Not looking good

[Chris Capps]

My 2013 Ram 1500 with the 5.7L left me stranded at an intersection a few days ago. Thankfully, a Ram 3500 pulled up behind me pretty quick and pulled me in to a nearby parking lot. I finally heard from the dealer today to advise they would need about 5 hours to tear down and diagnose the issue. The truck had been running absolutely fine with 186K on the clock. As I approached the intersection, I heard a loud clicking noise for a couple of seconds and the engine stopped and would not restart. Mechanic got it to start today to move into the bay and he says it sounds horrible and suspects internal problems. I can't complain with that many miles on her. Not sure if I'll be needing a new engine or not.

 

[Burla]

Good news when our trucks heart gives out it can be fixed, we arent so lucky.

 

[Chris Capps]

Well, the dealership informed me today that the #3 cylinder is shot and there was metal on the oil control valve. Mopar recommends an engine replacement. Does that sound like the way to go or should I go to an independent shop and have the engine rebuilt?

 

[Burla]

That is pretty much what they do when you get oil in that valve, the only reason to go to independent is if you don't accept dealer pricing. Their diagnosis matches your event, it was fatal internal part. Just make sure they rebuild everything. It is scary some dealers will just fix the part, but with that many miles I'd want a rebuild engine with new top end. You can price that out and call independent shop to verify.

 

[HEMIMANN]

Yeah, Mopar Service Bulletin says to replace engine if metal filings are in the VVT valve. It seems logical to me, but if you want an official explanation you'd have to ask Mopar (@RamCares).

Personally, it'd be a real crapshoot to open up the engine and hope critical interface surfaces had not been destroyed beyond salvage. And - that would also require a lot of labor to inspect.

 

[Burla]

And with metal showing price a rebuilt engine as opposed to rebuilding the one you have. Get another 180k miles on the truck.

 

[Chris Capps]

Thanks for the replies. I will price around Monday morning. The truck is extremely clean, so I will be hanging onto it for a while with a new engine going in. Way cheaper than a pretty, new 1500 Longhorn. Thanks again. Again, I feel very blessed to have gotten 186K out of her.

 

[Chris Capps]

That is pretty much what they do when you get oil in that valve, the only reason to go to independent is if you don't accept dealer pricing. Their diagnosis matches your event, it was fatal internal part. Just make sure they rebuild everything. It is scary some dealers will just fix the part, but with that many miles I'd want a rebuild engine with new top end. You can price that out and call independent shop to verify.

Yeah. He is saying to get a long block and intake manifold.

 

[Burla]

Top end = heads valves lifters the whole nine. At least rebuild heads. At this point with those miles imo it is all or nothing, my opinion. So sounds like you found the right place.

 

[Burla]

Did they same any price on that? Just for the block? or both labor and block?

 

[Chris Capps]

I won't get a price until Monday. I also haven't seen the complete parts list. I know it will be a long block assembly and new manifold. I am considering buying a rebuilt engine. Blackwater Engines is about 3 hours from me, and they have a Non MDS rebuilt long block assembly for $3250. I have been reviewing some threads on the MDS and it seems most prefer not to have it. I wonder if the dealer tech would be willing or able to tune it out?

The cheapest OEM engine I've found so far is at MoparPartsGiant.com at $5150.

 

[Burla]

I'm pretty sure the dealer wouldn't touch that, just ask the engine builder about pcm options for the deleted mds. If I sold non mds hemi's, you could bet I would have that info on hand. That price sounds pretty good, really good for all those parts.

 

[QwikKota]

An independent shop should be much cheaper to have the engine replaced. Best bet would be to get a junkyard pull with tranny from a wrecked truck but may not be easy to find.

 

[RodeoRam]

@Chris Capps, check out @big daddys house thread on replacing his 5.7L with a Jasper engine last year.

 

[Hemi395]

I won't get a price until Monday. I also haven't seen the complete parts list. I know it will be a long block assembly and new manifold. I am considering buying a rebuilt engine. Blackwater Engines is about 3 hours from me, and they have a Non MDS rebuilt long block assembly for $3250. I have been reviewing some threads on the MDS and it seems most prefer not to have it. I wonder if the dealer tech would be willing or able to tune it out?

The cheapest OEM engine I've found so far is at MoparPartsGiant.com at $5150.

Have you sent Benny a PM on here? He might be able to help...

@AllMoparParts.com

 

[burner71]

If you are mechanical at all i would tear down, bring it to an engine shop and have the block cleaned, honed and made ready. Get the heads reconditioned and the rods. Looking at around 600 at least where I go. Then a new set of pistons and rings and rebuild.
Next option would be car-part and get a running motor out of a total for abut 2500 or less.
Find a small transmission shop to do the swap. They always seems to be cheaper than regular garages for swaps.

 

[GTyankee]

Rebuilt Long block, turn in your core, minus sensors & anything that you may need, such as all mounts, pulleys, plugs in the water jacket, etc.

1500 Rams have MDS

Heavy duty Rams don't have MDS, unless it happened in the last year or two

 

[gfh77665]

An independent shop should be much cheaper to have the engine replaced. Best bet would be to get a junkyard pull with tranny from a wrecked truck but may not be easy to find.

Hey there Seabrook, I am your neighbor in Baytown. I frequent your area a lot, Crazy Alans Swamp Shack, Tookies, Topwater Grill, etc.