My truck suddenly started running rough and the check engine light came on. I had Advanve Auto and Auto Zone check with their code readers and both places told me that the only thing that came up was " Bank 1 to rich". What does this mean and what do I need to do. I have parked truck for now.
Thanks
Michael

 

Moved to correct forum.

Could be bad gas from sitting.

 

Had a friend over last night and he suggested a compression test. We had checked for fire on all cylinders, had fire. Truck was just filled with high test the day before. He came over this morning and just called me, no compression on #3 cylinder.
Any ideas on what I may be looking at now?

 

Pull the valve covers, check the spring on #3. Probably broken...

 

Thanks Hammer
Michael

 

+1 unfortunately on that one.
Pray the valve hasn't dropped and damaged the piston/block.
Al.

 

OK guy's, here's an update. Mechanic pulled valve covers monday, and no broken valve springs. He called me last night let me know. Said I most likely have a burnt valve. He has not pulled the heads yet. He suggests that I either plan on rebuild, or if no damage to cylinder, redo heads and put back together. He is estamating 3000.00 to pull engine rebuild and reinstall. do not know cost to just do heads yet. I have 150,000 miles on this truck, what do ya'll suggest? What would cause a valve to burn? I want to make sure I get the ROOT CAUSE fixed.
Under normal use what kind of life span should I have on this truck?
I do not do any heavy hauling here, I do pull a 5th wheel camper 4-5 times a year for 200-300 miles. Camper grosses out at 4000 Lb.
I will have to decide what to do by the 10th - 20th.
Thanks
Michael

 

A burnt valve is usually caused by running too lean. I see it most with vehicles where the owner has omitted (gutted or cut out) the catalytic converter(s) and/or run without a muffler (dumped exhaust or cut-outs).

Can also be caused by an overheat if the head has warped near the cylinder that failed or even a blown head gasket can cause it as well.

You are right in wanting to find and repair the ROOT CAUSE, because just simply replacing the valve will have the problem come back.

$3000 is right about at the going rate for a Hemi rebuild (parts & labor), so he's not gouging you. I know a few with 200,000+ miles on Hemi engines and not had any major issues...

 

Thanks Hammer, I have never had an overheat issue, and the exhaust system seems ok. Could it be an injector issue? I have run 87 octane in this truck a good bit could this cause or contribute to the problem?
Thanks
Michael

 

Not much to update, I told mechanic I was not in a big hurry. The head is to be pulled today. If I have to rebuild engine it will be done by Carolina Machine Engines. $2300 to rebuild and 1000.00 to cover pulling and reinstalling. This does not cover any other items such as new plugs/wires, injector cleaning or replacement.
If I do not have any piston damage and just do the heads the price is 140.00 per head labor, plus parts.
Michael