Engine/Transmission (1994 - 1998) mite be a leaking head gasket

[grass hopper]

i have a 95 ctd with 300,000 on the ticker. i have been seeing what look's to be water or oil or both rite around the #1 piston / thermostat housing and at 2500 RPM's it starts making a slite noise like compressed air could i have a blow-en head gasket? i do have to add water to the res about 1QT every month.

 

[Timgibson]

yes you have a leaking head gasket. gitterdone!

 

[grass hopper]

is it hard to do. I have a shop but i have never pulled a head off of a diesel before.

 

[DSiemens]

Yes it is kinda hard, BUT it depends on your determination and mechanical ability. I did it about 3 weeks ago. I used a engine crane to lift and install the head. Cleaning the surfaces took a long time. There is lots of info on this site on changing head gaskets.

 

[grass hopper]

thanks i will look it up.

I was hoping it was not a head gasket. I have been seeing a drop in power lately.

 

[PUMPERDUDE]

It is very common for the head gaskets to leak externally right where you described. Mine leaked there for a year or two before I fixed it. I'm not sure if that hissing sound is your headgasket though. If it was blowing that bad I think you'd be losing way more water... ... ..... Check and see if one of your intercooler hoses may be leaking. That would explain the hissing and the loss in power. Good luck.

 

[grass hopper]

well thats good news on the time. i will check the intercooler hoses. thanks