Will the engine turn over at all? Sounds like you ran low on coolant for a little too long. If it doesn't turn over at all, it may be seized. Head gasket doesn't necessarily explain the loss of oil but they may be related.

 

I'd 2nd that thought!

 

I read your post bad luck. Sounds like your engine is roasted. If there isn't any water the temp gauge will not read. The leak under water pump is the problem hidden from sight.

 

Does your year truck have a crankshaft position sensor? On 01 Dakota's if that goes out.....the truck will not operate.....Period!!!

Just my two cents.

 

compression test gave me the following results. (sorry I did not get the cylinder #'s off the intake)
passenger side from front to back, 150psi, 0psi, 150psi, 0psi
drivers side from front to back 30psi, 35psi, 0psi, 0psi.

Does this mean I have bigger problems than a blown head gasket???

I could hear/feel the difference in the cylinders that had compression and the ones taht had little or none.

Thanks
T

and yes it turns over, also I should mention the spark plugs were all black and one was broken , also had grit/dirt (dont think it is metal) on the threads...

 

Just to throw this out here.
On the 5.2L Magnum the Water pump has a small leak hole that if the gasket goes on it will allow coolant to leak out. Its essentially a factory placed defect that if you pay attention helps you pinpoint a problem relatively easy.

And for the record oh my god your compression test scares me.

 

Just throwing this out there...it's a dead duck.

I'd just replace the motor at this point. If you have 4 cylinders with 0 compression there's little hope of saving it.

 

so I thought I read that, if you had zero compression it would be the head gasket, like on the drivers side I have 150,0,150,0 so that from google sounds like a head gasket, but on the other side 35,30,0,0. Just wanted to make sure its not the head gaskets before I get a new motor. Any advice on where to get a new or used motor?

Thanks for all the help!

also could the low compression #'s have anything to do with me not being able to start it up? this is my first time doing a compression test and the guide said to have the car warmed up...not possible in my case... (what I did was remove all spark plugs, disconnect coil, remove fuel pump fuse, open throttle full and crank 5 times)

 

ebay has yet to fail me and will always turn results. Plus you can more than likely find the engine for the same year, drivetrain, etc. so it matches right up with the transmission, computer, and such.

local junkyards or ads on craigslist if you want one cheappppp!

 

Well it could be your head gasket but if both sides have two cylinders with 0 compression you're going to have to do both. Head jobs are fairly intensive and while it would be cheaper initially I think buying a new lower milage motor would be cheaper in the long run. I've seen a head gasket fix in a bottle at auto parts stores and that might make a cheap fix but I am kinda weary of those types of fixes. Bottom line is that if you have about $2000 and some time I think a new motor is the way to go.