If the engine was ever overheated, it is likely the heads slightly warped. Often they won't leak until the engine heats up, and then they can let exhaust gases into the cooling system which will overpressure the system and cause the relief valve in the cap to blow, or the overflow tank to leak.

The system will often pass a pressure test unless you let the engine run for quite awhile to heat up enough to start to leak. The easiest way to check it is to check for exhaust gases in the coolant. There are a couple ways to do that, with fluid that changes colors or a gas probe that you can put in the overflow tank.

Good luck. My Ram 1500 with a 4.7 did the same thing after if blew the lower rad hose. I got it pulled over almost immediately but it was hot enough to just barely warp the heads. On the plus side I used it as an excuse to upgrade to a Hemi.

 

I have no way to ever know if it got hot before I got it, Ive had it a week today. I never let it get hot.

Im just not sure what to do, I seen an ebay gasket kit for $100 with bolts and all... how big of a PITA is doing the HG's? Id obviously do both while Id be in there.

Ive built engines, replaced headgaskets on a duramax, etc, so Im not new, Ive just never taken an overhead cam engine apart.

 

Getting the valve timing back together right is a PITA.

 

guy I got it from says

I guess Id expect him to lie.

 

It seems I've heard that line before.

Maybe I'm a dying breed, but when I sell my old cars, I price them cheap. When asked why, I tell them what's wrong with it, what I've done to it, how long I've owned it, and why I'm selling it. They usually buy it anyhow.

 

Agreed, same here, unfortunately there are too many out there with no morals these days, its not the only thing he lied about on this thing either Ive found out sadly. Really pisses me off because the truck I traded I fixed everything on and I know it was good to go.

 

There is an old codgers method of testing for head gasket leaks. It involves pressurizing each cylinder at TDC and watching for bubbles in the radiator. It is necessary for each tested cylinder to be at perfect TDC or the engine will roll over when you snap on the air hose. It's an old school trick, but it may help you. You can also check compression this way by listening for escaping air in the intake, exhaust and oil filler cap. You have to have an air fitting that screws into the spark plug hole. Easily made from an old plug.

BTW, I'm an old codger. I turned 69 this week. I've been working on my own cars since I was 16. You know, back when they used feet for brakes!

 

Has anyone seen a write up on how to do the job? Special tools? I think Im going to order up a tester to confirm that a HG is leaking, although Im sure it is.

Also advice on where to get a good buy on a gasket kit, anything be done to prevent this from happening again? I traded my other truck hoping to just flip it, but it looks like the guy screwed me over pretty hard with this thing

Thanks

 

Get the MOPAR technical manual for it. They are worth every penny. Look on ebay. You may be able to find it online as a free pdf if you're lucky.

The head gasket is not trivial on the 4.7, as you have to take most of the top of the engine apart to get to them. That said, if you are patient and use the manual it can be done without too much trouble. The gaskets aren't terribly expensive, but you will probably have to have the heads machined. I would probably replace the head bolts/studs while you have it apart, as they are cheap insurance.

Good luck!

 

any recomendation on where to buy the gasket kit? What all to get?

Thanks

 

Are sure you have a blown head gasket? I would hate to see you spend a lot of time and money on a guess.

 

Have you done anything to confirm head gastket is bad? Block test? Compression test? Anything?

 

I just got this in the mail today, will test this weekend


http://www.lislecorp.com/divisions/p...s/?product=406





And given the symptoms, it has to be... when it sits for at least 3-4hrs it has a good puff of a white smoke, has air rushing through the heater core at idle (video I posted earlier). Obviously I wont tear down until Im positive, but right now Im sure, just need this tester to give me proof.

 

just sell it to somebody like someone did to you!

 

no joke, sadly, I wasn't raised to be a dbag like that