I have a 1998 ram 1500, with a 5.9 engine and 171,000 miles. I've been losing coolant for some time and just adding fluids as i need to. Ive replaced hoses and checked everything but cant locate a leak. I recently noticed milky buildup on my oil cap. so now I know there is water in my oil. Im thinkin its the head gasket, but I dont know, and theres no white smoke out of the exhaust. Can anyone help me out with this? Im new here, and could use a hand

 

it could be the two intake gaskets. I just did this kit on my 2000 1500 5.9L. I tore into it for the plenum but found the two intake gaskets on either sides were ripped letting coolant in to my engine. Not sure how to test the head gaskets without pulling it apart. This kit is above the heads and if its the head gaskets would need to be replaced anyway. So you might as well do this kit if the two runner gaskets(two identical gaskets in the photo of the link) are ok than its the head gaskets
http://www.hughesengines.com/Index/p...p?partid=27091

 

If youre not burning anything it at all through the exhaust it probably is one of the intake gaskets.

of course, it still could be a bad head gasket.

 

check your intake bolts,i had one that was aleady broke before i pulled my intake off,this will definatly cause your coolant issue...

 

Check your oil. What does it look like? Some moisture collection on the bottom of the oil cap is fairly normal.

 

yes i just did my intake plenum and the two front bolts were broken already and rusted all the away through due to two identical tears in the intake gaskets causing coolant to pool on those two front bolts. common occurrence i suppose

 

I do have some moisture under the oil cap, but not much. Im gunna have to check near the intake the, but I dont exactly know where you guys are talking about. If anyone has pics or anything that would really help.

 

The intake is under the air cleaner and throttle body. it looks like a barrel or keg. under that are water jackets on both sides running from front to back of the motor they tear and coolant doesn't flow into the designed water jackets but into the motor.
go to this thread and you will see the pics.

https://dodgeforum.com/forum/2nd-gen...lenum-kit.html

the first pick shows the water jackets. there is a gasket that goes on top of it and when they tear water gets in the motor. Also the two front bolts that hold the intake on are most likely rotted and broken already so be ready for that.