New long block required or just another sticky lifter?

[JVTC]

Need some advice, we took our 2014 Ram 2500 heavy duty hemi 6.4 truck into the dealership mechanic for a sticky lifter issue (this has happened before 70k miles now at 112k miles) and after the mechanic has torn apart our truck to the cost of $2,100 he has diagnosed it as needing a new long block. When we took our truck in it had the ticking noise but never lost power or any other issue. This truck is an essential part of our business and need it back asap… and it is supposed to cost over $16k to fix!!! Anyone had to replace the long block on their truck? Was our truck misdiagnosed? What even causes so much damage to need a long block replaced?

 

[csuder99]

Ask them. I suspect they are going for the safe option with little chance for a comeback. If they replace all the lifters and the cam and you have another issue soon after you're not going to be happy.

Anything can be fixed but if the block and/or heads need machining most dealers just gonna replace everything because the labor is going to be killer.

 

[mtofell]

most dealers just gonna replace everything because the labor is going to be killer.

I'd love to see the diagnosis if it was a warranty fix

 

[GsRAM]

I'd love to see the diagnosis if it was a warranty fix

Yep, this. If it was on rams dime, it would be throw another cam and lifters in it, send it out the door and hope it makes it through the rest of the warranty period.

Sadly, with the engine in pieces at the shop, they may be stuck. Already incurred 2100 in teardown expense? Id love to see that bill. I don't see how you could have that much in it without pulling the engine out (unless that's been done)

16k to repair? No way. I'd pay the stealership their ransome to get it out of there and find a good independent shop who can likely do the work for thousands less. In this day and age, dealership techs are not the be all end all. Many lack basic diagnostic skills of years past. If a laptop can't tell them what's wrong, their lost. No thanks.

Very unfortunate situation for the OP. This is why now that my truck is out of warranty I'll be using a good, private shop for anything I can't handle myself and hopefully that's not much.

 

[JVTC]

Thank you all for the help! They engine is out and would cost another $2k just to put it back together. No warranty unfortunately, was hoping since they fixed before it might have been covered. Headed to dealership to talk to mechanic to find out more. Will post an update that might help someone in the future dealing with this problem.

 

[GTyankee]

wonder why the mechanic did not use the engine analyzer & borescope

some shops work like a Casino, the odds are not in your favor

 

[GsRAM]

Thank you all for the help! They engine is out and would cost another $2k just to put it back together. No warranty unfortunately, was hoping since they fixed before it might have been covered. Headed to dealership to talk to mechanic to find out more. Will post an update that might help someone in the future dealing with this problem.

Man that just plain stinks. Sorry to hear that.
You could tell them to put the engine and components in the bed of the truck and have it towed out of there. I don't know what a reman 6.4 would cost or maybe you could find a good low mileage one out of a wrecked truck? Maybe worth a shot. Good luck