Sorry guys for re-posting this but I am where I can now veture into fixing the the problem and want to run a couple things by and have a good starting point. Its a 1999 Doge Ram 1500 2 wheel drive with the 318/ 5.2 motor.

As in the my last post from a while back I was loosing around a side container worth of water and I did notice it dripping off the harmonic balance but drips not a lot. Even though I kept the driving down to a minimum with taking my wife back and forth to work maybe 6 miles total. The radiator now is leaking on the lower driver side. Its raining so I didn't drop the oil for a second time to check if it has water in the oil even though it is still on the dip stick from the top to bottom. The last time I change the oil ( which was maybe around 100 miles max) It didn't show signs of and dis coloring. I have noticed now that my oil pressure gauge is dropping to zero at lights but doesn't tick or anything. Whats sad is I just replaced it maybe at the max a year ago so I see another new one soon. ( I have been letting it sit till today since I have to use it to get a tire for the truck I am driving now) anyway, I dont have any smoke coming out of the exhaust or water. My temp still runs as maybe 180 to 200. it never reaches the half way at 210 so I am guessing the tempt range. I have been told a couple of things to check as well as my head gaskets are failing or my timing cover. Let me ask this. Would it just be better to start with a compression check and go backwards from there? I'm thinking starting from the worse case and if its fine then start working my way back towards maybe a lesser problem? I am not going to tear anything down till I have a real good idea of whats the nature of the problem. The water pump is about 8 months old. it was changed because it was leaking. I am going to get a Haynes manual for I will need it fix it anyway. I already have a new thermostat that I bought thinking it was in need of being replaced. The truck has 133,000 miles on the motor. Since i had to drive it today, I left the radiator cap loose to take some of the pressure off since I am going to have to replace the radiator that is a month past its year warranty. Like I said. This isn't a new thread but I was on idle waiting for my income tax to start so I couldnt find my old thrad and started this one. The only reason I find myself questioning the head gasket is that I dont seem to have the symptoms with the smoke or water coming out of the tail pipe but that isn't a for sure sign either. I have to remove the radiator and find that leak too so the compressor and alternator are going to have to come off to see where my leak up front of the motor is . I can smell it and thats coolant smell. What you guys think? I'm all ears. I just want to make sure I find the right problem and not waste money changing out things I dont have to.

 

Fix the radiator first.

Find out where the coolant is coming from dripping off the balancer. Sounds like maybe a bad pump.... I know you recently replaced it.... but, stranger things have happened. Eliminate the easy stuff first....

Evidence of water on the dipstick is NOT a good sign. Pull a valve cover, and have a look under there. If those are clean, and look the way they are supposed to...... May just need to drop the pan, and clean things out good.

Oil pressure dropping to zero is bad. Have you replaced the oil pump? What about the sending unit? Might wanna put a mechanical gauge on it, and see what is REALLY happening. What about oil level? Is that ok? Have you fixed your plenum yet?

 

Thanks for the response. I replaced the oil pump maybe about a yeah and half ago when it was doing the same thing. I would stop at a light and it would drop to zero but no noises or clicking. I was told it was a weak pump. Sensor was replaced I'm thinking two years ago.

Have you fixed your plenum yet? No. I just started to read up on this but never heard anything about it till today. What I have read as symptoms. I don't believe I have yet. Maybe you can tell me more about it?

I did pick up a compression tester thinking it may help me as well. I just don't want to start tearing anything down till I am very sure of whats going on. I already have to replace the radiator so checking the water pump is not a problem. I want to remove the everything to check that hose on the water-pump you spoke about last time. The exterior things I dont mind checking but before I remove the intake, I want to be sure. As to the valve cover. That`s easy as in terms of checking. I value your opinions since most of you have been where I haven't so experience goes a long way. Sorry I couldn't give you guys a oil report. unfortunately, Its been raining on and off so I havent had a chance to drop the oil again and see if its changed from the last time when I didn't find any oil in the pan.

I will be on here more since now I have the cash to start the process and hopefully get her back on the road in great condition again.

Again, I apologize for having to do a re post.

Thanks,
Steve

 

When you pull it apart, carefully check the gasket along the timing chain cover where it meets the block. My 02 dakota with the 5.9 developed a leak and it looked like it was coming from the pump until we tore it down and discover the bad gasket. If that gasket fails it will sometimes leak down the inside of the cover and into the pan that way.

FWIW.

 

pull the spark plugs out and look at them see if there wet

 

I suggest replacing the gasket on your water pump and timing chain cover. and while you're at it, save some money and time by replacing the chain aswell.