Rusty Bowtie
General Category => General Discussion - Intros => Topic started by: chopper526 on August 03, 2014, 11:20:10 PM
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This probably has no business on RBT, but I value your opinions so here's my story. My daily driver truck is a 1999 Ram 1500, 5.2 automatic, with 245,000 miles. The trans has been slowly going on me for the last year and finally gave out about a month ago. While trying to decide whether or not to have the trans rebuilt I discovered the radiator was leaking. But the big thing I found was this: all cylinders have between 140-170 lbs. compression except one which was 80-90. I shot some oil in the cylinder to check the rings, no change in compression. So I was thinking valves or head gasket, although there is no water in oil, the coolant is brown and muddy around the filler neck. (Although it has never overheated on me, on two separate occasions while on the highway it blew out white smoke for about 10 seconds with no further symptoms) I tried to pressurize the cooling system thinking that if the head gasket was blown I would hear it hissing in the cylinder, but since the radiator is leaking that doesn't work. The engine runs well, and all spark plugs are unusually, consistently clean.
So.....with 245,000 miles is it time to give up the ghost, call it quits, pull the plug, wrap it up? Am I unable to see the forest for the trees? What I'm trying to say is: Is it time to transfer the flag?
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If were mine it would be "time to trade"
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Sounds like it could turn into a money pit. With 245,000 miles sounds like you already got your moneys worth.
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If you are attached to the truck how about finding a wrecked donor vehicle with solid driveline and do an engine/tranny swap.
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I agree with ED first,, and if this is your favourite truck and the body is in excellent shape how about a rebuild. My first choice if the body is in great shape is to do an engine transmission swap from a donner truck. I think this is your cheapest route beats $ 65,000.oo for a new truck
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I agree with ED also its cheaper to find a good donor and do a swap than buy a new truck,