I have replaced the oil cooler and turbo,
How much work is it to pull the heads when you get that far in?
I would expect exhaust manifolds and head bolts, what else?
Can this be done without pulling the cab, I have studs?

 

Why are you pulling the heads?

Is it puking?

DSMMH

 

It is a fair amount of work... I just finished the job on my truck. It can be done quite easily without pulling the cab. you will need an engine lift to pull the heads and re-install. They are HEAVY. Using an engine lift made it a breeze. When reinstalling the heads you hold the studs in place in the head with elastics it worked great. By the time you remove the heads clean and inspect and re-install probably 8-12 hours you first time...

 

hott rodd, what did it cost for the new turbo and oil cooler and are they upgrades or stock replacments?

 

new oil cooler kit $225 and used stock turbo $400 both from ebay.

 

Is this after you have intake total time?

 

Yeap still puking and loosing lots of water ,
had headgaskets and studs done 2 years ago ,
i did egr cooler delete, and new oil cooler few months ago.
new rad cap last month, now I'm back to the heads again.
I've been quoted $2500 -$4000 for the job.That's not in the budget for a 218K mile engine.

P.s truck runs great except for the water problems.

 

It certainly sounds like HGs. Not sure who did the original stud/HG job but before you tear into it I would get an Exhaust Gas Test kit to verify if there is exhaust gas in the coolant.

Also, you use the phrase "loosing a lot of water". I assume that is a mixture of antifreeze and water and not just pure water?

DSMMH

 

hott rodd did you do the work yourself or did you have someone else put it in? im new to the diesel game and wondering how hard it is to do new oil cooler etc.

 

Who did your gaskets and studs the last time? if the gasket surfaces were not properly cleaned or if the heads were warped that would be the cause of your problems. If the studs and gaskets were installed properly you wouldn't have anymore problems...

 

Yes I did the oil cooler, It's not hard but it does take a little time 8-10 hours the first time.

 

Matt at Spartan did the head gaskets, I drove 250 miles to take him the truck, because I wanted it done right the first time. He said he checked them for straightness, so maybe I have a cracked head.

 

Where can I get Exhaust Gas Test kit?
What else could cause it to puke?
Mostly water now, I have to add about a gallon water ever 4-500 miles.

 

Here is the test kit I got.

UV560000 Combustion Leak Tester Uview 560000


DSMMH

 

Since Spartan in the sponsor of this forum we will assume he does good work!

Could the engine be over heating because of poor coolant circulation? Maybe the coolant pump is toast... Are you able to monitor coolant temperature? Overheating will cause puking too.