In a message dated 11/20/2005 11:30:47 P.M. US Mountain Standard Tim, [EMAIL PROTECTED] writes:
Allright, I'll admit it: There's no way I'd attempt to rebuild my engine, so I'm either putting in a used one, or having it rebuilt. (talking about my 83 240D with siezed engine) So let me ask: Who can tell me what I might get charged to have this done. I know nobody can say with accuracy, but I'm just asking for input based on your experiences, list. Let's assume it needs a complete rebuild. And thanks for the tip about a good indie in Phoenix, Chuck, and others. He sounded like a real good guy - friendly and an enthusiast. But I have not yet called him back to ask him what he might charge for a rebuild, because at the time I spoke to him, my intentions were to put in a used engine. So what do you guys/gals think? Brian, I spent over $2700 on my 300SD rebuild, which had one blown piston and about 230,000 miles on the engine. I did all of the labor and just paid for machine shop services. I did put a new head on it and the engine got new liners and pistons, which sometimes you can re-use. Stuff like a new water pump, rebuild vacuum pump, timing chain and tensioner, new chainguides, etc, are all common replacement items at the time of an overhaul. Did your brother look inside the valve cover through the oil fill cap. I bet your timing chain broke and you have a broken camshaft and camshaft support bearings.. That is a typical locked up diesel. And it happens instantly with little or no warning. when the chain breaks, the cam gets out of time with the pistons and one of the pistons will come up and strike the valves which are sticking down. the valves are driven up with such force that it breaks the camshaft and support bearings. The vertical line up of the valves and piston tops usually will not hurt the valves and many have recovered from this by replacing the camshaft, support stands and chain tensioner, and timing chain. The engine has to be retimed to the cam and the injection pump so it is not so simple. Figure $700 to $1000 for parts and labor. A compression test, done after assembly, will be needed to verify the valves are not bent. Get someone to take a look in there. Regards, Jim Friesen Phoenix AZ 79 300SD, 261 K miles 98 ML 320, 138 K miles
