Truck was running fine. Had a coolant leak under the thermostat at the head gasket and decided to change the head gasket. When I did, I found 3 cracked pistons. Has anyone seen this before? Anyone have any idea how long it will run like this?
(I'm trying to add a pic. I hope it works)
409000 kms.

 

Yeah, I wouldn't run a piston that looked like that if it was in a lawnmower engine. Better to do it now before it causes scored cylinders or something... you got it apart anyway.

 

If the bottom end is still good, you might be able to just drop the pan and push the pistons up from the bottom without removing the engine or the crank.

 

Nice catch...usually the failed pistons I have seen are observed after the block has become ventialated, which oddly leads to the infamous "external lubrication - splash varitey."

I'd be pretty thankful you caught this when you did.

 

Just an update.
I never did get to replace those 3 pistons.
I now have 518000 kms on the unit. Another 68000 miles since the picture. It's still purring like a kitten.
I'll let you all know when she blows up.

 

LoL! I never would have gotten away with it. Wish it wasnt such a pain to pull apart, I would love to see the pistons now. They might have healed themselves.

 

Sorry to revive an old post. Just wondering how OP made out with his cracked pistons. Just took a 24v apart to find the same thing.