So I am driving down the highway (1999 Dakota sport 4x4 5.2) and the mph's dropped about 5mph and then it became slugish and I pulled over and shut it off. Now it will not start.

Background: I have been burning oil and been putting in about a quart a month and it has been overheating but was only a little hot at the time the engine cut out.

The engine will turn over and is throwing no codes, Oil level is good, I tried pouring gas in the throttle body and it still wont crank. it has spark What are my next steps? Thanks for any help!

T

 

your probably blew your headgasket. is there oil in the coolant?

 

Thanks for the quick reply, I just pulled off the radiator cap and then a leak started, as far as I can tell its coming from the waterpump, its leaking down onto the damper. I didnt see any oil, just water and coolant. Where is the drain for the radiator so I can see if theres any oil in it? and what are you thoughts on the leak after I pulled the cap?

THANKS!

 

since you said you over heated, and your adding oil and burning it, i still be its the headgasket. not sure about the coolant leak. i think there is a petcock on the bottom of the radaitor somewhere. not sure exactly on the magnums.

 

ok, found the peacock but turning it did nothing, pulled the bottom hose and it drained out, not much in there at all! maybe a gallon (not sure how much is suppose to be in there) didnt see any oil in there but tons of dirt and grit. How can I tell for sure that the head gasket is blown? before I tear it all down?

 

compression test

 

For the petcock, you need to turn it and then pull it out slightly.

 

oh, I guess that would help...Thanks! Working on checking the compression now.

 

I never use the little drain valve I did at one time till a few just snapped off on me or would never close all the way so now I just pull the lower rad hose faster and no worry of a snapped off valve or a leaky valve.

Sounds like it needed a system flush.

You may have a half plugged rad by the sounds of what you say when you talk about all the grit that came out a new rad may be in order.

 

yea tried pulling petcock out wouldnt budge, just pulled hose.