2006 Sprinter 2500 T1N with just under 200K miles.
On I-10 east of Indio, CA yesterday evening, climbing a long grade, there was a thump and the engine died. Got towed to Blythe, CA and the mechanics looked at it this morning and say that the timing chain broke and the camshaft gear on the intake side is also broken. Their initial advice it to replace the engine, just based on it being an interference engine with what they consider high mileage. But is that really high mileage for a Sprinter?
They're quoting $1500 labor for replacing the engine (plus the cost of the engine, of course). A brand new engine lists for $15,785, but they haven't checked to see if they can get a better price somewhere. I've found a remanufactured engine for ~$7000 (www.remanns.com) with some quick web searching.
Is there any real chance that it can be repaired without a full replacement? They're quoting ~$3000 (parts and labor ) for removing & replacing the head, not including the cost of the cam gear or the valve job. They can't get a quote for the vavle job until the head gets to the machine shop they use in Phoenix, but a very rough estimate is between $250-$700.
Could there be other damage besides just the head?
If an engine replacement is the best options, any suggestions for a supplier?
Any other options I haven't thought of?
I was on my way to my parents home in Phoenix, which is about 150 miles away, so I'm considering having it towed there, both for convenience (since it will take several days, whatever I do), plus figuring prices might be a little lower there, rather than at the only AA approved shop in a small town in the middle of the desert. Anyone have a shop they can recommend in te Phoenix area?
Obviously I'm hoping for quick responses, given that I'm kind stuck here until I figure out what to do.
On I-10 east of Indio, CA yesterday evening, climbing a long grade, there was a thump and the engine died. Got towed to Blythe, CA and the mechanics looked at it this morning and say that the timing chain broke and the camshaft gear on the intake side is also broken. Their initial advice it to replace the engine, just based on it being an interference engine with what they consider high mileage. But is that really high mileage for a Sprinter?
They're quoting $1500 labor for replacing the engine (plus the cost of the engine, of course). A brand new engine lists for $15,785, but they haven't checked to see if they can get a better price somewhere. I've found a remanufactured engine for ~$7000 (www.remanns.com) with some quick web searching.
Is there any real chance that it can be repaired without a full replacement? They're quoting ~$3000 (parts and labor ) for removing & replacing the head, not including the cost of the cam gear or the valve job. They can't get a quote for the vavle job until the head gets to the machine shop they use in Phoenix, but a very rough estimate is between $250-$700.
Could there be other damage besides just the head?
If an engine replacement is the best options, any suggestions for a supplier?
Any other options I haven't thought of?
I was on my way to my parents home in Phoenix, which is about 150 miles away, so I'm considering having it towed there, both for convenience (since it will take several days, whatever I do), plus figuring prices might be a little lower there, rather than at the only AA approved shop in a small town in the middle of the desert. Anyone have a shop they can recommend in te Phoenix area?
Obviously I'm hoping for quick responses, given that I'm kind stuck here until I figure out what to do.