Hello All,

I just found your forum and this thread. I've had similar issues as described, and now have at least a blown head gasket or warped heads.

Foamy white in the oil fill area, and coolant gueiser when the rad cap is off.

Shall I start asking questions on this thread or create a new one?

Looking at repairing myself (this time). Had the heads replaced at the dealer several years ago and its never been right (running hot in summer) since.

Ron

 

Welcome!

Let me move this to a new thread for you.

 

Well thanks.

As I get ready to tackle my trouble, is there a good repair manual. I've had chiltons for other vehicles, is there something better for the Durango? I've heard there is an O-fficial manual out there.
I'm thinking I have at least a head gasket to replace, but expect to replace the heads also. Is there any slick way to know the difference prior to tearing down the engine? I guess a compression test is in order before digging in.

your thoughts?

thanks for the help and thanks in advance for more!
Ron

 

Looks like this thread has been over looked.


Here is a trick:


First do a compression test. You can rent one from places like Auto Zone or other or even Harbor Freight has one for like $12. Write down the test psi numbers in order of cylinders.

If you find a low cylinder pour a couple of cap fulls of clean oil into the cylinder through the spark plug hole then redo the compression test on that cylinder. If it gets more psi then it's piston rings and you need a rebuild on the entire engine or at least the rings on that cylinder. If the numbers are the same or close then it's a head gasket, or valve.

Also you can also remove the oil plug VERY slowly and look for coolant after the truck has sat overnight. Oil floats on water so antifreeze will be the first to come out.

Also look at the antifreeze in the radiator to see if you have floating oil spots (Brown or Black).

Finally, look at the exhaust for steam out of the exhaust.


A little brown in the breather was a TSB on the 4.7L motor.

 

while the wife was driving "never showed hot" it died. When towed home it was out of coolant.
Later that day...
With the radiator cap off, start the engine (really tough to start), coolant gushes!!! out of the radiator... not runs out but gushes.
white-ish oily smudge in oil fill which got worse after running a minute or two.there is some h20 out of the exhaust.

Any suggestions on a manual? I've seen haynes mentioned and a couple pdf from you.

 

I like Chiltons or the service manual. When I get home I can look to see but I am sure the engine part is too big os a .pdf to post here. I could try to send it to you. PM me your internet address and I could email from my personal account.

 

Well, that will get me started. I'll try to keep progress reports.

Ron

 

Chilton has more Data but harder to find at the stores nowadays. Haynes is pretty good seems to have less data and more pictures. O-fficial manual can be found on ebay all the time. has all the data possible but most amateurs find all that extra information to be confusing and why not so popular with them.

Here I uploaded the engine section of the service manual to a file hosting site
http://www.filedropper.com/09engine

You will need a pdf reader in order to see it. If you don't have one you can find it here.
http://get.adobe.com/reader/

 

I guess I'll be getting both or all 3, since I'm currently an amateur .

Making room in the garage for the project this weekend so I won't be able to stall much longer.

 

So how is this project going?