We at Low Mileage Engines get a lot of calls from customers who desperately need replacement diesel engines. This is natural since our company offers some of the best values in the country on used diesel engines. I think we stand heads above our closest competitors both in warranty, availability of low mileage units, and delivery time. Many of our customers know exactly what they want before they ever call us, but we also have customers who request that we walk them through different diesel options. With those customers in mind, we present this article on what you need to know about buying a diesel engine.
The first thing that must be discussed space is the different levels of completion when buying a diesel engine – new or used. The “engine” itself is just the long block – the cylinder block and the cylinder head(s). However, some people need other components which can include injectors and injector pumps.
Used diesel engines are typically sold with a warranty that has similar coverage to that of gasoline engines engines. The long walk is warranteed (in the industry it is sometimes phrased that the internal lubricated parts of the long block are warranteed). In other words this would work for you if you had a bottom end go out on your diesel engine. If you had half your injectors fail and this in turn destroyed your engine, you would have to purchase a long block and new injectors.
Phrasing that is commonly used with diesel engines for a long block is “complete through the valve train.” Beyond this, companies get very murky in their definitions. Your best bet is to demand a list of parts included in more complete assemblies. I’ve seen phrases like “complete runner”, “stage I”, etc. thrown around from different remanufacturers all with very different meanings.
The three most expensive components in a diesel engine assembly are the long block, the injector pump, and the injectors themselves. Jasper engines, for example, lists a 2007 Ford 6.0L for $6466.00 while they list a “complete runner” at over $13,000.00. The difference in those two prices is essentially made up by the fuel injectors and the injector pump.
A set of injectors from Ford can run $3200.00. You need to know that most diesel engine remanufacturers required you to install a new set of injectors to validate the warranteed on their long block. Thus, you’re buying a $6466.00 long block that requires another $3200 expense in parts. There is nothing sneaky about this: bad injectors can damage a good engine. You just need to make sure that you’re getting something that you understand.
You should also understand that you will need to perform all the technical service bulletins that have been announced for your specific vehicle when you install your replacement diesel engine. For example, if you bought a Ford 6.0L engine from our company as a used engine or a remanufactured engine we would require you to install a new style EGR cooler since the old style EGR cooler is the main cause of failure in those engines. This is well documented in Ford technical service bulletins and a failure in instance when this is not performed is simply negligence on the half of the installer.
A remanufactured diesel engine is a great option which allows you to get a lot more life out of your truck. A low mileage used engine is sometimes an option with a lot more value. We sold hundreds of diesel engines including the Duramax 6.6L, Cummins 5.9L (both 24 valve and common rail), Ford Power Stroke 7.3L, Ford 6.0L and the new Ford 6.4L.
If you find yourself wondering which diesel engine option is best for you (or if you need a replacement Diesel engine), please give our sales staff a phone call at 800-709-9233.
We also welcome comments and questions on this post.
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