Hi Guys-

I'm in the thick of it in a big way and will take all the input I can get.-

Every time i think I have a problem licked something else happens... I'm close to going insane. I'm a guitar player. I never wanted to know this much about fixing cars... it's fun and all but this is just getting crazy.

anyways I have been involved in a long line of repairs that started in the fall. The BE-ALL-END-ALL was supposed to be replacing the Plenum gasket and the original steel plate with aluminum. All of this I did today. The procedure went splendid. I did my research and was able to pull it off with no problems until I was almost done buttoning everything up ...

That's when I noticed anti-freeze running out of the gasket seem between the engine block and the head. This is viewed from inside the van with doghouse/cowling off... The leak starts about 3/4" of an inch down from where the manifold is bolted down. (Sorry iphone is on the fritz, couldnt get pics)

It is NOT leaking where the new intake gasket is above it, just below it. I can wipe it and it immediatly starts again. This is on both heads. It's leaking about as much as someone who's crying a little. Like I'm about to.

keep in mind i haven't turned on the engine yet... so there has been NO pressure inside that engine or fluid movement since I took off the manifold and reinstalled it.

Here's another tib-bit of info that might play into the reason...
When I went to remove the intake manifold the bolts that hold it down came off pretty easy. They were a lot more then finger tight but I didn't have to fight with a one of them. They defiently were not tourqued to spec. I really anticipated breaking a bolt from all I read on here but didn't come close.

My guess is, and PLEASE correct me if I am misguided, but when I bolted the manifold back to spec it pulled the heads up toward it the slightest amount.
Maybe mashing the gasket which was probably bad?
Maybe the heads are not bolted down to spec?? I dunno. This is a totally a new thing. I noticed this under and hour ago so my brain is frantic with questions.

I just know I really need my ride back for gigs and I'm running out of money... and my landlord is about to lose his sh*t with me so going through an engine rebuild isn't an option... if It absolutely has to happen I'll figure something out... or maybe i'll hitchhike to south america.

That said what would happen if I started it up and used it like this?
will it gush coolant or seal itself due to heat and expanding metal of the engine?
Assuming it means the head gaskets are toast does it mean that the coolant and water are gonna probably get in my engine now? (this hasn't been a problem before).
Can I pop (it's that easy I'm sure!... pop!) the heads off and change the gaskets without going through all the rebuild procedure to buy me a few months of trouble free riding?

I ask because I'm heading to the Maine in mid-May where I'll have a shop, better income, and all the time in the world. Could I make it that far without destroying the engine totally?

thanks for any and all help....

**as a reference here's what been done fairly recently that might or might not relate to this**
new radiator/water pump/thermostat/hoses/valve cover gaskets/oil pump/pickup screen/countless sensors and valves/and of course new plenum and intake gaskets...
and switched to full synth oil in September-

 

Take a deep breath I don't see a huge problem, this leak began after you replaced the intake gasket so it reasons that is the issue. If the heads were not touched there is almost zero chance of loosening them by tightening intake bolts and causing a leak on both heads, you have better chance at winning the state lottery.

The intake has to come off again you will need new gaskets (you could have been sold a bad one(s) before) then carefully clean all grease/dirt before mating the intake to the heads and block. I have never done a Magnum intake before so don't know how much rtv if any to use. Someone else who has done this will chime in to give you some tips I'm pretty sure.

 

Thanks for the input.

the only problem I can find with that is there is no coolent above the new head gaskets to leak down through the new gaskets. I just installed and cleaned the manifold. It's bone dry. Engine has been engaged since reinstalling. Leaks are clearly starting about 3/4" from the top of the head gasket seam. If you are right, and I hope you are, I just don't understand how yet.

 

How much torque did you put on the Intake Bolts ?


This might help when you redo it.


http://dodgeram.info/tsb/2000/09-05-00.htm

 

Just thinking methodology your problem is related to the intake gasket. Why not read that link TNtech posted reread any service manual instructions you may have and go at it with a new gasket (s), usually easier the second time around right? Again now I'm not the sharpest tool in the shed but I seriously doubt this has anything to do with head gaskets.

 

When you tightened down the intake, did you follow the proper torque procedure as outlined in the manual?

 

I torqued pretty much to exactly what that spec sheet says expect I ended up starting by torquing in increments of 12in/Lbs (as it said) bolts 1-4 instead of getting just 1 an 2 up to 72inch'lbs- It's in one of my books on it so I went with it. The rest I did exactly as it said.

also it def wasn't coming from the intake gaskets I had just installed. I confirmed this by tearing off the heads today- Did research until 4am and was up at 730- bringing heads to a machine shop now for cleaning and resurfacing, if needed. The gaskets were pretty burned up -

 

Correct me if I misunderstood, neither head gasket leaked prior to you working on the intake. After reinstalling the intake both heads sprung a leak at identical locations?

I don' t know what to say never heard of any situation like you had, hope everything goes together with no issues.

 

I suspected a slow small leak on the heads prior to this work though I think it wasn't too active. my guess is the oil gunk in the engine probably kept it plugged. It was tough to tell for sure, after changing my leaky valve cover gaskets, not too long ago, I cleaned up best the outside of the engine best I could so I could watch for leaks but didn't see anything that looked new although it never looked bone dry.

But yeah, both heads sprung a leak at identical locations right after torquing down the manifold. That's exactly what happened.

 

Seems odd to me and now I feel like a idiot saying it was not the head gaskets but not the first nor the last time I have been wrong. You have a bit of money and sweat in this van hope it pays off in the end.