OK, my turbo went out and I thought I could limp along until I could afford a new turbo, what I didn't notice was that my Oil Pressure disappeared with it! So after a short period of time, driving very carefully and paying more attention to heat than Oil Pressure, the engine now appears to only be firing a couple of cylinders and I have a serious oil leak.

After inspecting the truck, oil went from the turbo, down the exhaust, down to the aftercooler and into the exhaust manifold. I don't know where else it has gone, but I know it went to all those places... I have capped the oil line going to the turbo so I could run the truck without boost until I can afford the turbo, but I am still ony firing a couple of cylinders and have a serious oil leak! No, I am not running the truck, I am getting around town in my 1947 ******!

The oil leak is coming from behind the starter and runs down the bell housing(?) by the transmission. I am good for fixing minor things, but I think I am in way over my head on this one and need some real help. So here is what I need:

1. Is there anyone in Vegas that would be willing to work with me and take this on as a side project, I really need the truck operation in about 2 weeks. I can have it towed anywhere.
2. Can anyone recommend a shop that I could trust to do a good job and not rip me off.
3. Am I wrong thinking it is OK to drive the truck with no boost, if I am only talking side roads, no freeway driving?
4. With my description of the problem does this sound like a simpler thing than I am thinking it is? Someone told me they thought I might have blown a Main Seal? Someone else said something about a Main Bearing?

 

STOP driving it!! I would pull the boost hose off up near the intake and see if there is oil in it. If there is you'll need to pull the intercooler and have it cleaned. If your turbo failed enough to where it was pumping oil into the intake tract you could have possibly/most likely damaged the engine.

 

Take it to MS Diesel thay do good work and deal mostly with cummins. I think he is around the sams town area of town.

 

you probably just didn't send oil into the intercooler and engine, but also pieces of the turbo. shut the engine down imediately after a turbo blows. ted sterner blew his and had pieces of turbo all inside of his engine and had to rebuild the engine. your engine is going to probably need a complete rebuild

 

wow!! sorry for your bad luck.
where you towing when it went??
what was your EGT?

 

There is Diesel Specialists in north vegas. I believe that is where a customer of mine had his ISB overhauled.

You could also give J&S Diesel a call. Scott may be able to help you.

 

A chunck of impeller made its way into the engine and long story short I have a whole in the block....

Where to go from here..... I am told $11k to do a short block....

 

**** that is a lot of coin. As for advice I don't know what to say. I don't have that kind of cash lying around, I cold get it through a equity line an dmost likely that is what most would have to do. I think you could get a whole truck for cheaper and swap the engine in or keep it and sell yours. Find a low milage one and see what they cost.

 

You could look for an ISB in a school bus or something, I've seen them sold for about $2000.

 

1997 Dodge Cummins 5.9 Liter 12 Valve Diesel Engine
45,000 Original Miles without Turbo Item number: 140081681695
maybe this will help (E- bay)