My Duramax Engine Blows

Yes, I mean it literally. My 2.8 liter Duramax diesel, which served me flawlessly for 2 years, had the engine fail internally in Layton, Utah.

My wife was driving the Chevy and I was following her in the Morgan. We were stopped at a freeway exit in Layton, about 30 miles North of Salt Lake. I heard the diesel rev out of control and white smoke spewed out the tailpipe. My wife turned the ignition off and bailed out. The engine quickly stopped and would not re-start. We had it towed to the Chevy dealer in Layton. They called us today, saying the engine was severely damaged and would be replaced under warranty in 10 days.

So, though I am pleased to have the new GT Beast, I am sorrowed by the Chevy dying. Such is life, my friends.

Hunter

Your description sounds like an injector may have stuck wide open, Hunter...It's good though that it's being replaced under warranty...Also good that the Morgan is a two-seater for Ninjawife...From what I hear, the four cylinder Duramax is ordinarily a good, trouble-free engine...

[...but it's still not a Cummins...]

:drive:...Ben

Recently, I recounted in another thread, my experience with a runaway Detroit which ate itself for lunch----an experience not to be forgotten:jawdrop::run:

Yes, after my experience with the Duramax, I think it exhibited Run-a-way symptoms before it died. It appears an oil leak was part of the failure - creating a Run-a-way situation.

But, in the end, Chevy stood up the right way on this one, and without a fight. Bless 'em.

Hunter

Revenge for buying the new one. It's all your fault it got jealous.

A Morgan with a Chevy diesel engine?

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Originally Posted by wacojoe

A Morgan with a Chevy diesel engine?

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That would be interesting...Until the first time it started, and twisted the frame into a pile of spaghetti...:bad:...Ben

Are Morgan’s still made with wood frames?

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Originally Posted by Truckman

That would be interesting...Until the first time it started, and twisted the frame into a pile of spaghetti...:bad:...Ben

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Originally Posted by wacojoe

Are Morgan’s still made with wood frames?

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Amend my previous remark from "spaghetti" to "splinters"...:beat:...Ben

Morgan 3-wheelers have aluminum skins on wooden bodies. It keeps them light. And, lightness is fastness.

So, the Chevy is currently dead. The Morgan I traded in on the Benz. I don't know if I'll keep the Chevy, once fixed, or not.

Hunter

Curious...which model of Morgan did you just trade in? Was it a wood frame 3-wheel or one of the newer design v-8 modern frame? Can definitely say I have never seen a Morgan in the wild...unfortunately. One would be hard to miss, much like your new Mercedes for different reasons...the Morgans are strikingly anachronistic, while the Mercedes is strikingly modern. Car guys - and ladies - will admire them both.

The Morgan I traded in was a silver three-wheeler I had just completed a re-hab on. It wasn't in bad shape, it just needed to be taken apart and put back together the right way. I also installed a G56 no cat, no baffles race exhaust since bikes are not inspected in Utah. It sounded wonderful, like a big Harley, with the change.

I think you nailed it, Joe, on how the Morgans are anachronistic while the Mercedes is modern.

Hunter

With three British cars in the barn now I don't need more----but about every 10 years I get the Morgan "fever". The good news is that it doesn't last that long!

Regarding the wood "framing" (as opposed to a wood frame) my 1922 Packard has an aluminum body(accompanied by a lot of other aluminum components) which is all on wood framing. There is also a lot of wood trim on the inside of the coach work.

Utah, please fill us in when the dealership lets you know what failed. I would be very interested in knowing. I have to think that it is very rare.

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Originally Posted by Dave Grubb

With three British cars in the barn now I don't need more----but about every 10 years I get the Morgan "fever". The good news is that it doesn't last that long!

Regarding the wood "framing" (as opposed to a wood frame) my 1922 Packard has an aluminum body(accompanied by a lot of other aluminum components) which is all on wood framing. There is also a lot of wood trim on the inside of the coach work.

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Aluminum in 1922 must have been an incredibly expensive component.
What are the chance we could get an inventory of the cars in your barn? Photos would be a nice bonus.

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Originally Posted by wacojoe

Aluminum in 1922 must have been an incredibly expensive component.
What are the chance we could get an inventory of the cars in your barn? Photos would be a nice bonus.

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I'm not sure of the cost---but beyond the coach work parts of the floor boards are Al, as are the oil pan and the transmission case and the steering wheel. The fenders and the hood are steel.

As for the inventory---I'll give it a try:

Miscellaneous:

Honda CB750 motorcycle (in-line, transverse mounted, 4 cly)
2012 Corvette Z16 Grand Sport
1922 Packard Sedan
Polaris ATV
Austin-Healey Sprites (Mk II and Mk III)
MG Midget

Trucks:

1999.5 F-250 Super Cab, 8' bed, 4 x 4
2007 F-350 Crew Cab, 8' bed, 4x 4

Tractors:

Oliver 99 w/Detroit Diesel
Cletrac HG 68 (2 of them)
Avery, Model A (Tractor)
Ford 900
Gravely 9000 (Only water cooled tractor Gravely every built---this is a Continental engine)
Alis-Chalmers WD-45 (my father bought new in 1953 and I bought it back)
Honda 22 HP diesel

Daily Driver cars:

2012 and 2016 Ford Explorers (Limited)
2015 MB S-550

There are couple of boats but that covers the "land rovers" pretty well.

I'll see what I can do with pictures as time permits.

Here are a few:

The 4th picture is of the 1999.5 F-250 right after the completion of a frame off restoration a couple of years ago.
The last one is one of the Cletracs and the first one was taken in 1966 in my racing days and I still have that car.

Big barn to hold all the goodies & dandies! Nice.

The barn is 100' x 40' and the design was inspired by the carriage house at Carter's Grove, a part of Historic Williamsburg. I wanted to maintain the same balance while enlarging the design to fit my needs. After doing the original drawings I went back to Carter's Grove and field measured the Carriage House---I was within inches--a fact I credit to the symmetrical balance rather than my eye and recollection.

BTW---the 1966 picture was during my "race on Sunday and drive on Monday" period!

I do like the barn...And the other goodies...Thumbup...Ben

Thanks Ben.

Here are a couple more photos:

Included is my beloved F-250 at the Arctic Circle and also in Deadhorse---the end of the Dalton Highway--next stop--the Beaufort Sea :getdown:

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Originally Posted by Dave Grubb

F-250 at the Arctic Circle and also in Deadhorse

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I notice your weird stalker with the funny beard followed you to Deadhorse...:tiptoe:...Ben

I'm calling American Pickers and sending them your way.......

The F-250 in traveling dress, plus the twins just hanging out :cool:

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Originally Posted by Truckman

I notice your weird stalker with the funny beard followed you to Deadhorse...:tiptoe:...Ben

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You mean the Amish like dude?

...and Bo....I have thought about calling them up....but they have to bring Danielle along :smokin:

Excellent work, Dave.

Hunter

I am about to drop $4K preemptively on my 6.7L Ford diesel. In the 2011 and 2012 models they used a Bosch high pressure fuel pump that is showing up with increasing frequency of grenading. When it goes its a $16K repair. you have to replace injectors, fuel lines fuel tank pump, filters etc. Or you can spend $1500 in a fuel pump and high pressure use one time only fuel lines plus labor. $4K now or gamble on $16k not happening later. I have no choice, 16k would kill me

Damn, Eric, that's a tough nut to swallow at one time...But given the choice, what else do you do?...:dunno:...Ben

Photos of the Morgan would be appreciated.