Leaking head gasket. Help!

[LWilliams]

I have been putting up with a leaking head gasket now for almost a year and as I expected it is getting worse. I am fairly mechanically inclined but I don't think this is something I want to tackle. Farm tractors is one thing but I depend on this truck to get me there and back. There is a Cummins shop here that works on the big rigs and will do mine but I will have to pay shop prices. I don't know anyone that will do the work in their own shop or on weekends. I have 140k on the truck and plan to keep it forever so I want it fixed right. I live in east Texas and would go to someone fairly close if they came highly recommended. Any suggestions?

 

[cumminsgetme]

Chris Strickland (Strick-9) just finished putting his new ported head on. I was there to help him with the job (as removing the is a two man job... . heavy). We were able to get the head off in an hour and a half. I'm leaving for Pahrump,NV tommorrow but will be back around Dec 18th. Chris is meeting me in Pahrump and will be coming back at the same time. If you would like some help let us know. Where is Beckville??

 

[danandamy]

symptoms........

I know some folks have the head gasket leaking outside but what are some of the internal leaking symptoms? I suspect my wife's Ram may be starting to show signs of a slight leak internally. I notice it idles rougher than it used to and seems to be losing water. Not much water, the jug goes empty about every two months. No signs of leakage anywhere on the outside of the engine, no water in oil or vise versa. Other than that, the truck still runs as good as ever and doesn't overheat or anything.

One last question, when pulling the head, how much of the front gear case do you have to remove? Do you have to pull the inj. pump or no? Access looks fairly easy if you don't have to get too involved in pulling too much off the front.



Dan

 

[Andy Redmond]

Check your front engine mount/ lift hook/ and thermostat. Often a seep will drip down the front of the engine, mimicking a leaky head gasket. Also the water pump drain hole can weep causing a coolant leak. This can explain the mystery coolant loss.



Finally the ole head gasket can leak too.

 

[sewman]

Dan,

No you leave the frontcase & pump alone when pulling the head.

Get a manual it's fairly easy job,you'll need a helper to lift it off though it weighs 190lbs

Bob

 

[Joseph Donnelly]

Awww, cummon Bob, the head is only about 150 lb. One man job for me [I use a cherry picker aka engine hoist] The 24 valve head is heavier than the correctly valved head

 

[danandamy]

Joe read my mind. The cherry picker is in the garage and was what I was thinking about using. I would definitly get a manual, have to have all the right torque specs and sequence etc. . Whether or not I would have to pull the front gear case stuff off was my biggest concern. Still would like to be 100% sure that it's actually leaking. Like I said, don't see any coolant leaking on the outside but it has to be going somewhere... .

 

[LWilliams]

Ok guys, I have talked to several places here locally and have found an independent shop that was recommended by the Cummins dealer. The owner of the shop used to work for the Cummins place and is a certified Cummins mechanic. He says he will replace the headgasket, parts and labor for between $500 to $600. He was very knowledgable about the B-series, obvoiusly, and also about all the ways to turn up the hp and change the torque plate. After talking to him I am comfortable letting him do the work. What gasket do I need to put back on? Standard? Marine? I have a #11 torque plate in the pump and that is all I have done to up the hp. Is this price range about right for the job? Thanks.

 

[sewman]

Well the last time I used my "cherry picker" I bent a leg on it causing my newly bought Bridgeport vertical mill to become horizontal. I should quit being lazy & fix it & go in the Cummins Head Gasket R&R biz . If I could only line up 2-3 a week ,maybe I could get a bigger turbo,Mystery CAM,bigger... ... ..... better... ... . more power, less smoke. Yeah!!!

Bob