Engine/Transmission (1994 - 1998) Help Please with 1995 blown headgasket

[jgreg]

I am not very knowledgeable and have been told by a Dodge dealer that I have a blown head gasket on my 1995 (250K). I am suspicious and would like to know if this is a reasonable possibility and for which symptoms I should look. Many thanks.

 

[BBeckmann]

Well, what my '97 did was had alot of blow by that i saw out the window at the station, When i got in the truck the temp gauge was almost pegged pulled hood release and noticed top radiator hose was very tight- had alot of pressure, and the overflow bottle was a lovely shade of black instead of clear. And when i did just barely crack the cap on the radiator with a rag black n green stuff oozed out. Other that that, ck for a lil water mist on ur hand by tailpipe... . after been runin awhile. And one more thing is it useing coolant?

 

[SRadke]

Why was it at the dealer to begin with? Symptoms?

Look for oil in the coolant, coolant in the oil, coolant level dropping, or coolant leaking externally on the engine.

 

[Dieseldemon]

Look under the stat hsg and look for tell tale signs of coolent leak

 

[hsmith]

As stated above, most common external leak is at the right front area of the head. Most times it is a small seepage that can be lived with for a long while. Oil-coolant contamination, different issue all together.

 

[RVPILOT]

head gasket

It is common for these 12 valves to start a leak near no 1 cyl, seepage is more like it. Mine did at about 500k, pulled head to repalce gasket as a precautionary measure, new head gasket , no issues with the innards and repalced the head and now with about 950,000 miles still going strong .

don't let the dealers scare you. stormy