2015 3.0L Head gasket likely needed and trade-in or otherwise not an option

[Estielle]

Howdy y'all!

So I have a 2015 ram 1500 ecodiesel, 4x4, tradesman mega cab. It has gotten. Me this far but a series of unfortunate events have landed me where I am;

Full egr/dpf/def deleted, 146k miles, has 5k lb air bags for rear, new axles, radiator. Tattoo, water pump, I replaced the turbo coolant line, at which point I also cleaned the intake manifold thoroughly and used a powerful vacuum to pull what i could out of the cylinders.

At this point I don't have the option to trade in due to egr delete (I live in california), and given all else it seems my best option is to just bite the bullet and replace the head gasket, at which point I might as well replace everything i can and haven't already along the way.

I have done some searches and keep finding people alluding to 'well documented' rebuilds and stuff, but, please forgive me, but I haven't been successful in finding any of the referenced threads? Can someone please link one or direct me toward one? Or if anyone has any good suggestions, I'm not really in a great place to do the repair, but one which I can manage with if no other choice. I have most the tools due to previous work

I grew up in the country in kansas working on vehicles, mostly diesel, including powerstroke and Cummins largely, but I am (painfully, aggravating, Infuriatingly) aware this is nonesuch engine.

Point being rather that I can manage it, preferably with guidance, worst case without, but I would really prefer the guidance due to the whole 'not being somewhere that they allow this' (they will tolerate it if I am consistently working on it and don't have parts laying around or anything)

Anyway, please move this if this is the wrong place for the post or anything, I am new to forums and stuff

Thank you!

 

[sleepy2mary]

I bought head gaskets at RockAuto.com. go under RAM to fine the engine. So much cheaper, I got the middle name, sorry can't remember name, and the bolts are better priced there also. Other parts stores online is XDP they are good also

 

[GearHead]

I would add a recommendation to subscribe to AllData DiY for schematics, instruction for disassembly and reassembly, specifications.

 

[MrB616]

Just fully rebuilt mine. You'll need to get the cam lock timing set. Fairly inexpensive on Amazon but priceless to have. The cams are pinned into position and there is a plug on the driver's side of the block to put a pin into lock the crankshaft into position

 

[sleepy2mary]

I had both of my heads replaced twice for to a bad gasket, unsure how both gaskets can be bad. I didn't think they did anything to the cams or the timing. It had 4 oil changers then the last time surprise there's cam fragments in the engine. We lost the engine, let the truck go back for too no engines were supposedly available.

 

[ok3]

Just fully rebuilt mine. You'll need to get the cam lock timing set. Fairly inexpensive on Amazon but priceless to have. The cams are pinned into position and there is a plug on the driver's side of the block to put a pin into lock the crankshaft into position

I have the takeout from my swap... It was running fine, stock @ 198K but started showeing metal in the filter..
How wasyour crank/mains/rods/bores that you started with??? IE did you do any significant block/crank work?
As I read it oversize bearings are not? available? Having done a number of simple builds in the past,on various USA engines gas and diesel... Hone, turn crank if needed, etc etc..AS well as a few interesting builds,.I am tempted to build my old block... Is it worth it???
Appreciate your answer.

 

[ok3]

Just fully rebuilt mine. You'll need to get the cam lock timing set. Fairly inexpensive on Amazon but priceless to have. The cams are pinned into position and there is a plug on the driver's side of the block to put a pin into lock the crankshaft into position

What shape was your engine in at starting the rebuild? I have my takeout...it was running fine but started showing metal in the filter..I am thinking of building it... How expensive were the parts? Did you do any machine shop work? Valve guides?
No one seems to want my takeout so if I build it I myself can use it for a non truck job ..it is light and has decent power..
Is it worth it?

 

[MrB616]

Bought the truck with a rod knock. Good deal on it. 158,000 miles. Turns out it was a LKQ motor in it. So not sure how many miles truly on it. Got it apart. Had spun middle rod bearing. Spun the main bearing next to it. Also maged the crank and found it cracked as well. When whoever swapped motors, replaced a gloplug. With not the proper one for it. Spent an entire day cleaning carbon out of the heads most of them were at least 75% plugged. Had a least 8 hours in removing glow plugs. Cylinder walls were in great shape just honed and reringed the pistons. The align bore on the mains was horrible bad. Head bolts and rod bolts are stretch to yield. Make sure aftermarket head bolts have a washer. The set I bought didn't . Would be worth the money to find ARP bolts that would work to stud the heads. Head bolts are M14. It's a trick to remove the engine. I did it in my garage with just a floor jack and cherry picker. No need to lift the cab off. Also fully deleted and tuned now. With a 50hp tune it's as quick as my old hemi. I tell everyone this ram is my redheaded stepchild with ADHD. I also have a 15 Ecodiesel. Stock Bighorn 4x4 with 275000 miles on it that doesn't miss a beat. Doesn't burn a drop of oil on oil chnages. Had the intake replaced cuz the flappers sooted up and the bolts on the exhaust flange broke and melted the def pump. Other than that, it's just been oil changes and tires.

 

[MrB616]

What shape was your engine in at starting the rebuild? I have my takeout...it was running fine but started showing metal in the filter..I am thinking of building it... How expensive were the parts? Did you do any machine shop work? Valve guides?
No one seems to want my takeout so if I build it I myself can use it for a non truck job ..it is light and has decent power..
Is it worth it?

Parts aren't too bad. Bought a lot off evil bay. Heads were just very carboned up. Glow plugs were the worst to remove. Absolute nightmare. Guides were great. Just a simple valve job

 

[MrB616]

I have the takeout from my swap... It was running fine, stock @ 198K but started showeing metal in the filter..
How wasyour crank/mains/rods/bores that you started with??? IE did you do any significant block/crank work?
As I read it oversize bearings are not? available? Having done a number of simple builds in the past,on various USA engines gas and diesel... Hone, turn crank if needed, etc etc..AS well as a few interesting builds,.I am tempted to build my old block... Is it worth it???
Appreciate your answer.

Modern mass production. Factory can install 3 different thickness of head gaskets. Aftermarket ones are thickest March from factory. My crank was cracked so opted for a Chinese knockoff. Was in my price range. I.did not find undersized bearings for it but like the head gaskets, factory could install 3 or 4 different thickness bearings based on the machining of the rod and main bore. Color codes are actually printed onto the front counter weight of the crank. Rods are fractured rods so there is no resizing if you spun a rod bearing. I bought a good used rod to replace mine

 

[ok3]

If you are ever close to 24120, or 29910 send me an email... like to buy you a beer !!! You have done your homework!

 

[MrB616]

If you are ever close to 24120, or 29910 send me an email... like to buy you a beer !!! You have done your homework!

Deal! Happy to help! Good luck with it. I wouldn't give up on this little engine that can