mileage)

During the past year and half, the engine had multiple leaks that needed attention and repairs, all under warranty. Oil pan gasket was leaking, then 4 months later the timing cover had a leak, another 2 months and exhaust manifold bolts needed to be replaced and driver side exhaust manifold needed to be replaced, then most recently a oil pressure sending unit threw a code and had it replaced. Again, all under warranty..

Fast forward to 1 week ago (June 2025) and the replacement LKQ engine has only 70K miles on it. Climbing a small hill (with no trailer in tow) and check engine light starts blinking (typically means an misfire) and the engine is running rough like a misfire. Drive it over the summit and another 5 miles to an exit where I can park the truck and call AAA to have it towed to the same shop the LKQ engine was installed about an hour and 30 mins away. They have now had my truck since Tuesday and just today said that it looks like the intake valve seat and possible lifter/cam is having an issue on cylinder 3. It's a like a bad dream that never ends.
Should now by tomorrow what the decision will be to either replace the engine AGAIN, or replace the valve train components, however if there is metal in the oil and on the cylinder heads, they need to replace it with another engine.

I'm extremely **** about oil changes and really taking care of my truck, never race it around, always on top of maintenance items, stored inside the garage, I tow a 7x14 enclosed trailer for business but never more than 3500-4000 lbs about 4-6 times a month. 95% all local driving, 85% highway driving, never sitting in idle for very long at all.

Needless to say, once this is repaired I'm selling my truck and buying a diesel truck. There are so many people dealing with this same issue, it's truly mind boggling.

 

[hemihustlin]

just for fun what do you run for oil and you change every how many miles?

 

[FullForceRam]

I use Mobil 1 synthetic 5W20, changed every 5000 miles with a Mopar oil filter MO-339

 

[hemihustlin]

thats interesting. if you end up putting another motor in there you should definitely run 5w30
not saying you didn't have defective parts in the last motors but at this point i would be stacking all the chances on my side. lady luck is a cold cold bitxh.

 

[Ken226]

I've heard this store several times on this forum, and others, with reman engines from the likes of ATK, Powertrain Products, Jasper and now, LKQ.

I know this isn't what you want to hear, but it seems to be true as often as not:




Perhaps it's time to consider a Mopar engine. The non-MDS Mopar hemi new engine isn't much more expensive than a reman.

You have to buy a tuner to delete the MDS, but your probability of needing a 4th enigine is alot lower.

5.7L HEMI NON-MDS Truck Engine Long Block

5.7L HEMI NON-MDS Truck Engine Long Block

www.modernmusclextreme.com

 

[Burla]

I can't believe I'm having to get a 3rd engine in my truck....

June 2023, truck was running rough down the freeway especially under load, after spending a day in a local shop where it was towed to, it was determined that the lifter was hardly moving on cylinder #3, the cam had flattened out so I made the decision to install a reman LKQ engine because it had the best warranty. (4 years / unlimited mileage)

During the past year and half, the engine had multiple leaks that needed attention and repairs, all under warranty. Oil pan gasket was leaking, then 4 months later the timing cover had a leak, another 2 months and exhaust manifold bolts needed to be replaced and driver side exhaust manifold needed to be replaced, then most recently a oil pressure sending unit threw a code and had it replaced. Again, all under warranty..

Fast forward to 1 week ago (June 2025) and the replacement LKQ engine has only 70K miles on it. Climbing a small hill (with no trailer in tow) and check engine light starts blinking (typically means an misfire) and the engine is running rough like a misfire. Drive it over the summit and another 5 miles to an exit where I can park the truck and call AAA to have it towed to the same shop the LKQ engine was installed about an hour and 30 mins away. They have now had my truck since Tuesday and just today said that it looks like the intake valve seat and possible lifter/cam is having an issue on cylinder 3. It's a like a bad dream that never ends.
Should now by tomorrow what the decision will be to either replace the engine AGAIN, or replace the valve train components, however if there is metal in the oil and on the cylinder heads, they need to replace it with another engine.

I'm extremely **** about oil changes and really taking care of my truck, never race it around, always on top of maintenance items, stored inside the garage, I tow a 7x14 enclosed trailer for business but never more than 3500-4000 lbs about 4-6 times a month. 95% all local driving, 85% highway driving, never sitting in idle for very long at all.

Needless to say, once this is repaired I'm selling my truck and buying a diesel truck. There are so many people dealing with this same issue, it's truly mind boggling.

