Head Gasket

[TDEvans]

Hi guys I got a 2012 Ram 3500 with a 6.7. Last trip out truck was running hot under a heavy load (trailer weights 18000) climbing some pretty steep grades, the fan is kicking when it is suppose to, at a shop right now and they think it's a head gasket. It's not using anti-freeze, and oil looks good, is there any other signs that it might be a head gasket, running on level ground with the trailer no problems, any suggestions are much appreciated, also quote to fix was over $5 grand. thanks Terry

 

[sag2]

If the truck is stock it is very unlikely it is the head gasket. If it isn't using coolant I would be more inclined to think plugged radiator, thermostat, or fan. Although you say fan is operating does it roar when coolant temp hits 218° -220°? And how hot is hot?

 

[Grumpy8811]

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[Grumpy8811]

how hot is it running? 225F is the bottom end of hot... I've seen 225F climbing some mountains pulling my 5th wheel in the summer.. have seen steady 205F on the flats when ambients are around 100F... I just see if it starts cooling down by itself once the really tough climbing is out of the way, if it does it isn't something to really worry about. Now if it stays really Hot all the time it is another thing.

only other thing worth mentioning is if the coolant is old, it might be time to consider flushing the cooling system and sticking a new 190F thermostat in there.

 

[TDEvans]

If the truck is stock it is very unlikely it is the head gasket. If it isn't using coolant I would be more inclined to think plugged radiator, thermostat, or fan. Although you say fan is operating does it roar when coolant temp hits 218° -220°? And how hot is hot?

If the truck is stock it is very unlikely it is the head gasket. If it isn't using coolant I would be more inclined to think plugged radiator, thermostat, or fan. Although you say fan is operating does it roar when coolant temp hits 218° -220°? And how hot is hot?

Hi

 

[TDEvans]

Hi,sag2, yes truck is stock, 2012 with 153,000 miles, when fan cones on about 217, 218 degrees yes it is roaring you know the fan is on, and it is staying on untill it cools back down to 217 degrees, the highest it climbed to was 230. Ihad the coolant replaced at about 80,000,Right after that I lost a water pump,and they replaced the thermostat at that time. thanks Sag2

 

[Topzide]

How many years ago was the pump and thermostat done? Were they Cummins parts? Did you lock out upper gears when towing the grades to keep rpm's up? I'm with @sag2, that a stock truck would need a head gasket at this time. Need to dig into it a bit further to find out.
Also, update your signature line with your truck info. It will help with any future questions that you might ask.

 

[Joseph Donnelly]

One simple thing to check is the external condition of the radiator on the inlet side especially. It could be partially plugged with bugs, dirt, etc. As noted above, a cheap aftermarket thermostat could be at fault also.

 

[Ozymandias]

One simple thing to check is the external condition of the radiator on the inlet side especially. It could be partially plugged with bugs, dirt, etc. As noted above, a cheap aftermarket thermostat could be at fault also.

That's what mine had, badly.

 

[Signal73]

By your description I don’t think your truck has any issues at all!

 

[Hoefler]

By your description I don’t think your truck has any issues at all!

I would agree. I have see 240* pulling grades with 18,000 in tow several times. Especialy when starting at the bottom and trying to come up to speed, and high ambient temps.

 

[Grumpy8811]

I would agree. I have see 240* pulling grades with 18,000 in tow several times. Especialy when starting at the bottom and trying to come up to speed, and high ambient temps.

exactly.. my RV is at least 13k.. I've seen 225F climbing Wolf Creek Pass this summer. didn't think too much of it except the engine is working pretty hard..

those sort of loaded operation things are a different scenario than traditional overheating or running HOT.. where you have a hi cooling system temps on relatively normal driving.. I think people need to take conditions into account.. especially when cooling system temps return to normal when regular road conditions return.

 

[Signal73]

If you had HG issue I’d suspect low coolant, coolant pushing out the overflow, dark murky coolant, oil in coolant, coolant in oil. How did your shop diagnose this?

 

[BigPapa]

This ain't your Grandad's 1st Gen where anything over 210* was too hot. Modern cooling systems are designed for higher temps as others have posted. I wouldn't freak out till I saw 225*+ and it didn't come back down.

 

[Diesel85]

This ain't your Grandad's 1st Gen where anything over 210* was too hot. Modern cooling systems are designed for higher temps as others have posted. I wouldn't freak out till I saw 225*+ and it didn't come back down.

I've seen temps as high as 242F on the work truck during the summer when it's a 100F pulling max weight up hills.

 

[sag2]

I have also seen temps in the mid 220's when towing my little 5,500 lb trailer in high ambients. The key takeaway is it always cools back down once you crest the hill.

 

[TDEvans]

Hi, guys update on my head gasket issue,talked to the mechanic yesterday,from the loss of coolant, the pressure test he ran on the water system, and the test from the radiator with the water turning green,they said it was a head gasket ,it's in the begining stages. so to prevent worst damage I am having the head gasket replaced, thanks guys for all the suggestions

 

[Cummins12V98]

I have also seen temps in the mid 220's when towing my little 5,500 lb trailer in high ambients. The key takeaway is it always cools back down once you crest the hill.

As a "wise man" once said "it can't hurt it's self".

 

[sag2]

Hi, guys update on my head gasket issue,talked to the mechanic yesterday,from the loss of coolant, the pressure test he ran on the water system, and the test from the radiator with the water turning green,they said it was a head gasket ,it's in the begining stages. so to prevent worst damage I am having the head gasket replaced, thanks guys for all the suggestions

I hope you are not really going to spend $5k to replace a head gasket. That is outrageous money for a fairly simple job. I'm still voting for a plugged radiator at worst.

 

[Joseph Donnelly]

I am in agreement with sag2. Beware the mechanic trying to pull you into spending a lot of money when the process isn't even likely to fix your problem. A "just beginning" head gasket issue that doesn't even result in noticeable loss of coolant is not going to cause high running coolant temperatures.