Dodge Ram Diesel problem!

[CraftyBigDog]

Hey guys my best friend owns a 2001 Dodge Ram 2500 with the cummins and they took it into the shop and low and behold they have a cracked block. It was just pissin out radiator fluid. They quoted him 7000.00 to replace it basically, 4900.00 for the motor and the rest labor. Is there a cheaper route or is this a decent price. Thanks

[FCLC]

Turbo diesel register has 3 blocks listed on the first page of their classified section. All 3 are for '01, one is listed for $300 the other 2 are listed at $1000. Probably more listed but I didn't go past the first page.

Hope this helps.

[Pickering Snow]

Iam sure John can help more with the advice end of it. From a logistcs stand point the shipping on a block right know would be costly and i would have to say that the amount saved by buying just a block will be ate up in labor transfering and rebuilding his setup. If it is a exteneral leak only there is a process for welding cast iron , it may be more cost effective to seek a good welder that is familar with welding cast.

My buddy three years ago didnt winterize his boat correctly and cracked the 454 block down the block web , since he had nothing to loose i welded it using super missle rod and warming the cast with a torch before welding the hole shut , its important that cast cools evenly i packed the weld area with a packing of heat shielding , he has run the boat two seasons with no problems iam sure a welder that does it on a more common basis could do it no problem.

[Mark Oomkes]

Is he out of the warranty period already?

[BWhite]

hard to believe that stout block would have problems

[Adams Plowing]

does the block have a 53 stamped on it?

[wyldman]

Anything will crack if abused.

It could be a 53 block,although there were not a lot of them used in 2001.Some 53's liked to crack.

I'd be contacting Cummins,and have them take a look at it to see if it is a defect.It may still be under warranty too.