HAHAHA!!! Stop. Don't say anything else. That has to be the dumbest, most ignorant, insensible, moronic comment I've read in a LONG time. Go away...


As for the problem at hand, what you have is excessive blowby. Yes, it is likely terminal. The engine is certainly not 100% healthy. A reman from Cummins is right at $13.5k, and expect to get about 1500 core for your engine. That's $12k out of your pocket.

A 6.7 is $15k, and depending on where you can source it from, they can get you core credit on your 5.9 with the 6.7.

Your other option is looking for a good used engine, anything from an '03 to a new wrecked '11 can go in. If you were to source an engine from an '03 or early '04, or any 6.7 ('07.5-'11) you MUST use the nozzles for an '03/'04 on your good injector bodies (assuming your injectors are good. Great idea to send them out and get them checked.). Also use your injector wiring harness and turbo. An '04.5-07 5.9 is a direct swap.

The final option is a rebuild. Far cheaper than a reman from Cummins, and you know exactly what you're getting with the rebuild (new rings, new bearings, new gaskets throughout, etc.) I would suggest finding either a reputable diesel shop, or a Cummins shop nearby. Avoid the dealer.

 

+1 on bypassing the dealer unless they will help you out with the warranty issue. We just replaced a 5.9L Cummins in a Freightliner truck and the tab was $15,300 for a reman engine. Cummins might say it would be better to replace as well depending on the issue. According to my employee, the engine was using water for some time and it ended up scoring a piston. It would have cost as much to rebuild the motor as it was to replace.

 

A rebuild can get pretty spendy. My rebuild sits right around 10k I'd guess, I haven't sat down and tallied the total cost. Don't really want to either.

Six new .020 over pistons, coated on the crowns and skirts, balanced rotating assembly, new bearings and gaskets throughout, six reman injectors, Hamilton cam/pushrods/valvesprings, headstuds, completely rebuilt head, block bored and align honed.

All the labor was done by myself.