I'm chasing engine misfires (see previous post under my name).
Quick summary: A rough idle soon brought in #2, 3, and random misfires codes. I replaced plugs/wire, distributor cap, rotor - No improvement.
Good fuel pressure and vacuum. Replaced the fuel injector in #2 (most common) - No improvement.
Poor compression in #2 and a slight loss in water level lead me to replace the head gasket on that side only. With the head off, everything looked great, no evidence of leaks or carbon buildup. The inverted head held acetone with out leaking, so I assumed the valves and head were good. I never overheated the engine, so I didn't suspect and damage. As troubleshooting aid, I went ahead and reinstalled the head without doing any refurbishment. Compression back to normal, bit misfire codes on #2 & #4.
I'm ready to punt, so I called my local dealer and they are willing to take my $168 for dianogistics testing and he said the answer most likely will be cracks in the head in between the intake and exhaust valves - because the 5.9L has a bad history.
I have decent compression (#2 is the lowest @120 and the highest is 150#), so it is diffiicult for me to thoink about pulling the heads again.
How common a problem is this?
My local machine shop can refurbish the head (I assume as long as there are no cracks) for $100-200 based on the amount of valve work or I found a place on the internet that exchanges heads for $250/each. If cracks are in deed common enough, perhaps I should save the $168 and go straight to the heads.
Any ideas?
Quick summary: A rough idle soon brought in #2, 3, and random misfires codes. I replaced plugs/wire, distributor cap, rotor - No improvement.
Good fuel pressure and vacuum. Replaced the fuel injector in #2 (most common) - No improvement.
Poor compression in #2 and a slight loss in water level lead me to replace the head gasket on that side only. With the head off, everything looked great, no evidence of leaks or carbon buildup. The inverted head held acetone with out leaking, so I assumed the valves and head were good. I never overheated the engine, so I didn't suspect and damage. As troubleshooting aid, I went ahead and reinstalled the head without doing any refurbishment. Compression back to normal, bit misfire codes on #2 & #4.
I'm ready to punt, so I called my local dealer and they are willing to take my $168 for dianogistics testing and he said the answer most likely will be cracks in the head in between the intake and exhaust valves - because the 5.9L has a bad history.
I have decent compression (#2 is the lowest @120 and the highest is 150#), so it is diffiicult for me to thoink about pulling the heads again.
How common a problem is this?
My local machine shop can refurbish the head (I assume as long as there are no cracks) for $100-200 based on the amount of valve work or I found a place on the internet that exchanges heads for $250/each. If cracks are in deed common enough, perhaps I should save the $168 and go straight to the heads.
Any ideas?