My Cummins isx is dead, buy a new truck, or do and In-Frame?

$22500 but did it myself.

Now after a year and a half and 150k miles I’ll say maybe I should of just bought a NEW truck.

No way I would put a new motor in a 2009 truck..... when all said and done it will still only be worth $15k if it was done by Cummins. Not a Cummins rebuild its worth $10k. I thought I was smart because it was a 2001 model year I may be worth a little more? Nope.... it’s still only worth $10k

Still stand by my decision but I do all the work myself but, if you don’t or can’t do the work yourself just get a new truck. No question.

Also the quotes you got for the work will grow once they crack the first bolt. That bill will just grow and grow and grow....

What will you do if the final bill gets to be $50,000.00 and they still are not done with it?

 

I’m running a new International LT with their A26 motor and it’s been great. I’m not a fan of Cummins or Paccar. I’ve owned Cummins in the past and wouldn’t buy another.

 

I had a 2009 Prostar with and ISX that I wore all the good out of. The truck was good as far as low maintenance, but because of that it was almost all original. The rears, tranny, front suspension, clutch, practically everything was original. I finally just bought another truck, I got a 2014 Cascadia with a DD15. I am not a Freightliner fan, but after investigating the problems with all the different engines I wanted a Detroit. New would have been nice, but since I am only planning on being out here a few more years I didn't want a big note.

 

So your saying to rebuild yours it will be $28grand? Wow that is a tough decision. Before all these new emission engines, I'd say easy decision rebuild. Because 28k and no payments vs 20k down payment followed by 5 years of payments.

 

You have a blown head gasket, and that's it?

1M miles on it and nothing else wrong?

Maybe just replacing the gasket would be a good start?

 

I was getting quotes of 8 grand for an isx head gasket, i'm pretty sure that was what was wrong with my truck, but once you open it up, who knows. I was quoted just short of 12 k if it needed a head. I figured it was too big a gamble on an isx with 880 k on it.

 

I started with a bare block on a '08 Pete, and I sit $30k over budget and just starting into the interior. Still cheaper than a new glider, but despite the fact that it feels like I've replaced EVERYTHING, there's still a lot of old parts.

 

Tough call. Because even a reman motor can come with its flaws. We’ve seen a new long block come in with dropped liners from factory and had to re deck it. Thankfully he checked.

But the isx 871 IS a good motor. But to replace the head gasket is time consuming. Pull the radiator, maybe your hood, pull the cams out, pull the head (heavy), now your looking at your gasket/liners/pistons. You will have to inspect the gasket & measure your liners to see if a liner dropped. If your liner did drop you will be looking at about $1200 to get a machinist to come cut the counterbores. (I wouldn’t pay a dime if I couldn’t be around for the before and after measurements of this part), then you would probably put in new pistons/liners, and main n rod bearings.

I think your quote is to high, well maybe not with the radiator. $25k should get you pretty close to an OEM REBUILD KIT + BEARINGS, NEW HEAD (not reman), NEW INJECTORS, NEW FUELING ACTUATORS, NEW FUEL PUMP, COUNTERBORES CUT + OVERHAUL LABOR.

The key here is, WHO U LET REBUILD IT. You let some dealer and a kid work on it, you might as well throw that money away. Got to be very selective with who you let rebuild it, so you can try to get a good return on your investment.

Good luck