Head Gasket Leaking at 55K miles ?? Bone Stock, no heavy pulling, normal driving

[LFalconer]

Hi All,



2006 CTD 4WD quad cab. Bone stock, no towing. Normal driving per se. Head gasket weeping / leaking on Pass side of motor, mid way back on head.



Is this usual, how many folks have had Head Gaskets let go this early?



We had a 97 CTD with a 12v / P Pump several years ago running many mods. Second to last head gasket we went with marine gasket, boost at 42. 370 injectors, pump set up etc. We did 3 head gaskets on this truck, but it was running well north of stock HP and Torque. Dynoed close to 1000 lb ft at ~ 600 hp... So I expected breakage. But a stock CTD run easy...



Thanks,



Luke

 

[Motorhead]

Are you sure that it is the head gasket? The pipe plugs in that area leaked on my '07,5. 9. I just tightened them.

 

[jgillott]

There is also that small coolent hose behind the turbo that is a common leak source in that general area.

 

[LFalconer]

Motorhead, Thanks - you are correct - there is a pipe plug in that area as well. However I cleaned the area very well initially and ran it an additional 2 weeks. The dried coolant is right in the joint area of the head and block, not "close" to the plug.

Good news is the truck is under a Carmax warrenty - I bought it used with 46K on it and got a 85k mi / 6 yr warrenty so it goes in Wed.

Luke

 

[LFalconer]

Thanks, I checked that worm drive clamped hose first, but it higher on the block assembly...

 

[MChrist]

Hmmm. My first guess would have been the coolant hose behind the turbo as well. I don't think I've heard of any leaking coolant from the head area the entire time I've been on this forum.
Keep us posted, please.
Thanks.

 

[Got HO?]

Hi All,

2006 CTD 4WD quad cab. Bone stock, no towing. Normal driving per se. Head gasket weeping / leaking on Pass side of motor, mid way back on head.

Is this usual, how many folks have had Head Gaskets let go this early?

We had a 97 CTD with a 12v / P Pump several years ago running many mods. Second to last head gasket we went with marine gasket, boost at 42. 370 injectors, pump set up etc. We did 3 head gaskets on this truck, but it was running well north of stock HP and Torque. Dynoed close to 1000 lb ft at ~ 600 hp... So I expected breakage. But a stock CTD run easy...

Thanks,

Luke

7 year 100k mile warranty? Or am I wrong? My truck had that warranty in '03... ... .....

 

[AH64ID]

The 05 was the last year of the 7 Year /100K mile, it dropped back to 5 years / 100K in 06.

 

[JFought]

there a coolant hose that acts as a coupler
just barely under the exhaust is two metal pipes for the cooling system.
There is a hose that connects them as is well know to weep/leak. There is a new and improved hose and clamps to install when you finally get fed up messing with it.
the location is about the fifth cylinder.

 

[Prairie Dog]

It's really hard to believe it's a head gasket. In the years I've been on here I've never heard of that happening.

 

[JJPage]

Power brake it in gear to get manifold pressure up while someone is watching the supposed leak, it should "mist" if the head gasket is failing. Be aware this could be dangerous.

 

[Bob4x4]

Being that you bought it used who is to say it was not abused before Car Max bought it??

 

[Wingate]

Being that you bought it used who is to say it was not abused before Car Max bought it??

exactly... engine could have been grenaded and put back together in someones driveway... not saying it has, just saying, with a used vehicle, sometimes you are at the mercy of fate...

 

[Bob4x4]

exactly... engine could have been grenaded and put back together in someones driveway... not saying it has, just saying, with a used vehicle, sometimes you are at the mercy of fate...

Yup,I have seen some real lemons bought at carmax. I service a few car hauler rigs that pick up and drop off for them many stories lol

 

[Wingate]

yeah. . i know of a late model Durango that was patched and immediately sold outright to Carmax... .

 

[BIGNASTY]

I dont know for sure but cant the dealer or a shop tell if its EVER had a tuner box on it? I know they say that some of them leave no footprint but I JUST DONT BUY THAT!!! Someone could put a box on it blow it up take the box off and take it to Dodge and say I DONT KNOW WHAT HAPPEN

 

[LFalconer]

Thanks for all the replies.

It is a CarMax warranty - FWIW we have bought a few vehicles at Carmax and been fortunate. When you move as many cars as they do, I'm sure a few get through. I'll update you'll after it goes in.

Stock Cummins failure do seem uncommon, when you start playing the HP and TQ game, different story...

Thanks, Luke

 

[AH64ID]

My neighbors 07 was dripping coolant overnight on cold nights so I went over and looked at it with him yesterday. It was very hard to tell, but it was coming form the coupler behind the turbo.

I was thinking of this thread and I finally realized why a head gasket didn't sound right, the head gasket is physically lower than the coupler behind the turbo. So if it's higher on the block it's either a pipe plug that has come loose, or a cracked block. My bet is a pipe plug.

 

[LFalconer]

Here is the report after repair. The pipe plugs were leaking on the Pass side, which accounted for the coolant by the head gasket area, the small hose by the turbo area was also leaking.

Carmax fixed the problems, and then let the truck sit with the coolant system pressurized overnite to ensure it was done correctly.

Back to driving it again, after the last 4 days, no coolant loss or leaks!

Luke

 

[MChrist]

It's good to hear that nobody had to take the head off. I am suspicious about BOTH the coolant hose and pipe plugs were leaking at the same time. The coolant hose is a very common problem. In fact, it happens to my '06 every winter. Just last week, mine leaked after having the block heater plugged in for 6 hours, and it seemed like it actually sprayed onto the block, looking like it was coming from the head.
Either way, I think you and your engine are better off not having the head removed, unless it's by a good diesel mechanic that has done it dozens of times before, and are upgrading to ARP head studs.
Happy trails!