Guys here's the lowdown. Came back from a deployment, drove my truck to work, it had been driving for a few days already, loud bang, truck shakes, misfires, engine light comes on. Take to dealer, he boroscopes the motor, says the piston top separated from the piston, smashed my sparkplug causing the misfiring. Now they want 5800 for a new short block. I asked about just replacing the pistons, they are working a quote. If they tear down the motor to see exactly all that's wrong, it'll be $1500. Right now for diagnostic, its $240. I have a few good friends with extensive automotive experience and I'm no slouch. Thinking about buying some Keith Black pistons, taking my truck home and doing this with me and my buddies.
Called Greenleaf auto recyclers. Used 5.7L w/ 82k on the clock, $1800. Remanufactured motor, $5200. Keith Black pistons, $300.
What do you guys think? Anyone else had this problem? Oh, and don't ask about warranty...4k past.

 

What year is the truck? The 2009s have Lifetime powertrain and I didn't think the 2010s have been out long enough to be out of warranty.

 

Looks like it is a 2004 from his sig. Might try the 3d gen forum for help.

 

Damn, got confused, wrong spot, my bad

 

Guys here's the lowdown. Came back from a deployment, drove my truck to work, it had been driving for a few days already, loud bang, truck shakes, misfires, engine light comes on. Take to dealer, he boroscopes the motor, says the piston top separated from the piston, smashed my sparkplug causing the misfiring. Now they want 5800 for a new short block. I asked about just replacing the pistons, they are working a quote. If they tear down the motor to see exactly all that's wrong, it'll be $1500. Right now for diagnostic, its $240. I have a few good friends with extensive automotive experience and I'm no slouch. Thinking about buying some Keith Black pistons, taking my truck home and doing this with me and my buddies.
Called Greenleaf auto recyclers. Used 5.7L w/ 82k on the clock, $1800. Remanufactured motor, $5200. Keith Black pistons, $300.
What do you guys think? Anyone else had this problem? Oh, and don't ask about warranty...4k past.

 

Go to the junk yard/pic and pull and swap the engine out dude.

 

Ouch man! Im sorry. What I would do, take your truck back home and get some of your buddies with experience together one weekend, or however long it takes. Take the motor out, take it apart and look and see the damage yourself. Then make your decision. Don't trust the Stealership to rip you off. Do the work yourself and you'll have a great time learning more about your truck. I honestly wouldn't know the first thing about takin mine apart. But that's what friends are for. And I know there's tons of guys on this forum with experience and tips to help you out. Inspect everything and come up with a list of parts you need. Then buy some semi-top of the line preformance replacement parts and put her back together. Don't waste your money on the Stealership, or buying a refurbished crate engine. Have fun with it! That's what I would do anyways. Good luck man!

 

if that piston did really separate, that cylinder is shot. not worth reusing the same block when another is just $1800. get the used motor and just put it in. new pistons are useless unless you're planning on doing some serious mods. you just got super unlucky and got f'd with a rare, expensive failure.

 

4K out of warranty, Id be talking to the Dodge DM!

 

x2 on the $1800 block. My problem would be keeping my fingers out of the block and going nuts before dropping it in the truck (complete rebuild, cam, heads, etc.). Likely still cheaper than the dealership and as previously stated, it'll be more fun and you'll know more about the finished product.

That does suck though.