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Scott
Dodge Dakota
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8/14/2003
09:41:27
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 Subject: Blown Head Gasket?
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While driving home last night I was sitting at a light and when I took off my check gauges light came on and the temperature gauge rose up pretty quickly and then came right back down about 4-5 seconds later. It did this twice. I checked the coolant level when I got home and it was a little on the high side and I could see a few splashes where the radiator had spiller over. I checked my oil and no antifreeze contamination, and no white smoke when I started it up this morning. I have a 180 thermostat installed, but it has been working fine for the last few weeks. The symptoms were as if the thermostat got hung up and then popped open, however I know that is unlikely.
It was fine this morning on my way to work. From previous posts it appears that I may have a small leak from the combustion chamber that is blowing air into a water jacket and creating a air pocket in the cooling system?
I am running 10 psi bost, so I know the head gasket is a weak point.
So, what to do next?
I figure I am in store for a head gasket change. How long does this typically take on a Dakota? Also, since I am running boost I assume my best route is to get the heads o-ringed? Should I get the stock heads o-ringed (360 quad cab), or should I get a set of R/T heads, or the heads that KRC offers (which seem pricey compared to the Chevy heads I am used to dealing with).
I will also be putting on 1.7 roller rockers when I replace the gaskets. Anything else I am missing or should consider? How much boost will an o-ringed head handle safely (I do NOT want to change head gaskets on a routine basis).
Scott
PS. Anyone in the Cleveland area want to help?
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MikeD
*R/T*
8/14/2003
10:21:12
|  RE: Blown Head Gasket?
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First off R/T heads would be the best way to go if you want maximum air flow (they outflow the stock heads majorly) if you have a supercharger, I'd get the SC heads from KRC, yes they are pricey compared to Chevy but its more expensive to mod these Mopars.
KRC has the O-ring option when you purchase them.
On the gasket issue...get some Cometic head gaskets, those are the thin metal gaskets that alot of the SC guys are using they seem to love em. Also I'd get some ARP head bolts those are the best you can buy and are strong for boost.
Hope this helps.
Later!
~Mike~
Get In...Sit Down...Shutup...& Hangon
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IntenseDak39
*GenIII*
8/14/2003
10:48:17
| RE: Blown Head Gasket?
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both times i blew a head gasket i didnt show any of the normal oil in coolant or vice versa.
Pull your sparkplugs out and check them for a kinda white corrosion or flake
1998 Regular Cab V6 Auto
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Scott
Dodge Dakota
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8/14/2003
11:05:52
| RE: Blown Head Gasket?
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I have an water/alcohol injection system, so I would expect the plugs to look clean either way.
What gaskets are you using now? Do you have o-ringed heads? What boost PSI?
Scott
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IntenseDak39
*GenIII*
8/14/2003
11:08:22
| RE: Blown Head Gasket?
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i was running stock gaskets with about 8# boost... poor fuel management let to my blown gaskets.
run your truck to operating temperature and put a pressure testor on your radiator and check it and see how it holds pressure
1998 Regular Cab V6 Auto
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MikeD
*R/T*
8/14/2003
11:44:00
| RE: Blown Head Gasket?
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Ahh...the joys of being naturally aspirated :)
~Mike~
Get In...Sit Down...Shutup...& Hangon
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Scott
Dodge Dakota
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8/15/2003
09:25:31
| RE: Blown Head Gasket?
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I'm not too certain it is my headgasket. Question: How tight should the fan clutch lock up when it is hot? Mine had a little resistance when spinning it when hot, but not that much more than when it was cool. I'm thinking it could be my clutch fan not engaging completely. I have no problems on the highway.
Scott
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Lello
Dodge Dakota
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8/16/2003
00:24:02
|  RE: Blown Head Gasket?
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Sounds like a blown head gasket. Coolant boiling out, stiff upper rad hose when engine warm and cooling system pressurized???...........Yup, that's my guess. Don't let it get you down, put good gaskets in
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dj
Dodge Dakota
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8/16/2003
07:42:21
| RE: Blown Head Gasket?
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Smells like head gasket toast
in here!
"More boost Scotty"
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Scott
Dodge Dakota
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8/16/2003
13:27:25
|  RE: Blown Head Gasket?
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I took my truck to the local radiator shop and
they did a combustibles test on the coolant to
indicate a blown head gasket. Test came
back negative. Also, when the temp gauge
starts to peak if I put it in 2nd gear and pull the
rpm's up the temp backs down (even though
the higher rpm's are adding more heat). I
really think it is the clutch on the fan. At an idle
you can see it is not turning the same rpm as
the pulley and looks weak (for the lack of a
better term at the momment). Also, it is just
fine on the highway.
Scott
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TECH
Dodge Dakota
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8/17/2003
09:09:43
| RE: Blown Head Gasket?
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The fan will not get hot unless the radiator gets hot. It needs to pull HOT air from across the radiator to make the viscous coupling tighten up and spin the fan faster.
