Tray

So it seems that I need new valve seals. Truck smokes blue horribly bad after idle until I get some boost built up. Took my truck into Cummins and they say with 150k miles on the head and it looks like dirt has been in the turbo at some point (turbo looked that way when I bought the truck years ago) they are worried about changing the seals in the current head and say that I need a new head. They want $2200 just for the head alone.

Would I be better off to buy the head from them, or is there some other place you guys recommend? I don't have huge power upgrades but may or may not add twins sometime in the not so near future. Should I purchase a head with o rings installed?

I'm just looking for the best place to buy and want to do it right when I do, although the truck is a work truck and limiting the installation time is pretty important.

Big Deezul

why not have a machine shop go through the head and reman it? It usually cost about $300-$400

good time to o-ring and stud it too

Tate

Talk to some of the vendors on the net. I know Garrett at Puredieselpower sells real Cummins heads, you can get it o-ringed and/or ported as well. PDW had the same things as well. Save you on downtime doing it that way.

dozer12216

Don't spend good money on new when your's will outlive truck. Just get checked for needed repairs. Cummins must sell new parts to assure quality control. JMHO

nickg

are you sure its not a leaking turbo,?? the symptoms you describe certainly sounds like a turbo seals, also why cant you replace the seals in the truck?? I've never done head work on a cummins but if folks swap valve springs, I'm certain seals can be done in frame for a fraction of the cost of what they are charging for a head.

olddodgetrucks

i would find a new shop,cant see any need to replace the head,get another opinion

haloman

Could be turbo seals, get your head magnafluxed and checked and decked and repaired if its the problem.

Tate

Not saying his is, but the 24v heads are notorious for cracking.

Tray

The head is fine other than the valve seals. They are just worried about carbon and gunk or whatever dropping when they pull the head. I'm not too worried about replacing it, I was just curious as to whether or not anyone had any recommendations on where to buy...

67HotRod

I wouldn't buy a new head just because it needs valve seals!

scottsjeeprolet

did they replace the blinker fluid too?
I cannot believe that a Cummins shop is trying to rip you off like this! I would have to report them to corporate. That's ridiculous, dropping carbon and stuff, don't they have a shop vac? I know times are slow for everyone but how low are they gonna go to get business?
Get your truck and take it some where else. Where are you located, we might be able to recommend a knowledgeable shop.

RowJ

I just bgt a new head from a Cummins shop....had it O-ringed at Hamilton Diesel. Total was $1600, with O-Rings.
I would go elsewhere. That being said... 24v heads are very prone to cracks. A magnaflux test will tell you all....but a close visual inspection will tell you if any cracks are serious. If you can see cracks in the valve seat areas...replace the head. Otherwise....??

All 02 valve seals fall apart at around 100,000 miles and may cause oil burn on cold engines, but I don't consider it a serious problem.... or a head problem. Just have seals replaced.

Let us know where you are and someone here will know a good diesel shop in your area...if you don't! And what's the story on your "bored out block"??

RJ

thumper549

with a air chuck you can replace the valve seals.....it will not fix your problem as they are not under pressure at all, just stops oil from running dwn the side of the valve into the guide,
You can try it will be a cheap fix and EZ
but more likely like said turbo

Number47

maybe he doesnt need seals as much as valve seats. see how it could mistaken. i've only seen 24vavle heads crack betweem valve seats

thumper549

True that is a weeak area...but a leak dwn test ought to provide some clues ?