Perplexing coolant leak from back of engine
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Joined: Feb 2012
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From: Fort Mill, SC
Perplexing coolant leak from back of engine
Okay I bought a 2005 Ram Hemi with 165,000 miles on it almost two months ago. After driving it home I parked it in my garage until I could get it titled and registered. Well I began noticing liquid underneath after a few days and investigated. It was coolant and found that it was dripping off the removable portion of the transmission bell housing. There would be a significant puddle overnight.
Well I've searched the forum for similar leaks and have not found anyone who has experienced a similar problem. I have seen folks with the 318 and 360 experience leaking freeze plugs and that could be the problem here except I noticed an abnormal amount of moisture coming out of the exhaust to the point that liquid would drip out of the muffler and resonator. As this is a symptom of a head gasket or intake manifold leak I proceeded to pull off the intake manifold only to realize that no coolant goes through the intake manifold. It wasn't a total loss as I discovered coolant in the breather tube from the oil filler neck to the air filter housing. I also discovered coolant in the intake manifold. I think it came out of the EGR pipe connection point.
At this point can I assume that I have a head gasket leak? I need reassurance before go down the path of replacing them. I don't have milky engine oil but the oil only has about 250 miles on it (previous owner changed it just before I bought it). The oil filler cap does have an orangish-brown residue buildup in it. The external leak is what's perplexing me because I've examined the exterior of the engine as best I can and can't find the physical leak point but it continues to leak continuously.
Well I've searched the forum for similar leaks and have not found anyone who has experienced a similar problem. I have seen folks with the 318 and 360 experience leaking freeze plugs and that could be the problem here except I noticed an abnormal amount of moisture coming out of the exhaust to the point that liquid would drip out of the muffler and resonator. As this is a symptom of a head gasket or intake manifold leak I proceeded to pull off the intake manifold only to realize that no coolant goes through the intake manifold. It wasn't a total loss as I discovered coolant in the breather tube from the oil filler neck to the air filter housing. I also discovered coolant in the intake manifold. I think it came out of the EGR pipe connection point.
At this point can I assume that I have a head gasket leak? I need reassurance before go down the path of replacing them. I don't have milky engine oil but the oil only has about 250 miles on it (previous owner changed it just before I bought it). The oil filler cap does have an orangish-brown residue buildup in it. The external leak is what's perplexing me because I've examined the exterior of the engine as best I can and can't find the physical leak point but it continues to leak continuously.
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I had a coolant leak that was coming from my timing belt cover on an 02 5.9L. The coolant was catching a ride on the lip of the oil pan and was dripping off at the back of it, near the bell housing on the transmission. I replaced the gasket on the timing belt cover, and no more leaks. Not sure if the 05 Hemi has cooling lines that still flow through the timing belt cover, but may want to check there.
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Joined: Mar 2009
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From: South GA
The best thing to do it simply clean the engine really good with a good degreaser or pressure washer and look under the engine and see for yourself. Guessing itsnt going to help but with a leak on a CLEAN engine, you can normally see where its coming from.
an 05 with 165K is A LOT of miles and there is no telling how the engine was kept, driven or maintained.
Condensaton in the exh is normal to a degree. All engines do it.
Its true no coolant passes through the intake manifold or oil breather, EGR.
If you have found coolant in those areas then you have an internal leak and as you think already, it is likely a head gasket issue
That means pulling the heads and having them reworked and magnafluxed for cracks as well as shaved for warpage. Replacing the head gaskets and bolts. Replacing exh manifold gaskets and bolts. Plus you need to find out what caused the issue of overheating to begin with. Clogged rad? Bad stat? Low coolant? Bad water pump? Failed clutch fan?
It is possible to have a bad head gasket and not leak coolant in the oil but rather burn in in the cylinders (thus more condensation in the exh pipe(s))
an 05 with 165K is A LOT of miles and there is no telling how the engine was kept, driven or maintained.
Condensaton in the exh is normal to a degree. All engines do it.
Its true no coolant passes through the intake manifold or oil breather, EGR.
If you have found coolant in those areas then you have an internal leak and as you think already, it is likely a head gasket issue
That means pulling the heads and having them reworked and magnafluxed for cracks as well as shaved for warpage. Replacing the head gaskets and bolts. Replacing exh manifold gaskets and bolts. Plus you need to find out what caused the issue of overheating to begin with. Clogged rad? Bad stat? Low coolant? Bad water pump? Failed clutch fan?
It is possible to have a bad head gasket and not leak coolant in the oil but rather burn in in the cylinders (thus more condensation in the exh pipe(s))