7.3 with a low compression on cylinder #5, is this common?

[DM1]

I'm new here and I just ran into a big problem with my 01 7.3 diesel. only has 77k miles and I'm the original owner so I know its been well maintained.

As I was townig the trailer down the Hwy, the motor started shaking and smoking. Towed it to the neares dealer and they're telling me I need a new motor cause #5 cylinder lost compression (about 60 psi).

Is this common and how expensive is it to fix. The dealer wants LOTS of money to fix it. Can it just be the an injector or a valve? It still starts and drives but engine doesnt idle well and has loss of power.

Thanks for your input.

[bpogue]

What tests has the dealer done to confirm the extent of the problem? They certainly should not tell you that you need a new engine without a fair amount of work. There are a number of things that could cause the problems you talked about.

[DM1]

Originally Posted by bpogue

What tests has the dealer done to confirm the extent of the problem? They certainly should not tell you that you need a new engine without a fair amount of work. There are a number of things that could cause the problems you talked about.

First they told me I need an injector then they did a compression check and said that I need a new motor. Its only $12900 parts and labor. They said I got dirt in the air intake and now I need new rings. Funny thing is I had them do a recall and a checkup 150 miles before and everything was perfect. Lol

[pontiacross]

Originally Posted by DM1

First they told me I need an injector then they did a compression check and said that I need a new motor. Its only $12900 parts and labor. They said I got dirt in the air intake and now I need new rings. Funny thing is I had them do a recall and a checkup 150 miles before and everything was perfect. Lol

you could have some one build you a engine with buillit rods and abunch of other goodies for that, you'd still have to install it, but that is still pretty high.

if you have low compression it is either going by the valves or the rings. either way the engine has to be torn down.
It probably wouldn't be a bad idea to get a second opinion or at least a price of haveing the engine rebuilt and installed somewhere else.

[John_G]

If you got dirt in it, the COMPRESSOR BLADES would be ruined! I know, I've seen it enough times.

I will *guess* that the injector has failed allowing a massive compression leak, or you have a bad valve (bent, lifter bad etc).

GOOD low-miles used engines are 1/3 of that, INSTALLED!

[DM1]

Originally Posted by John_G

If you got dirt in it, the COMPRESSOR BLADES would be ruined! I know, I've seen it enough times.

I will *guess* that the injector has failed allowing a massive compression leak, or you have a bad valve (bent, lifter bad etc).

GOOD low-miles used engines are 1/3 of that, INSTALLED!

I found a low mile engine and it will cost about 1/3 of what the dealer wants but would it be cheaper to take mine apart and fix it or just change the engine out. You can't always trust everything you buy at a wrecking yard. How do I know how many hours/ miles this engine really has. I know what and how I maintained mine.

[sdan27]

So has the dealer you took it to done any work on it yet? If not, I would check the compression on the #5 myself. If it's low, swap the #5 injector with another and see if the problem moves with the injector. If so, like John G. said, you got a bad injector causing some problems. Like John also said, check out the blades on your turbo and see what they look like because if you've pulled enough dirt to wreck a piston, the compressor blades will probably be wrecked too. It seems like if you pulled that much dirt it would have damaged all cylinders and you'd have low compression at all cylinders.

[double-s-diesel]

could be as simple as a bent pushrod, or as bad as a broke ring.
even a possibility of a bad injector cup. or even a loose injector

[biz]

you werent using a drop in K&N air filter were you? they have been known to let dirt get by.....

but definately DONT LISTEN TO THE STEALERSHIP.......

they just want to replace the entire engine instead of fixing the problem.

if changing 1 injector fixes the problem.... your going to be saving a TON of money.

just their quote implies how willing they are to rape you.

[DM1]

Originally Posted by biz

you werent using a drop in K&N air filter were you? they have been known to let dirt get by.....

but definately DONT LISTEN TO THE STEALERSHIP.......

they just want to replace the entire engine instead of fixing the problem.

if changing 1 injector fixes the problem.... your going to be saving a TON of money.

just their quote implies how willing they are to rape you.

I agree about the dealer. That's why I'm getting a second opinion today. And yes I have a K and N drop in filter. Have used it for the last 50k miles so I hope this is not the true reason for the engine problem.