I recently took the truck in for some popping noises out of the tail pipe along with some rough idling. It turns out I have joined the bad valve seat club. They want to replace the whole head because they said Dodge doesn't send parts out for servicing. This is pretty crappy since I have 5 other perfect cylinders and no (thank God) piston damage. Parts and labor is around 4800 bucks for the new head, just for one valve seat crapping. Is this all that can be done? The truck is in SC right now and I am stuck with a rental. As they say, time is money and I don't want her to be down for long. But... I'd like to get another 200k out of her before this happens again. Is there anything to prevent this in the future? Should I just suck it up and have the head replaced? Is the price mentioned seem right? I was quoted 9600 for a complete engine, so 4800 for just a head seemed a little stiff. Thought about trading, but can't really bring myself to get rid of the ol girl. Any thoughts/opinions appreciated.

 

If you can come up w/ another $4800, I'd go w/ a new engine. $4800 for a new head and who knows whats going to happen next.

 

We can generally repair the heads no problem. If you do have to get a new head they can be had for about $1400. Either way we normally can fix or replace for about half of what you were quoted, labor parts everything. Tim

 

Wow! Too bad I didn't break down closer to home. 1400k for a head, is that loaded? How quick can you get one, and could it be drop shipped to a dealership?

 

I will check tommorow. Give me a call at the shop. That is a complete head. Shipping might be a little high it is near 200lbs, Tim

 

Yes shipping will be high, especially if shipped overnight. But still if it saves some and I can get it rolling by the weekend it will be worth it. If I don't have it by next week I will start loosing money. It's nice to explore some options, I'll give you a call tomorrow, thanks Tim.

 

Price sounds high. I ended up w/ a new 06 head w/ some porting/polishing done, new HD springs and o'ringed for 2800.00. I'd tow that thing elsewhere.

 

B Law, where are you at in SC? Anything I can do to help?

 

no way on earth would i give them one dollar to replace a head for a bad valve. its because none of the auto techs today know how to replace a valve. just taught how to replace parts.

its a couple hundred dollar fix for a new seat and valve. atleast locally here.

 

It's amazing how even the dealership techs don't do much beyond swap parts...

we just rebuilt the guts of a G56 to make a simple repair - the only other alternative was for the customer to purchase a new or reman tranny.

 

It is amazing it is like no one wants to repair things just swap them.
B. Law the head would need to come from Cummins direct so they could ship to you as well as I ,if needed. If you get it towed I am sure we could repair it with a oversized seat and new valve. Should get the head tested, milled, valve job and new seals since you have it off but this would be a lot cheaper than a new head. Tim

 

What's scary is how you get the impression from talking to uniformed "professionals" is that they swap parts because they don't know how to repair/rebuild them...

 

Try www.doverusa.com I did business with this group for years.Always used UPS or FED X to ship to and from. A NEW BARE head looks to be about $1475 here www.originalmoparparts.com

 

Hello all, obviously a newb here. Can I ask why this would not be a warranty replacement?

 

First reasons are aftermarket injectors,fueling box and might just be over 100k on the odometer.First reasons are enough of no warranty.YOU PLAY YOU PAY!