Research modern diesels before buying one in the name of longevity. It is the emissions stuff paired with turbo's that are tanking diesels in record numbers. EGR coolers are the main culprit, but turbo's need to breathe and DPF can tank them as well. Might wanna consider a used one, any 2002-2007 Cummins might last longer then anything they make today.

Those are used engine too? LKQ? What did it cost?

It's a bummer and I am not full of answers, they simply do not make engines like they did in the 90's. I wouldn't recommend anyone buying a diesel unless you need to. And make sure you don't get anything with a cp4 pump if you do anyhow.

.

 

[mtofell]

Perhaps it's time to consider a Mopar engine

OP's Mopar engine blew up.... mine blew up at 110K (and was replaced under extended warranty, thankfully). I generally get what you're saying but I don't really fault anyone for exploring options outside of factory engines. Mopar turns out plenty of crappy products.... oh yeah, my tranny blew twice before 100K too.

 

[QwikKota]

OP's Mopar engine blew up.... mine blew up at 110K (and was replaced under extended warranty, thankfully). I generally get what you're saying but I don't really fault anyone for exploring options outside of factory engines. Mopar turns out plenty of crappy products.... oh yeah, my tranny blew twice before 100K too.

6 speed or 8 speed?

 

[FullForceRam]

I HAD a Mopar engine, that one the cam went bad on cylinder 3 also which cause issues with the lifter, that’s when I went with the LKQ engine as it has the 4 yr/unlimited mileage warranty, and now this one has gone bad, ow they are installing another LKQ engine because that’s what they are going to warranty.

 

[mtofell]

6 speed or 8 speed?

6spd - 66RFE. The valve body seems to be the weak link and is what I suspect caused both failures. The first was at 38K under zero load - sitting on the freeway in traffic, pushed the gas and the tach revved and I didn't move. No prior indication of a problem. Second failure was at 90K and gave lots of warning signs leading up to the failure.

 

[Dodge 1500 4X4]

Maybe you got a defective engine, seeing its under warrantee (you're very fortunate) let them replace it, put a good synthetic oil in it, I use Redline 5w30w full synthetic W/ royal purple oil filter 20-820 W/ Lube Gard bio tech 15oz every other oil change.

 

[Ken226]

I HAD a Mopar engine, that one the cam went bad on cylinder 3 also which cause issues with the lifter, that’s when I went with the LKQ engine as it has the 4 yr/unlimited mileage warranty, and now this one has gone bad, ow they are installing another LKQ engine because that’s what they are going to warranty.

the LKQ is also a Mopar engine. It's just one that was re-assembled by someone else, with alot of used parts.

I called some of these rebuilders awhile back to ask about which brand lifters they use. Oddly, they wouldn't say, other than to repeat that the lifters were "tested", from one company and "proprietary, house brand" from another. Make what you will of that, but I took it to mean that "tested" means 'used', and "house brand" to mean 'not Mopar'.

But, I understand. Of course, since it's still under warranty, you should absolutely go with the free warranty engine. I would too. But, I would keep expectations low.



I'm just curious, but did you got more miles out of your LKQ than were on the original OEM engine? Because, if I only go by your first post, the OEM engine was 9 years old (2014 to 2023), and the LKQ lasted what? From June of 2023 to now. So 2 years?


That brand new Mopar long block is $5k with free shipping. How much was the rebuilt LKQ engine?

 

[EdGs]

I called some of these rebuilders awhile back to ask about which brand lifters they use. Oddly, they wouldn't say, other than to repeat that the lifters were "tested" and/or a "proprietary, house brand".

There, you have it.

 

[MrBonez]

I've heard this store several times on this forum, and others, with reman engines from the likes of ATK, Powertrain Products, Jasper and now, LKQ.

I know this isn't what you want to hear, but it seems to be true as often as not:

View attachment 568484


Perhaps it's time to consider a Mopar engine. The non-MDS Mopar hemi new engine isn't much more expensive than a reman.

You have to buy a tuner to delete the MDS, but your probability of needing a 4th enigine is alot lower.

5.7L HEMI NON-MDS Truck Engine Long Block

5.7L HEMI NON-MDS Truck Engine Long Block

www.modernmusclextreme.com

I've heard in the past guys would get a reman engine, check it out themselves and find things like headbolts not torqued to spec on a long block, undersized bearings for what it really needed.... A particular crank/rod journal needing a .010 over sized bearing with a standard bearing in place as an example and so on.

