Please help diagnose...dakota just died and wont start,and boss is pissed
Record Breaker
Joined: Feb 2008
Posts: 1,058
Likes: 7
From: Chicago, IL
I had my 3.9 blow a head gasket. My reservoir was overfull while my radiator was empty. Heads weren't warped but I never let it overheat. Oil was milky. You should see excessive steam from the tail pipe.
It is a long repair, not terribly hard, just time consuming. I'd say my first time would have taken me 2 days, now I could do it in less than one.
I had no visible leaks outside the engine, everything was contained inside a piston. Worst thing you can do right now is start the engine with a cylinder full of fluid. The best way to check on the side of the road, if you have anything left in the truck, is to pull the spark plugs, crank the engine, and see if coolant squirts from a cylinder.
From your description, I'd say you have a blown head gasket.
It is a long repair, not terribly hard, just time consuming. I'd say my first time would have taken me 2 days, now I could do it in less than one.
I had no visible leaks outside the engine, everything was contained inside a piston. Worst thing you can do right now is start the engine with a cylinder full of fluid. The best way to check on the side of the road, if you have anything left in the truck, is to pull the spark plugs, crank the engine, and see if coolant squirts from a cylinder.
From your description, I'd say you have a blown head gasket.
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Registered User
Joined: Feb 2011
Posts: 7
Likes: 0
I had my 3.9 blow a head gasket. My reservoir was overfull while my radiator was empty. Heads weren't warped but I never let it overheat. Oil was milky. You should see excessive steam from the tail pipe.
It is a long repair, not terribly hard, just time consuming. I'd say my first time would have taken me 2 days, now I could do it in less than one.
I had no visible leaks outside the engine, everything was contained inside a piston. Worst thing you can do right now is start the engine with a cylinder full of fluid. The best way to check on the side of the road, if you have anything left in the truck, is to pull the spark plugs, crank the engine, and see if coolant squirts from a cylinder.
From your description, I'd say you have a blown head gasket.
It is a long repair, not terribly hard, just time consuming. I'd say my first time would have taken me 2 days, now I could do it in less than one.
I had no visible leaks outside the engine, everything was contained inside a piston. Worst thing you can do right now is start the engine with a cylinder full of fluid. The best way to check on the side of the road, if you have anything left in the truck, is to pull the spark plugs, crank the engine, and see if coolant squirts from a cylinder.
From your description, I'd say you have a blown head gasket.
Hey DB ,and everyone,I ran down to check it out and there was no milky discoloration in the oil...so that got me wondering if I may be able to at least get it home,and it started right up.
How in the hell do I sit there for a half hour,trying every five minutes or so to start it and nothing...then a few hours later it starts right up?
Anyway I took it home and just as I pull in the belt stops chirping almost completely.This thing was loud before,and it suddenly calmed down,then came back right before I shut it down.Waited a few minutes,tried to turn it over again,and nothing...no fire.
I got out to check for leaks,seen the radiator was still full,but there was indeed a steady drip coming from the bottom pulley of the serpentine belt ...lol that shows my knowledge of where everything is on that belt system...but the one directly at the bottom.It dripped about every 5 seconds,it was green so couldnt have been snow melting.
heres a picture from the ground lookin up at it.Took it with a camcorder so may be hard to see.Its the tiny yellow looking spot a couple inches behind the belt.
Veteran
Joined: Sep 2008
Posts: 344
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I'm betting water pump then. The water pump is directly above the crank pulley so it can look like it's coming from there. A faulty pum would also explain the issues with it overheating and the heater cutting on and off. A new one runs about $300 and then labor if you don't do it yourself but it isn't too hard of a job if you ask me about 6 hours or so.
Section Moderator
Joined: Dec 2010
Posts: 4,858
Likes: 47
From: MA
I'm betting water pump too, for the leak. Not saying he didn't blow a head gasket from running it low on coolant but start with the obvious.
A few drops of antifreeze will go everywhere. Check the weep hole on the pump.
A few drops of antifreeze will go everywhere. Check the weep hole on the pump.