It your thermostat is not opening all the way, say it's stuck halfway open, there will be reduced flow into the radiator, and the heat likely will not be as high, causing the fan to spin slower.
When you rev the engine higher, you are increasing the flow past the thermostat simply by spinning the pump faster, which counteracts the stat being partially closed.
This is just something to CHECK, don't take my word as being what your problem is....
I've seen stats go bad before, sometimes the engine will run a normal temp, other times it would get hot.
Either way, a stat or fan is much cheaper and easier than a head gasket, to fix.
I was going to mention the combustibles test, but you've done it already. That's a good test to do.
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Scott
Dodge Dakota
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8/17/2003
12:22:05
| RE: Blown Head Gasket?
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TECH, thanks for your reply! The fan is still moving and hot air is going through it and the fan was pretty darn hot. See any reason I couldn't unplug the A/C clutch and use the A/C control to turn on the electric fan? Just some added cooling until I get to the dealer?
Scott
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TECH
Dodge Dakota
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8/17/2003
22:59:37
| RE: Blown Head Gasket?
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Why not leave the compressor hooked up? If running the ac makes the engine run hot, and the electric fan IS working, I'd suspect something besides the fan clutch-although that may be a contributor. Usually, the electric fan alone cools the engine just fine.
Anyway, if you disconnect the clutch, I'm not sure if the fan will kick on anyway...it might. It's probably run off an ac system pressure switch, so you need to build up ac line pressure to get the fan to kick on....which you can't without running the ac....it might though, give it a try.
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Scott
Dodge Dakota
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8/18/2003
08:53:32
| RE: Blown Head Gasket?
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I just figured having the ability to turn on the A/C fan without the added heat of the A/c compressor/condenser would be a good route. The fan does turn on even without the compressor hooked up.
Scott
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Scott
Dodge Dakota
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8/18/2003
12:17:27
|  RE: Blown Head Gasket?
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Just an update, I called the dealership and they are out picking up a new clutch for the fan. I'll post an update later on to confirm the problem is solved. Thanks to all who replied!
Scott
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Scott
Dodge Dakota
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9/04/2003
15:05:00
| RE: Blown Head Gasket?
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Hey TECH, could you e-mail me? ssande@cox.net
Have a few questions for you if you wouldn't mind.
Scott
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Wally
Dodge Dakota
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11/21/2003
12:17:47
| RE: Blown Head Gasket?
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Scott, I've been having similar problems with my 4.7. Think it may be due to air in the system. did you have this problem before changing the T-stat? I replaced my wimpy radiator with the one for the 360. First few trips pulling my boat all was fine. Then I started loosing coolant. Funny thing was it wouldn't happen until I was going down hill. I could pull up the 9% grade just fine with boat in tow. Once over the top the contracting coolant should pull what's been dumped into the overflow back into the radiator. That isn't happening. T-stat is on the inlet side to the engine (???) not sure how that's supposed to work. Level drops enough that the water pump cavitates (again the radiator cold side connection is near the top???). Next thing I know I'm smoking hot and blowind coolant all over the side of the truck. Touch the radiator and it's cold because there is no water in it. The "Air Bleed" port has me thinking the system is very sensitive to trapped air. I've checked for CO in the water and all shows negative. I'm sort of stumped on this one. Not real thrilled about the system design but it worked with the small radiator. The reason for the change out was every time I'd hit the 9% grades the engine would go to maximum temperature turning on the "check gauges light" just as the fan clutch would kick in and cool it down. Hate running seals and gaskets that hot. Dealer's responce was it's not loosing coolant so it's working fine. I'm real close to trading it in but I don't like the looks of the new Durango.
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Luke
Dodge Dakota
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1/31/2004
22:23:39
| RE: Blown Head Gasket?
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My 94 318 V8 had been overheated and the rediator blew while in the snow, possibly because of the fan being stopped by snow, not quite sure but the top of the plastic rediator blew off. Now with a new radiator it bubbles out and wont fill with antifreeze, blows it out the radiator sometimes even. If I leave it idle it runs at a steady temp. with heater working fine, but once I drive and get up to about 3rd gear it starts raising the temp. and soon it overheats filling the top radiator hose with hot air and killing the heater. It does this consistantly.
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Greg
Dodge Dakota
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2/01/2004
21:36:29
| RE: Blown Head Gasket?
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Have any of yall ever had your cooling system pumped to get out excess air??? A lot of street rodders have this problem due to air in the water pump and once it's in there, there's no way of getting it out unless you have it pressurrized and pumped out with an electric pump:))
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julie
Dodge Dakota
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6/28/2010
16:02:48
| RE: Blown Head Gasket?
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k so yes i am a girl ... i drive a 94 dodge dakota .. i blew my radiator and my head gaskets ..i was just trying to figure out how in the world do i take it all apart to fix it...if you know any websites plz let me know..thank you so much
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yea
Dodge Dakota
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6/28/2010
19:53:29
| RE: Blown Head Gasket?
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Sign up for an account at autozone.com it's free.
You then sign in and have access to online repair
manuals. (with pictures)
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