Hi - I need help diagnosing some problems with my Truck -1997 Ram 2500 V10. I have noticed the smell of coolant over the past month off and on but thought little of it as there wasn't any coolant being used up from the bottle and the temp was running spot on. Yesterday I noticed coolant dripping from the engine block. At first I thought it was coming from the hose running into the intake manifold. No problem, drive it home keeping an eye on the temp gauge, and tighten the clamp. I also checked the oil and there was plenty. On the way home the engine started coughing and loosing power. Then the oil pressure pressure dropped, the red oil light came on and the engine died. Coolant wasn't gushing from the engine, it didn't overheat or display any other adverse conditions before this happened. In hindsite, the coolant may have been coming from the head gasket area, but I just want to make sure. The engine will not catch now, it just keeps turning over without starting. Other than that, there are no other adverse signs. Do these symptoms point in any direction? Is it the head gasket causing the problem? Please help. Thanks for the help! James

 

Do a compression test! And screw in a manual oil pressure gauge while you are doing the compression test.

 

Ok, you caught me -- I am new to this. How do I do a compression test? Is there a link somewheres -- I can't seem to find one. Much obliged - James

 

go to Advanced or Autozone or any parts store.. buy a compression gauge.. it screws into the spark plug holes and when you turn the engine over it will register an amout of compression on the gauge. do each cylinder.. see if something has blown.. gasket, valve, or head itself.

An engine in decent shape will have slightly varying comprtession in all the cylinders.. but usually not more than like 12- 15 % I think..

Also.. did you check the oil? Is there any anti-freeze mixed in it? The red oil light could have registered a loss of oil pressure? ( oil pump? clogged oil filter? ) Just some suggestions

 

I hate to be the pessimist (did I spell that right, pessimest?) Bearer of bad news. It sounds like you blew a head gasket. Check your oil. IF you have coolant in the oil a head gasket for sure. Also do the compression test. FOLLOW THE INSTRUCTIONS.

While your at the auto parts buy a Cliton or Hayes manual. What you save on one repair will pay for the book many times.

Jeff