Engine/Transmission (1994 - 1998) Head Gasket Problems!

[C. Harlan]

Had problems with my heater, making strange noises, so I thought I would look at the coolant level. Open the cap, and find all the gunked up oil sludge on the cap! WHOA! NOT GOOD! So, I drain the radiator, fill it with water, run it till warm, and it looks as if it has cleaned up quite a bit... . checked the oil, and oil looks good, not milky. This is the headgasket, right?? I am sure some of y'all have faced these problems, so please help out and chime in!



-Chris-

 

[DSiemens]

If there was combustion gas escaping from the head gasket, you should see bubbles from the radiator when the rad cap is off. With the rad cap on, the upper rad hose will swell up and get hard.

Antifreeze in oil: pull the dipstick. Obviously, the oil level will be higher than normal. If you run the measuring end of the dipstick (the end with oil on it) through a lighted match, the water (if there is any) will pop. Kinda like putting water into a hot frying pan.

I would look at the thermostat housing to see if there is a leak there. That leak looks like it is coming from the stat housing, but it is from the head gasket.



Dan

 

[BPonci]

Some times you have to heat cycle the motor a couple of times to get any leaks to arise. Possible oil cooler core. Remember you have more oil pressure the coolant pressure. I have found that in some cases the leak being so small that coolant will not pass the oppisite direction with the motor off. Good Luck!

 

[C. Harlan]

Hopefully its not too bad... I am going to try to tear it down next weekend!

 

[Andy Redmond]

Ck. the oil cooler first. I changed one recently had perferations (sp) in the gaskets (on either side of the cooler body).



Many radiator shops can pressure test it for you (cooler).



You will need Cummins # 3942914 (cooler to block) and 3942915 (filter base to cooler) gaskets should you reuse you old cooler core. I like a bit of RTV on the threads of the cooler bolts too.



Good luck

Andy

 

[JWaters]

oil

I would look at the oil cooler to, I have replace a few of these and they cause just what you have. Check it or replace it before I would worrie about a head gasket, I have never had to replace a head gasket on a 5. 9 unless it was run hot.