Just starting a trip to CA, towing the 30' 5th wheel over the pass, turbo started making noise, lost oil pressure, got it pulled over in a safe place, engine oil all over the passenger side fender well, battery etc.. I put 2 gallons back in, fired it up, still no pressure, can't tell where it is leaking from. Turbo does not sound good... got some engine knocking too. What are the steps to figure this one out?

Truck is 1999, 24 valve, stock (no upgrades), 215k miles.

Thank for your help/assistance!

 

We were on the side of the road overnight, got the truck home on a flatbed this morning. Started it up and I have oil pressure again. Engine still knocks, turbo is making noise at higher RPM. Besides the obivous knocking... how can I tell if the engine is damaged. How can I tell if the turbo is damaged?

 

Ok, I found the leak - it came from an oil pressure gauge line that cracked and allowed the oil to flow out. The reason I have the manual gauge installed is because the sender is out. Unfortunately, the guage was in the engine compartment so I could not tell there was a problem. So, it looks like I ran my engine out of oil. What do I need to check to see how much damage I have done?
Thanks,
g

 

Unfortunately, its going to be open heart surgery for the engine after no oil. The oil lubricates the engine, but also is used through piston cooling jets spraying up from the crank to the bottom of the piston crowns. Without oil and a fairly moderate load, there is high potential that you have scored the cylinders and possibly damaged some pistons.

You may be better ahead to look at a reman engine instead of fixing the one you have.

 

Ok, so it looks like I will need to pull the head and check the cylinder walls. How about the head itself - how resilient is the top end to running out of oil?

The truck still runs, it stumbles a bit on start up, once running it idles fine but is making more noise than normal. When I bring up the RPM's the turbo starts making noise... so that probably needs an overhaul. Has anyone replaced the cartridge in the turbo? Any issues there? Thanks!

 

Again, like Lil Dog said; Use the old engine as a core. Or a boat anchor.

 

Where is a good place to get a long block?

 

You might want to check salvage yards for a good running(as in being able to hear it run) used engine. one that includes the turbo would be a big plus. Doesn't sound good if you had to put two gallons of oil back in the old engine.

 

www.car-parts.com. This site will tell you real quick what is available used, and how close to you.

 

I'd pull the head and drop the pan.... if the cylinder walls are ok, replace the rod and main bearings... replace the engine oil pump and turbo cartridge, put the cylinder head back on and go another 215K...
If there was oil being introduced into the combustion chambers, it can cause a distinct knock on its own. Don't condemn it yet..

 

Thanks for all the insight and help guys. I am tearing into the motor this weekend to see what is wrong. From all I've read and heard, the Cummins 5.9 is a very strong motor - can take a licking and keep on ticking... we'll see.

I agree on the cartridge for the turbo... anyone have a good resource they could recommend?

 

Looking at the kits available from baeturbosystems on ebay. Anyone have any experience with them?
Thanks,
g

 

if you have a bearing knock, you will have to mic the crank....it's possible the bearing journals are damaged, then a regrind is in order............

 

Pulled the pan, some metal in the bottom of the pan. I filtered the oil when I drained it... some metal in there too... not as much as I was expecting. I'll open the filter up this AM. Checked the crank and rod bearings - all ok, whew!. We're working our way up now... perhaps a camshaft bearing???

I took a video of the engine running and the noise it was making, will figure out a way to post that if possible. Other pics of the metal and stuff coming too.

Regards, g

 

Open the oil filter and check what kind of metal is in there. See how much is magnetic, how much is non-magnetic and if there is any bronze or aluminum. That will give you some clues as to where to look for the problems.