Hi guys, I just joined and I need some help. I have 95 ram with the 360 that I got for $2700. The previous owner had the new heads, headgaskets, intake gaskets and bolts put on it. Well, now I have a leak 4000 miles later. It isn't bad enough to leave any oil on the pavement ,but the front of the transmission is moist on top and bottom. Plus, if you crawl up under the truck with a light, you can see that on the rear, passenger side, the first inch of the head/block seam is moist with oil. But, the transmission is moist on top where it meets the engine on that side. So I guess my question is, could it be something leaking above the headgasket (intake gaskets etc.) that just happens to follow the head/block seem for the first inch or so. Or is it most definitely an external headgasket leak? Also, if it is an external leak on the headgasket, since it is so minor, would it be something to worry about or will it run for long time before it gets too bad? Okay, so now for the ticks. Lol sorry for so many questions. So, well my truck started making this ticking noise all of a sudden. It's on
both sides by the valve covers and back, or that's how it appears. If you touch a long metal screwdriver and listen through the handle you can hear the ticks in the intake manifold. It's there from first startup all the way until I park it. As you rev up, it doesn't seem to get worse. The left side tick seems to disappear for a day or two and then reappear again every once in awhile, but the right side is always there. I know its not a rod knock and its from the top end. Its quiet. You cant here it if the hoods down unless you stick your head over the hood or right next to it. It sort of sounds like moderately fast click or tick, it doesn't sound like a knock. It ticks more than 1 time a second. A friend said it might be bad lifters or bent pushrods. If it is bad lifters or push rods, is there a self diagnostic I can do at home to see if it is one of them? Also, how hard would it be for a 16 year old boy to fix the leak and lifters that doesn't know much about mechanics? Could it be done in a weekend if I already had all the parts and tools needed? Any ideas? Also, if I take it to a private shop, do you think both problems could be fixed for under $1200? I live in a rural area and we have low labor rates lol. Here is a video I took of it tonight, after the truck was fully warmed up. . Thanks in advance! This is a nice website.

 

There isn't any pressurized oil flowing thru the head. Probably a valve cover gasket, or, the gasket at the back of the intake manifold is leaking.

 

Sorry, I didn't realize that, haha like I said I don't really know much about mechanics. So, say that it's coolant, even though it looks light brown. Is it a problem that needs addressed right away or is it something that I can get two years out of until it gets too bad? Thanks.

 

Check and see what it really is. If it's oil, its prolly just a minor leak somewhere, if its coolant, you want to address that as quickly as possible. See if you can find the actual source. (yeah, I know, trying to see behind the intake is an exercise for a yoga master....)

Oh, and: Welcome to DF!

 

Alrighty, I went and looked and the fluid in the head block seam about has to be oil because it's a honeyish-clearish-brownish color and its not green or it doesn't have a greenish tint. Unless my green coolant somehow turned honey to light brown colored haha.

 

The ticking your hearing on each side of the intake is the fuel injectors, its normal.


If the heads were replaced 4000 miles ago, it would be a good idea to have the heads re-torqued because new head gaskets do settle in a little, and its always a good idea after a few thousand miles to re-torque the heads. It would probably be a good idea to replace the valve cover gaskets with a good quality set of gaskets.