1972RedNeck

We have a '05 Cummins (obviously) with only 70,000 miles (never towed anything) that just lost a cylinder. Coming home from a trip, about 250 miles out, I noticed a fast knocking noise when pulling up a pass. It sounded like a wrist pin knock. When running on the flat, there was no detectable noise. The more the load, the louder the knock. There was no loss of power and no smoke.

About 10 miles from home, pulling up a short steep stretch, all hell broke loose. The fast knock turned into a banging/hammering noise and she started to belch black smoke. We shut her down quick and got a tow home.

What do you all think happened?

1972RedNeck

Help??

StealthDiesel

What's the engine oil look like? Color and level?

Pull all the injectors and run a compression test.

Pull the head.

Pull the engine.

Country23047

Sorry man, hope it's not as bad as it sounds.

carl48

you can pull the exhaust manifold out 1/4 inch in about 15 minutes start the engine and instantly you can see witch cylinder it is. remove the valve cover and check valve lash on that cylinder. i think you will find the problem, if the lash is ok pull the injector and look at the nozzle for damage. i think you have the top out of a piston

1972RedNeck

Thanks for the tips. The shop should be empty enough in week to squeeze it in.

soulezoo

Sounds like rod bearings to me.

NJMurvin

Pretty scary for a truck with just 70k and never towed.

Lary Ellis (Top)

Could be if an injector was hanging filling the crankcase with fuel....I sure hope not

1972RedNeck

We took it to the Dodge dealer and had them plug their magic computer thing in. 5 minutes and $90 later, we knew that number 2 and 6 injectors were bad (we think that one failed and caused the rattling and then the other one let loose and starting smoking and banging). Anyway, we put a set of Bosch injectors in and it runs much better.

The problem is, it still runs bad. It now smokes white and misses. It has no blow by, but it cranks as if it has a cylinder with bad compression. Another trip to Dodge and another 5 minutes and $90 and they tell us that number 2 cylinder isn't pulling it's weight.

Another symptom is that when you snap the throttle, it sticks at about 1500 for 15 to 20 seconds and then drops very slowly and choppily from there. Any thoughts? I am going to pull the valve cover and do a compression test tonight.

jhenson

If your RPMs are hanging like you say then you better pony up the cash for 4 more injectors. Generally only replacing one or two is a band aid fix. Its best to replace all 6 at one time.

Sent from my high tech squawk box

1972RedNeck

We did.

We finally got the motor pulled out. It took Dad and I a solid 8 hours to pull it and get it stripped down. It was by far the hardest engine I've ever pulled.

Anyways, here are some pictures of the findings.








As you can see, number two is shot. What you can't tell from the pictures is that in the second picture, we have the piston at the top of the stroke - and it is still down in the hole where it should be almost flush with the deck.

And keep in mind - this is a 70,000 mile truck that has hardly ever pulled anything.

rockcrawler304

Wow. Not good. What are your plans for it?

Jeff in TD

So you think #2 rod bent?

Sorry for your loss.

1972RedNeck

I don't see what else it could be. The plans are to just do a stock rebuild but swap in a Colt Stage 3 while it's apart. We're thinking about just having the one hole bored and sleeved. Thoughts?