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Mountain Flyer
Joined: 03 Oct 2005
Posts: 212
Location: Boise, Idaho
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| Posted: Fri Jan 05, 2007 10:47 pm Post subject: What's it cost to replace bottom bearings? |
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Hey Y'all.... I have a '99 International Eagle with an N14 Cummins Celect motor. I purchased it with 456,000 miles on it. Previous owner said the "bottom bearings had recently been replaced". This was / is my first truck; didn't know much of nuthin' when I bought it 14 months ago. I have learned "some" since then :? but still don't know much.
Anyhow... it didn't take too many trips to realize my oil pressure runs on the low side. Cummins mechanics said 30 p.s.i. or better is fine. Well, mine runs from about 22-26 at 1550 rpm cruise. When it's hot, or when I have pulled a long hill, the oil pressure will drop and if I get the RPM's down a little, I get all sorts of whistles and bells going off notifying me my oil pressure is low.
I took the truck in last summer and they replaced a piston cooler... took the pump piston out of the oil pump and shined it up and replace it... and checked to make sure my oil pressure gauge reads right (it does). After this work, my oil pressure improved a little, for a while. But wasn't too long until I am back in the LOW ZONE.
I am wondering if prior owner's mechanix didn't botch the job on the bottom bearings, or ........ something else.....
I have not yet asked for a quote from the mechanic shop on tearing into the engine further. Anyone know off hand about what I am looking at dollar wise? :shock: Or have any good ideas/suggestions? :?
Thanks Boys......... :) |
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Bigmon
Joined: 13 Jan 2006
Posts: 705
Location: S. Cal.
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| Posted: Sat Jan 06, 2007 2:36 pm Post subject: |
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I'm know mechanic, but have been around cars all my life. A couple things to check before doing bearings are:
You might check to see if the oil pump is weak.
Make sure the gauge is working correctly. I've seen a lot on cars that have bad gauges.
Make sure the oil lines aren't kinked. If your truck has any. |
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special k
Joined: 10 Jul 2005
Posts: 255
Location: Ontario Canada
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| Posted: Sat Jan 06, 2007 3:05 pm Post subject: |
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| It shouldn't be any more than 1000 bucks. That what CAT quoted me and they're notoriusly overpriced compared to Cummins. |
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Rawlco
Joined: 25 Jan 2006
Posts: 1169
Location: Central Maine
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| Posted: Sat Jan 06, 2007 4:20 pm Post subject: |
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| You may get better cheaper service finding a local shop who can do the work. There won't be a warranty but you shouldn't need it. |
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solo379
Joined: 14 Feb 2004
Posts: 3164
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| Posted: Sat Jan 06, 2007 4:41 pm Post subject: |
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Rawlco wrote: You may get better cheaper service finding a local shop who can do the work. There won't be a warranty but you shouldn't need it.
Only SAE and CAT certified mechanic, touches my engine!
Those couple "saved" $$$, may cost you dearly! :sad: |
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Rawlco
Joined: 25 Jan 2006
Posts: 1169
Location: Central Maine
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| Posted: Sat Jan 06, 2007 6:08 pm Post subject: |
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solo379 wrote: Rawlco wrote: You may get better cheaper service finding a local shop who can do the work. There won't be a warranty but you shouldn't need it.
Only SAE and CAT certified mechanic, touches my engine!
Those couple "saved" $$$, may cost you dearly! :sad:
Yeah, but he has a cum-apart. That makes a big difference. :lol: |
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Bobby
Joined: 01 Apr 2006
Posts: 161
Location: Ca.
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| Posted: Sat Jan 06, 2007 9:00 pm Post subject: |
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Check your oil for diesel fuel contamination. If you have been gaining oil, i.e. you don't have to add oil when you used to, or the dip stick shows an above full level, you may have a bad injector or ? You can smell the oil for a diesel smell, and feel the oil to see if it's viscosity is thin for a quick check.
Another symtom is good pressure after an oil change, then it starts dropping off.
If this isn't the problem, then drop the pan and check or just replace the rods & mains.
If your losing enough pressure to set off warning lights, you need to take care of this asap. |
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bob h
Joined: 15 Oct 2006
Posts: 675
Location: Nb
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| Posted: Sun Jan 07, 2007 3:13 pm Post subject: |
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Bobby wrote: Check your oil for diesel fuel contamination. If you have been gaining oil, i.e. you don't have to add oil when you used to, or the dip stick shows an above full level, you may have a bad injector or ? You can smell the oil for a diesel smell, and feel the oil to see if it's viscosity is thin for a quick check.
