Well guys its me again with my lemon of a dodge that i have..Here's whats wrong now, i got a cracked radiator the other day and my truck over heated on the highway, well i got water in it and what not and started it back up after a long sitting session waiting for the road rangers and when i started it up i noticed a knocking like sound coming from the motor almost sounds like an exhaust manifold leak, now at first i thought it was the head gasket but i checked the oil and no water in there so thats a good sign, so what i was thinking is if that head can get so damn hot that maybe it can warp a little and blow a manifold gasket? Try to help me out guys it would be greatly appreciated. Oh and by the way the truck still has all of its power too, nothing has changed. Thanks guys!

 

change the oil before you even start it again,what happen is you cooked the oil,happen to me a long time ago tried to nurse the car home an never made it,it blew up,so change the oil cross your fingers an hope its not to late

 

It's been my experience that a cracked radiator is a symptom of overheating and often not the cause. You may have a bad thermostat or water pump.

 

never knew this but makes perfect sense....

 

Thank you for your help guys but come to find out its only a head gasket.

 

The sequence of events here, was more then likely, the headgasket went first. It pumps pressure (compression ring goes bad on the gasket due to rust or a warped head) into the water jacket, and that's how the rad cracked. That pressure (air) also helps with causing the overheat by adding air to the cooling system.

At a minimum, that oil needs to be looked at. ANY knocking what so ever, even for a short amount of time, can damage rod/main bearings and cause a failure in the future. And you know that stuff always happens after the warranty runs out.........[:@]

I hope it's under warranty as well.....

 

I don't think so, i don't know what the warrantys are though.

 

I think they were 3/36K bumper to bumper with the 7/100K powertrain warranty. When I bought my '02 I upgraded to a 7/100K Bumper to Bumper for like $1K its paid for itself already with about $2K in repairs. If you aren't covered anymore you might be able to still buy one through chrysler. I get letters every month asking to extend my warranty. Might be a good idea due to what you are experiencing.