IP Shot. Now What?

[dms4x4]

With the help of some good folks here, and verification on some of the other diesel forums and vendor web sites, I've come to the conclusion the DB2-4911 IP is shot (hot starting issues).

So here's where I'm at:

1. 1993 GMC 3500, 4wd with 305,000 miles
2. Body is in real good shape with only a little rust behind the front right fender. No other dings, and a nice paint job.
3. Air conditioner compressor is shot, but not a big issue.
4. Nice drop down gooseneck hitch that I need.
5. Nice full width aluminum checkered tool box with full width lid.
6. Tires will last for 5k milles.
7. Engine seems to use some oil, maybe a quart in 1200 miles. Doesn't really leak much that I can tell.
8. I paid $2,000 for it.

The purpose of owning the truck is to have it on my farm that is 300 miles from where I live. I try to get there as often as possible to work on maintaining things, cutting brush, building fence, and keeping the place up. Reliability and dependability is the most important thing, as weekend time is extremely valuable, and equipment failures cost a fortune in terms of lost time and aggravation.

The question to the group: is it worth fixing, or do I cut my losses and look for something else?

Here's the fix up budget.........

Injector Pump $700
Injectors $500
Overhaul kit $1,000
Machine work $500
Tires $700
Misc $300

Total $3,700
Purchase 2,000
Glow Plugs/misc 200

I'm a fair shade tree mechanic and have a lot of tools, and can do most things, though it's been a long time since I saw the inside of an engine, and no experience with diesel engines at all.

The budget is approaching $6G. What do you think?

 

[Acesneights1]

with 305k on the motor I don't think I would be depending on it for real long trips etc but 700$ for a DB2 is absurd. They are about 300$ from Pensacola.Maybe less. I wouldn't pay 700$ for a DS4 let alone a DB2.Throw an IP on it and run it or sell it. I wouldn't dump a ton of money(rebuiding the engine) into something that old unless your in love with it. You won't get it back if you sell it.
500$ for injectors is insane too. Should pay no more than 2-250$ for a decent set of remans.

 

[dms4x4]

Pensacola quoted it re-built at $495. With new rotor and head, $695. From what I understand, it's the head and rotor that get warped and cause the starting problems, so there's no since in putting it back together without the new parts that caused the failure. I called the local diesel shop in Sioux City, and they wanted $1,250 to rebuild it with new head and rotor.

Truck won't have to go more than 40 miles or so from home, and estimated yearly miles put on it will be 2-3,000.

 

[Matt Bachand]

Just do an IP and thats it then.

Rockaut has injectors for 41 a pop if need be.. but for such little use why bother??

Find some skins from local ebay for used, I got 6 good 235 85 16's for 180.

Don't have to go nuts.

 

[bobbiemartin]

PM me. I have some used parts you might want.

 

[Acesneights1]

I got a quote from them a few weeks ago for like 300$ for the DB2 on my CUCV. PM Dieselpro.

 

[JMJNet]

I think your estimate is on the high side assuming you don't shop around. There are a lot of resources here that can help you to do this economically.

BobbieM has offered you some help. He is the DB2 expert.

 

[Dave01]

I'd keep it, put the IP and injectors in, glows if you need them. You said tires have 5000 miles left on them, and you said you only put 2-3000 miles/year on so they might last 2 more years, wait on tires. Overhaul - if once you put the IP and injectors in it starts and runs fine, hold off on the overhaul. Burning a quart of oil isn't a big deal, you can always watch and see if oil consumption gets worse. At your use level you can do one oil change per year and just add oil inbetween.

It sounds like you like the truck, it is in good shape, it will do what you need to do. If you spend $6,000-$8,000 for another used truck with 100,000 plus miles on it you'll still have maintenance items, still might need a new a/c compressor, still need tires, etc.

 

[ak diesel driver]

I use 2=3 quarts between leaks and blowby still runs and starts great.