Another symtom is good pressure after an oil change, then it starts dropping off.
If this isn't the problem, then drop the pan and check or just replace the rods & mains.
If your losing enough pressure to set off warning lights, you need to take care of this asap.
read this again, it's the first step ^
piston cooling nozzles can be checked when the oil pan is off
oil pressure regulator or relief valve could be problem (doubt it)
the oil pump could be disassembled and inspected for wear (remember, you're searching for a problem, do not just remove and replace parts).
check the bearings before replceing; maybe you are at the beginning of the same problem the previous owner attempted to repair by rolling in new rods and mains.
probably worst case scenario is that you could have worn camshaft bearings, possibly the result of an oil contamination problem earlier in the engine's life. |
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Mountain Flyer
Joined: 03 Oct 2005
Posts: 212
Location: Boise, Idaho
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| Posted: Tue Jan 09, 2007 2:49 pm Post subject: |
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Check your oil for diesel fuel contamination. If you have been gaining oil, i.e. you don't have to add oil when you used to, or the dip stick shows an above full level, you may have a bad injector or ? You can smell the oil for a diesel smell, and feel the oil to see if it's viscosity is thin for a quick check.
Another symtom is good pressure after an oil change, then it starts dropping off. If this isn't the problem, then drop the pan and check or just replace the rods & mains. If your losing enough pressure to set off warning lights, you need to take care of this asap.
read this again, it's the first step ^
piston cooling nozzles can be checked when the oil pan is off
oil pressure regulator or relief valve could be problem (doubt it)
the oil pump could be disassembled and inspected for wear (remember, you're searching for a problem, do not just remove and replace parts).
check the bearings before replceing; maybe you are at the beginning of the same problem the previous owner attempted to repair by rolling in new rods and mains.
probably worst case scenario is that you could have worn camshaft bearings, possibly the result of an oil contamination problem earlier in the engine's life.
_________________
Hey All, thanks for the advice and help. I am scheduled to take the truck to the shop next Monday and have it fixed. They are going to put a new oil pump in, and replace all the rod and main bearings, and look it over good. Hope that will take care of the problem. They cleaned up the piston in the oil pump last time, and it helped... for awhile... but anyhow they will tear into it and hopefully get it fixed. Pretty good shop in past experience. :? |
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bob h
Joined: 15 Oct 2006
Posts: 675
Location: Nb
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| Posted: Tue Jan 09, 2007 6:35 pm Post subject: |
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| will you post pics of the bearings? |
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Mountain Flyer
Joined: 03 Oct 2005
Posts: 212
Location: Boise, Idaho
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| Posted: Wed Jan 10, 2007 12:38 pm Post subject: |
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| I'll see what they come up with when they tear into it. For all I know the bearings are OK... might be the pump? Anyhow, time will tell..... :? |
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Mountain Flyer
Joined: 03 Oct 2005
Posts: 212
Location: Boise, Idaho
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| Posted: Tue Jan 23, 2007 6:27 pm Post subject: |
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Took the truck in; new main and rod bearings, new oil pump, new front main seal, put her all back together and oil pressure went from 20-26psi to 38-42 p.s.i.. They said the bearings were worn some.
I am quite pleased with that! :) However, the truck ALSO started knocking on occasion after it came out of the shop, so it is back in there until they figure out what THAT is all about....... injector, maybe? :x Time will tell... |
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bob h
Joined: 15 Oct 2006
Posts: 675
Location: Nb
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| Posted: Tue Jan 23, 2007 8:05 pm Post subject: |
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Mountain Flyer wrote: Took the truck in; new main and rod bearings, new oil pump, new front main seal, put her all back together and oil pressure went from 20-26psi to 38-42 p.s.i.. They said the bearings were worn some.
I am quite pleased with that! :) However, the truck ALSO started knocking on occasion after it came out of the shop, so it is back in there until they figure out what THAT is all about....... injector, maybe? :x Time will tell...
a fuel knock usually results in black/grey smoke, stumble, etc................ ? |
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Mountain Flyer
Joined: 03 Oct 2005
Posts: 212
Location: Boise, Idaho
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| Posted: Wed Jan 24, 2007 8:22 pm Post subject: |
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Well, back from the shop. They checked the valves, cleaned the injectors, but found nothing wrong. Truck ran about the same going the 125 miles home as it did when I brought it down. :x
Anyhow, as long as it is nothing serious, back on the road she goes. Might still be a bad injector that acts up from time to time, best I can figure... :? |
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