2002 Dodge Ram Head Gasket problems

TEXAS CANUCK

MEMBER
2002 DODGE RAM
V8
2WD
AUTOMATIC
57,000 MILES

Took truck in for fluid flushings. 10 days and 200 miles later while driving 70 mph on highway, check gauges warning light comes on. Was unable to see any changes in gauges but ~5 miles later rattling sound starts. Pull over and shut engine down, pop hood and see steam coming from coolant sprayed all over engine. Wait for enginge to cool (gauge never indicated overheating) and see coolant reservoir is empty so add 1.5 gallons. Start engine and see white smoke coming from exhaust so shut down and have vehicle towed to shop that did fluid flushings. Hey check water pump and tell me there is no damage to that and that the radiator and hoses are also fine. Problem is likely a head gasket I am told. Agree to have this checked along with cylinder heads and am subsequently informed that 1 head gasket one each side is warped. I approve replacing head gaskets and call shop to check on progress after 2 days have gone by. Am told the repairs have been made to head gasket and that I should also replace timing chain guides that look to be worn. Approve this and am informed vehicle will be ready for pick up in a few hours. When I get to the shop I see the engine is still apart. I am now told that there is a knocking sound and still coolant being blown out the exhaust. White steam appears in the catalytic converter. Recommended that I replace the block as there is no guarantee against further damage occuring if I don't.

Does this seem plausible? Why wasn't this figured out previously? It seems like nothing but trouble has happened since a simple fluid flush was done on a low mileage vehicle.

1 Reply

JACOBANDNICKOLAS

MECHANIC
108,179 POSTS

Nothing you described made sense to me. If the engine was running good but you had coolant spraying on the engine, it sounds like a bad hose not a head gasket. A bad head gasket will leak, but I've never seen one spray. Also, there was no way they could tell you the heads were warped without removing them and checking them with a straight edge. Now they are telling you it is a warped block? If you want my recommendation, have the truck and parts to your engine taken out and take it to another shop. THat is my opinion. I wouldn't pay them for their work either. When they removed the heads, they should have checked both the block and heads to make sure they wern't warped, so it's their fault that the problem wasn't repaired. Finally, was the car blowing white smoke when you were driving it? IF not, chances are the head gaskets were fine.

Let me know if you have other questions.