Engine/Transmission (1998.5 - 2002) Nead help ASAP!!

[Fear This: Cummins!!]

Here it goes. . 2001 HO 6speed has never had a problem from day 1. Went to change the oil Sat. and discovered the plastic antifreeze tank was slightly below the "low" level. Not Good. Now at 93,300 miles I noticed a very slow leak coming from where appears to be the mating surface of the Exhaust manifold and the head gasket. Not Good!! It is in the right front corner of the motor directly below where the altenator bracket that is a few inches wide, attaches over to the exhaust manifold. I have a friend who is a CAT mechanic who I discussed it with and he seems to remember Cummins having problems with the head cracking in that area if he remembers right. Any thoughts and advice would be appreciated. I really need this truck to go till June 6th or so.

Am I safe to run it? I believe it is the Head gasket, but after taking the pics from below I am wondering about the thermostat housing!



P. S. In the pictures where I put the camera down by the radiator looking up It almost looks like the antifreeze could be running down from the underside of the thermostat housing??

 

[Mactruck]

What is your Block Serial Number?

It is located on the drivers side above and forward of the vp44

Does it start with 53?

 

[blacksheepdiesel]

Looks like a head gasket to me. My '01 has 495,000 mi and the last 200,000 have been with a slight weep in the same area. Just keep an eye on the coolant level and the eng coolant temp gauge. When you do the head also pull the radiator and clean it as well.



Trent

 

[Fear This: Cummins!!]

I see two #'s. One starts with 53 and the other with 56.

 

[Fear This: Cummins!!]

What about a stop leak??

 

[Cummins Thunder]

NO STOP LEAK!!!!!



Seems like a head gasket to me.





CJ

 

[Fear This: Cummins!!]

Nothing but a poweredge EZ

 

[Fear This: Cummins!!]

Any chance that Cummins would foot the bill. Only 93,300 miles on the girl, but is seven months out of warranty. (October of '05)

 

[jjordan1]

I think the 5 years starts from the date of purchase.

 

[ata]

In the second and thrid picture I see a yellow streak coming down above the head- block mating surface. Are you sure the leak is not coming down from the thermostat housing or the Radiator hose. And the running along the mating surface crack.