Smoking. Cracked ring...??? What to do

[artvonne]

  Re: Smoking.  Cracked ring...  What to do

 Block the injector shut and drive it home. Thats what ya should have done, and thats what I'll do if I'm ever faced with something simular.

 But that comes only with the 20/20 hindsight that this adventure has given me.

[challenger440]

When piston parts go threw valves there is usually signs of trauma.  Normally the head looks like it was beat with the sharp end of a hammer and the seats are shot and the valves get bent (at least).  Same with the piston.  I don't see and don't understand why there is no damage in these areas.  The head looks like it has suffered from water damage, not like damage from physical contact.   Easier to diagnose in person for sure, but I am curious how that much piston escaped past those valves with no damage.
  I worked at an engine rebuild shop for a couple of years.  I was the tear down guy.  I've seen just about every kind of engine failure you can imagine.  Rods that looked like pretzels, cams broken (but still running) same with cranks.  I gotta admit, these pics have me stumped.  You could always do a backyard repair on it.  Run a berry hone on the cylinder, find a close enough piston, slap it back together, have it on the road for a couple of hundred...  Might last 10 miles or 10,000.  Marc really hoping for the best for you.  My own bus hasn't left the yard yet.   JM

[John316]

Marc,

Just a thought. This thread has gotten kinda long. If it was me, I would start a new thread now. Briefly summarize what has happened, include the estimate, and link to this thread. It might help some people be able to follow the thread.

FWIW

BTW, I am sorry for all of your troubles. That is rough....

God bless,

John

[Bill in KS]

What about this option:
http://goldcountry.craigslist.org/pts/2250257159.html

I have no interest in the above add.  I've been reading your posts the past few days and seen this while looking for spare bus parts.  

I have seen this ebay seller part out buses , might be a good engine avail through him ( I'm not way connected to him/her either)

http://cgi.ebay.com/ebaymotors/Eagle-Bus-MCI-5-Bus-third-member-373-gears-/180636226260?pt=Buses&hash=item2a0ec212d4

I know I've kick around at our local bus shops and found a pile of NOS GM bus parts stored away from when they were a GM Coach dealer.  Another bus shop had an extra allison 4 speed on the shelf at a fair price and they also had a MCI 8 with lots of parts avail if I pull them, plus LOTS of misc items just sitting on the self they saved for years.

I'm just 33 years old but I've learned ( with the help of my wonderful wife ) to just calm down sometimes and go drive around and scratch the dirt.  I'm amazed what will pop up when I take my blinders off.  

Best luck

Bill in KS

[Chopper Scott]

It does look strange indeed but it is what it is. I guess I would be afraid that one of the seven remaining may be on the verge of a similar demise. What would really suck is to pay that much to fix one hole and have another let go. What is the ball park for a rebuild. 12-14 grand?

[luvrbus]

When they pull the liner and clean out the air box they will find the rest of piston along with missing pieces of the liner ports it didn't go out the valves you should see a head that a injector tip comes off pretty much junk,Marc will be ok replacing one liner and piston just one of the diesel engines things you guys know S*** happens to the best of us


good luck

[artvonne]

I guess I would be afraid that one of the seven remaining may be on the verge of a similar demise. 

  Why be afraid? Williams stands behind their work, dont they? Shouldnt he trust them?

[luvrbus]

Paul you need to need to take a rest here man Marc has a plate full and you are not helping much


good luck

[TedsBUSted]

If it were me, at this point  I think that I would approach the shop for the: One-time, as-is, no guarantee, (but do the best you can) out-the-door, the last you'll hear of this episode, rock-bottom, best buddy cash price; to assemble the engine with one correctly repaired hole to get this whole deal behind both of us. We part on friendly terms and in the future we'll hope to do business again, with a better situation.

I wonder if this engine shows any evidence of a recent pre-Montgomery opening? Fresh pan or head gasket, paint off of the inspection covers, etc.?

[DMoedave]

well the 1200. credit helps and if you can get the towing out of the equation, your in the 3000. plus tax range. not too bad. now if we could charge a fee for posting on this topic we could raise some real $.  And a better deal will come along on a cherokkee for sure (with the high gas prices  ) Get the service manager to go for a ride with you and make sure everyone is happy. being a mechanic or in the service business can be a thankless job, bet they are doing the right thing. Just read Teds busted post. Ditto

[artvonne]

Paul you need to need to take a rest here man Marc has a plate full and you are not helping much


good luck

  Fair enough.

[thejumpsuitman]

UPDATE....

Yesterday I got a call from W.W. Williams saying that we needed to pay half of the invoice total ($5,275) for them to get started on the repair.  This total includes the tow bill which I would have had to seek reimbursement on myself.

Today, they have called me back saying that Williams is going to take care of the tow bill themselves!!!!!  And that they are not requiring any down payment for them to start the repairs!

KUDOS to W.W. Williams for doing what I think most of us would agree is the "right thing!"

I asked the office manager to whom I owe my gratitude (Although I know I owe it to God)...
She said it was the SE President Aven Sharp who made the decision.

I am so incredibly thrilled to be able to post positive news!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!1

She said parts have been ordered and repairs are underway!  

[zubzub]

That is awesome!  Way to keep your cool and keep soldering on!  I guess I now know about a great chain of diesel shops.

[chart1]

That is GREAT news!! Now you are are right in the ball park for the parts and labor that they are doing compared to the new bill. It is just great to hear that the SE President cares enough about an independent bus owner to make that decision.

[John316]

Marc,

That is great news. I really expected them to say that. They really are a good company.

So they said that they would take care of your tow bill? I missed exactly what they were going to take care of.

Anyway, I am happy for you.

God bless,

John