Used to be it was more like rumors instead of being fact but these days.....

I mean anyone can mess up and it happens but it's becoming more of the standard state of things instead of being rare or even uncommonly seen.

I even knew of one guy that after getting one and checking it over, they decided to completely disassemble and build it again themselves it was such a sloppy job done for building it in the first place.
Went through it and after correcting all the "Things" found they assembled it to specs, dropped it in and it ran fine.

Thing is assembling an engine is something that shoudn't be rushed for it to be right, takes time to make sure all of it is done right but as many engines as these builders have to do, I'm not suprised with the current demand for them.... And it ain't getting any better, anytime soon.

 

[EdGs]

I've heard in the past guys would get a reman engine, check it out themselves and find things like headbolts not torqued to spec on a long block, undersized bearings for what it really needed.... A particular crank/rod journal needing a .010 over sized bearing with a standard bearing in place as an example and so on.

Used to be it was more like rumors instead of being fact but these days.....

I mean anyone can mess up and it happens but it's becoming more of the standard state of things instead of being rare or even uncommonly seen.

I even knew of one guy that after getting one and checking it over, they decided to completely disassemble and build it again themselves it was such a sloppy job done for building it in the first place.
Went through it and after correcting all the "Things" found they assembled it to specs, dropped it in and it ran fine.

Thing is assembling an engine is something that shoudn't be rushed for it to be right, takes time to make sure all of it is done right but as many engines as these builders have to do, I'm not suprised with the current demand for them.... And it ain't getting any better, anytime soon.

Man, that's too bad. Scary, actually.

You would think that these rebuilders would take pride in their work, and do it right. But I guess they must not have to.

 

[Wild one]

I've heard in the past guys would get a reman engine, check it out themselves and find things like headbolts not torqued to spec on a long block, undersized bearings for what it really needed.... A particular crank/rod journal needing a .010 over sized bearing with a standard bearing in place as an example and so on.

Used to be it was more like rumors instead of being fact but these days.....

I mean anyone can mess up and it happens but it's becoming more of the standard state of things instead of being rare or even uncommonly seen.

I even knew of one guy that after getting one and checking it over, they decided to completely disassemble and build it again themselves it was such a sloppy job done for building it in the first place.
Went through it and after correcting all the "Things" found they assembled it to specs, dropped it in and it ran fine.

Thing is assembling an engine is something that shoudn't be rushed for it to be right, takes time to make sure all of it is done right but as many engines as these builders have to do, I'm not suprised with the current demand for them.... And it ain't getting any better, anytime soon.

These days its "quantity over quality" and when it blows up send another "quantity" engine out to replace the blown up "quantity" engine

 

[FullForceRam]

Maybe you got a defective engine, seeing its under warrantee (you're very fortunate) let them replace it, put a good synthetic oil in it, I use Redline 5w30w full synthetic W/ royal purple oil filter 20-820 W/ lubeGard bio tech 15oz every other oil change.

I understand, but what are the odds that it’s the same exact issue I had with my original moose engine? Cylinder 3 - cam lobe flattened out causing a lifter issue and misfire. They (LKQ) shipped out another engine yesterday to the repair shop who installed the second LKQ engine2 years ago so I’m hoping I’ll be up and running shortly after the 4th holiday, then I’ll be selling the truck and going with a diesel truck.

 

[Marshall]

I have never had one go, but #3 seems to be what I hear here quite often, so maybe that one is getting less oil up there then the others, I don't know.
i presume these rebuilders are buying good parts that cost the least amount of $.
They are in the business to make money. Now if they built one for their own truck, hot rod, It could be different.

 

[DILLIGAF]

I'd rather raw dog a 10$ ****** over buying a reman engine.

 

[FullForceRam]

thats interesting. if you end up putting another motor in there you should definitely run 5w30
not saying you didn't have defective parts in the last motors but at this point i would be stacking all the chances on my side. lady luck is a cold cold bitxh.

As soon as I get the truck back, I’m selling it.

thats interesting. if you end up putting another motor in there you should definitely run 5w30
not saying you didn't have defective parts in the last motors but at this point i would be stacking all the chances on my side. lady luck is a cold cold bitxh.

thanks for the input, but as soon as I get the truck back, I’m selling it. The new motor going in will have another 4 year unlimited mileage warranty which is transferable.