I am pretty sure I know the diagnosis, but wanted some confirmation from the experts.
I've acquired the motor in 2019 to swap into my 77 series. I didn't do much to it except some preventative maintenance like water pump, timing belt, and injectors/pump before installing it. Its been a great motor, put about 20,000km since install. From the beginning, I've had a digital oil pressure gauge installed, been monitoring and mentally logging the readings. Its never been high once warmed up, FSM calls for a minimum 36psi at 3000rpm, for a while its barely made it, never exceeding 40 psi. In the last year I've been noticing it creep lower and lower. I just finished up a week long 3000km trip with lots of highway, pulling large grades, sustaining max boost and loading the engine for extended periods. Towards the end of the trip I really noticed a decrease in pressure, more smoke at start up then usual (always been smokey) and very noticeable, eye watering diesel exhaust smell for anyone trailing.
Upon start up when cold, pressure is about 40-60 depending on temp. Once warm, very quickly drops to 8 at idle, and does not go above 25psi at 3000rpm. When loading the engine, pressure would drop to about 20psi, only creep back up once coasting. I did the compression test not too along trying to diagnose the excessive smoke at startup, its was marginal on the spec as well.
From everything I've read, all signs are pointing to bottom end problems with the main bearings, and whatever else. I am pretty much committed to doing a full tear down, wanted to hear opinions. These engines are not known for bottom end failures as much as the 1HDT, but anything can happen.
Thanks
I've acquired the motor in 2019 to swap into my 77 series. I didn't do much to it except some preventative maintenance like water pump, timing belt, and injectors/pump before installing it. Its been a great motor, put about 20,000km since install. From the beginning, I've had a digital oil pressure gauge installed, been monitoring and mentally logging the readings. Its never been high once warmed up, FSM calls for a minimum 36psi at 3000rpm, for a while its barely made it, never exceeding 40 psi. In the last year I've been noticing it creep lower and lower. I just finished up a week long 3000km trip with lots of highway, pulling large grades, sustaining max boost and loading the engine for extended periods. Towards the end of the trip I really noticed a decrease in pressure, more smoke at start up then usual (always been smokey) and very noticeable, eye watering diesel exhaust smell for anyone trailing.
Upon start up when cold, pressure is about 40-60 depending on temp. Once warm, very quickly drops to 8 at idle, and does not go above 25psi at 3000rpm. When loading the engine, pressure would drop to about 20psi, only creep back up once coasting. I did the compression test not too along trying to diagnose the excessive smoke at startup, its was marginal on the spec as well.
From everything I've read, all signs are pointing to bottom end problems with the main bearings, and whatever else. I am pretty much committed to doing a full tear down, wanted to hear opinions. These engines are not known for bottom end failures as much as the 1HDT, but anything can happen.
Thanks