Hey guys, My 2002 Ram 4.7 liter started running a bit rough during cold starts in the past week. The roughness only lasts for 10 seconds or so and then it smooths out. Just this morning I started it up (had been sitting a day and a half), and noticed plumes of white smoke and classic antifreeze smell from the exhaust. After a cussing match of biblical proportions I shut the truck off, I cant replicate this though. I let the truck sit 2 hours and fully cool off again and I cant get it to smoke like that again.

I know I have a bust head gasket in the least. Although I cant replicate the smoking right now, I know in the morning it will do the same and only get worse. I have called the Dodge dealership, and they seem less then enthused to do a head gasket job. A chuck of cement has more personality then the moron I talked to who informed me that I would have to change the heads as well because they "might" be warped as well. When he called me back with a price he informed me that all 4.7 heads and complete long blocks are on national backorder. Wow, maybe this problem is more widespread then I thought. Anyway, what are my options? The truck has never ran hot in the 3 years I have owned it, what are the chances that the heads would be warped instead of just the head gasket?

Seems like an almost better investment to just drop a long block in it then pay for the labor and parts of a head job.

 

There are threads on how to change the head gaskets on the 4.7s. Its not hard but you do need a few tools and especially the timing chain wedges (to keep timing).

 

Thanks weed. I found a few links that explain things really well. The hardest part (or most irritating) sound like removing the timing chain sprockets off of the cam. The second hardest from my recent experience is trying to find a machine shop in my area that can mill these things.

Any ideas on where to find a spanner wrench for the timing chain removal from the cam? I looked and couldnt find one, and in one write up I read, one was purchased and ended up not fitting. I already know the wedges are only available from Chrysler.

 

Okay guys I got everything fixed up. It rained its behind off today but I got it done, it only took 4 hours from start to finish with ample breaks in between.
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So you spent how much to fix a $100-200 problem? LOL

 

How do you figure 1-200? All the gasket kits I looked at were at least 150 not counting the machine shop to do the heads. In any case I did give serious consideration into fixing it, but honestly I started to hate the truck. It was getting to where every time I turn around something else was breaking. Most of which I fixed myself bit the parts alone was almost the payment on a new vehicle. I'm not downing Dodge trucks but my truck was beginning to go down the toilet. It was getting to we're every time I drove the truck I was waiting on the next expensive repair. To answer your question honestly though, $27950.

 

Its cool. We just take different approaches to "repairs"....LOL

Shops around here are about 100-150 to do heads. But I also have a spare block and trans out in the shop I can drop in my truck when ever I need. I have my own tools and do my own work. So again, my approach would have been to tear down the top end and rebuild it over a weekend. But $27k on a truck isnt bad. I paid 30 for mine new off the lot. At least now you got warranty to fall back on provided the dealer keeps good service.

 

I usually do all of my own repairs as well. I was looking into this pretty hard and the more I thought about it the more I thought my wife was right 2 months ago when the rear end needed rebuilding in that the truck is getting to be unreliable. It never left me anywhere, but some of that attributes to my mechanical ability as well.
We cant just up and break down to a 1 car family. Sure on the week I am home (7 on, 7 off schedule) we can, but the other week I work out of town and use my truck for my job (I am paid a car allowance so I am expected to have a functioning vehicle), so I have to have something I can depend on. It did sound like fun to tear into it, and if that had been the only problem I wouldnt have hesitated. I just had a bad taste in my mouth.
Weed, the deal I worked at the dealship was with the x plan program my company offers, - any other applicable rebates.