Hey guys, I was driving my 98 Dak the other day and the check gauges light came on. I looked and it was running hot. So I pulled over put in some coolant and waited about 10 minutes. Started the truck and the temp went back down to 210. So I took off and the temp only fluctuated 15 to 20 degrees. But the all of a sudden it knocked like two or three times then shut off and steam started pouring out from under the hood. Upon further investigation looked at my tailgate and there was coolant sprayed all over it.
It was about midnight when this happend so I left it over night. Came back the next afternoon and pulled it home, let it sit for a day or so and tried to start it. It wouldnt turn over, but if you pressed on the gas it would start but not idle and some black smoke rolls outta the exhaust pipe. got pissed and let it sit a couple more days and it starts up runs fine and idles like nothing happened. I was talking to some Dodge buddies of mine and they said that it could be a broken intake gasket. If I replace that and it doesnt help its gotta be something with my heads.

So I thought i'd see what you guys thought it could be. because im kinda at a loss right now. Any ideas or thoughts would be greatly appriciated.


Thanks,
Devin

 

Where does it look like the coolant is coming from. It could be a head gasket...

 

All I wouldn't really tell you. Because when i looked the engine was dry and couldn't find a wet spot on it but there was a puddle of coolant under the engine compartment

 

drain the oil and look at it. if it looks discolored it probably has coolant in it. Youve more than likely blew a head gasket or cracked a head when it overheated.

 

Could be water pump to 5.2 5.9 are known for it.

 

check freeze plugs and timing cover coulda blew a gasket there too

 

Sounds like what happened to a Buick that I used to have, cracked head.

You have a bad head gasket or cracked head. The reason it won't turn over is that a cylinder (or more) have water in them. Pull plugs and it will spit cooland out of the spark plug holes.

No easy fix. Will be some heavy duty wrenching.