labor cost of Cummins ISL replacement

80 hours????...did that come with a 40 hour paid vacation for the mecahnic? The mechanic must have been blind and in a wheelchair!

Ivylog wrote:
Unless you had a wrist pin fail and put a hole in the block, why not do an inframe overhaul. Granted if you have a Cummins dealer do it it will be $15+K.

Agreed..and you would know for sure how the "new engine" had been treated from day one!

rileydog82 wrote:
As the original in this topic I think I should give more information to clarify that Cummins nor myself are the culprits in this saga. I bought this 2004 Monaco Dynasty 4 years ago. It had about 50,000 miles on it and ran like new. The only problem it had was the blow-by was excessive and that slobbered oil all over the toad. I had it into Cummins 3 times and paid lots of money for different supposed fixes none of which worked. finally I put the breather hose in a gallon jug and at least the slobbering was contained.
My next episode was when the engine broke a cross link between two valves. I thought maybe the motor had cratered but it was not too bad a repair. The latest was a clatter in the engine which sounded a bit like the air compressor but was determined to be either a connecting rod or wrist pin. When they were assessing it they discovered with their computer that the engine was heated to 256 degrees some time (shutdown not working) before I bought it and since I had had recurring problems which all could relate to the overheating, I bought a motor from Visone in KY. and had the mechanic replace it. His bill 80 hours and $11,000. I now have a basically new motor even though I got ripped. Every day I learn something new. Never buy a diesel without a computer analysis!!!

$11,000.00 Canadian? What was the price of the motor from KY?

About $7000 dollars

Everyone keeps saying buy diesel they last a gazillion years

Not everyone, just those that don't have a clue.

hotjag1 wrote:
I'm still hoping someone can answer the OP's original question because I'm curious approximately how much an engine swap in a DP would cost.

I'm thinking that my original guesstimate was way off considering the weight, size, and all the accessories and electronics on these things. I would think that 40 hours would be more reasonable. Still a guess though.

A lot of truth to this 'guess'.

As the original in this topic I think I should give more information to clarify that Cummins nor myself are the culprits in this saga. I bought this 2004 Monaco Dynasty 4 years ago. It had about 50,000 miles on it and ran like new. The only problem it had was the blow-by was excessive and that slobbered oil all over the toad. I had it into Cummins 3 times and paid lots of money for different supposed fixes none of which worked. finally I put the breather hose in a gallon jug and at least the slobbering was contained.
My next episode was when the engine broke a cross link between two valves. I thought maybe the motor had cratered but it was not too bad a repair. The latest was a clatter in the engine which sounded a bit like the air compressor but was determined to be either a connecting rod or wrist pin. When they were assessing it they discovered with their computer that the engine was heated to 256 degrees some time (shutdown not working) before I bought it and since I had had recurring problems which all could relate to the overheating, I bought a motor from Visone in KY. and had the mechanic replace it. His bill 80 hours and $11,000. I now have a basically new motor even though I got ripped. Every day I learn something new. Never buy a diesel without a computer analysis!!!

The diesels are not perfect engines by any means. In the last year I have spent $$$$$$$ on my engine for repairs. Had the exhaust manifold replaced, new turbo charger, new head, new fuel pump, new fuel lines was the first problem. Then the engine shut down on our last winter trip on I40 and had a nightmare of a time trying to get that problem solved. I have 89K on the MH so the 300-400K mi engine didn't quite last that long without major repairs. I was told to R&R a rebuild engine could cost about 30K at that time but at least I didn't have to do that. By the way I have kept up with all the required maintenance on this MH.

Executive wrote:
Diesels are built tjavascript:;o last a long time...but....abuse them and they will bite you!!!....gotta put oil in em to make em last.....just sayin.....Dennis

That is correct but sometimes, things that are beyond the control of the user will also fail. Parts fail for no obvious reason and sometime manufacturing errors and design deficiencies can cause a part to fail prematurely.
Anyone that is knowledgeable about vehicle service is also familiar with Technical Service Bulletins(TSB's). These are NOT recalls but are manufacturing deficiencies that have been identified and the bulletins are sent out to the service departments to deal with those manufacturing and design problems. The CUSTOMER only finds out about them when a problem develops and he takes it to a DEALER for service. If it is out of warranty and he goes to an independent shop, or if he does the repairs himself, he will never be aware that the factory screwed up, and he is paying the price for someone else's mistake. Just saying........

moparmaga2 wrote:

dverstra wrote:

Pirate wrote:
Hey OP, you are killing us. Everyone keeps saying buy diesel they last a gazillion years, what is your story?

Diesel Pushers are great until you have motor trouble. Then, get your wallet out!:( Don't ask me how I know that.

I bought the diesel I had in my signature below thinking it would be big and bad and run reliably for 400,000 miles or more. I am not exaggerating when I say I rarely passed a cat dealer repair shop.

I now have a little ole jayco class c. I might have the v10 cranked up to 5000 rpm pulling a hill and get to the top slowly, but I have no doubt I will get there. My Caterpillar c9, I prayed she would hold together for each one.

I sure looked cool (and felt cool) in the big diesel though. I looked like a giant idiot to the people I care about though, my wife and family when I was having to sit oN the side of the road and repair shops instead of being on vacation as scheduled.

Maybe they are all not like that, but mine was.

First, let me preface my post that I'm not a mechanic. You do know that you are a real exception to the rule. You had a terrible experience. There are gas engines that have failed too but it's rare.

And, it was not your fault. You did not build that engine. You got a lemon. Your family loves you no matter what, don't beat yourself up.

Engines are engines, they are made by and designed by humans, they can be fixed or replaced. Live life to the fullest! Your bad experience is now behind you.

I had a bad diesel engine in a new GM car. It didn't make me want to never buy diesel, I just didn't know that GM converted a gas engine to be a diesel. I read now before I buy.

Good luck.
MM.