Hello Everyone,

I fear my truck is slowely dying but hope it isn't the end yet. I have been having issues with it for a little while now and need some advice.

In the winter I had issues with it not starting or dying when I drove it. The garage changed the battery and the spark plugs. Not sure aboue the wires, I cannot remember. Turned out to be the Air conditioner compressor was going and eventually I was stranded with a siezed compressor.

Around the same time the water temp would shoot up and then back down. They also said I needed to change the radiator and water pump. I didn't have the money at the time so I changed them myself along with the thermostat and the oil and filter. No more issues with the water temp.

But here is the real problem, a couple weeks later, I started the trick and it looked like water was coming out of the tailpipe and white smoke or steam. I shut it off and decided to look at it later. When I got back in later and started it up, nothing.

Now, if I start it every day, I do not see the water or smoke. But if I let it sit for a couple days, it is there.

This morning when I came out, the check engine like appeared and it has an error of P0300. I know that stands for misfire and everyone says to look at the plugs, wires etc.

Do you think this is a head gasket going and water coming out of the tailpipe or a bad plug or wires and gas coming out of the pipe?

Please be the plugs. PLease be the plugs.

Stephen

 

Sounds like condensation to me, especially since it doesn't do it if run everyday. Your code indicates misfire so change the plugs and see what happens, then change the wires, and hope for the best. Check your oil and see if it is showing any water in it. It sounds like it isn't something major IMO. What engine are we dealing with here?

 

I have the 4.7. I was affraid that now that I have a new waterpump and radiator the system had more pressure, just enough to push some fluid past the gasket.

 

4.7s are kinda known for this. I hate to tell ya buddy but it sounds like the head gasket. By the sounds of it though, the leak is very minute. Just monitor for oil in the coolant and coolant in your oil. If it's the latter it's more of a problem. With the way the 4.7 can sludge up though, sometimes it's not even worth the expense of replacing the HG and getting the heads resurfaced (they warp easy with extra heat). Mopar coolant also has a particular smell when it burns, you'll notice the exhaust will smell "off"

 

My truck always has moisture coming out of the tailpipe for the first 5min or so. So much if I rev it, it spits water out. This is normal. Nothing to be alarmed about. This is why mufflers rot at their lowest point ;-)
Now, if your truck is fully warm and has been running/driving for an hour and still has moisture out the tip, then something is wrong.

 

This. Head gasket leak smoke is entirely different than condensation smoke.

 

Condensation usually presents itself as water dripping from the tailpipe, and may or may not smoke at all. Like the moderator said, This is completely normal, so making a judgement as to a leaking head gasket, from just seeing a little smoke or water from the tailpipe, and a miss code, is a little bit premature

 

HG smoke will be a fuller white smoke that lingers for a sec before dissipating. I've seen instances where it will only do it on cold starts though. It has a funny smell to it too.

 

It has been confirmed that I have a blown head gasket. I pulled the spark plug from one of the cylinders and it had antifreeze on it.

Ugh.

A mechanic in the area that is reasonible and respected said it would be around $2000 when you get done with the parts, labor, machining, etc.

I have not seen convincing evidence that the fixin a can works so I am scrapping that idea.

I am going to attempt to do this on my own. I am sure you will be seeing future posting from me for moral support and guidance.

Thanks for your advice and knowledge so far.

 

I gotta wonder who the Heck is diagnosing your truck issues.

To NOT see a binding compressor is bad enough but not as bad as recommending a radiator and water pump to fix a 101 thermostat problem. WOW