2002 Ram 4.7L head gasket replacement help

[BurtShaver]

I’m back again, my son in laws 2002 Ram with the 4.7L appears to have a leaking head gasket. I’m planning on attempting to change this head gasket for him but I have next to no experience so I’m hoping someone can help guide me through the process. I will forewarn anyone that’s willing to help, I’m sure I will have lots of questions. I need to install new flooring in our living room and kitchen first so I won’t really be starting this for at least a few weeks but I am going to start doing a little research at night and getting an idea of what will need to be done. My son in law Blake has already used one of those tests that detect exhaust gases in the coolant reservoir and the test confirmed that there is exhaust gas in there. It’s also blowing white smoke when running and he says the coolant level has decreased so we are pretty sure that it is in fact a head gasket. I’ve also taken out 4 of the spark plugs in an attempt to look at the top of the pistons for signs of piston wash but my bore scope which is just a cheap Canadian tire one was to big to fit in the plug holes. I was still able to see somewhat, and it appeared to me as if one of pistons had markings on it, almost like a rust but very hard to tell color. I’m wondering if there is another test I can do to tell for sure which head gasket is leaking? Thank you for any replies

 

[jws123]

I am to tired to make a whole post tonight however i will tomorrow I have rebuilt tons of 4.7s so I will list everything you need to do.

Does the truck idle rough? and was it overheated? head gaskets just dont blow so you should find out what failed that it overheated also how many miles on it? and when he did the test did he make sure to not suck up any coolant? It will give a false test

 

[BurtShaver]

I am to tired to make a whole post tonight however i will tomorrow I have rebuilt tons of 4.7s so I will list everything you need to do.

Does the truck idle rough? and was it overheated? head gaskets just dont blow so you should find out what failed that it overheated also how many miles on it? and when he did the test did he make sure to not suck up any coolant? It will give a false test

Thank you, I really appreciate you taking the time to do that. I know he hasn’t owned the truck long, he purchased it roughly 13 months ago, drove it for a little bit, then injured his hand so couldn’t work and let the truck sit for a number of months, maybe 9 months roughly. When he started it up it was spitting out white smoke. We have noticed a sludge in the oil filler tube, I’ve been wondering if the previous owner maybe knew it had a bad head gasket and put some stop leak in? I don’t really know of course. I have Blake right here beside me, he says the truck doesn’t idle rough, he said it may of idled rough the first time starting it after sitting for 9 months but other than that it idles fine, just smokes badly. We don’t know if it’s been overheated before but it hasn’t since he’s owned it. He says it didnt suck up any coolant and he did the test multiple times.

 

[jws123]

Sludge in the oil tube is normal for a 4.7 its a design flaw especially if the truck takes short trips It often gives false readings of a head gasket. 2 When a truck sits water/crap builds up in the exhaust did he give it a really good drive to see if the smoke clears up? or if it overheats. If the head gasket is for sure blown at operating temp it will be Hilareous amounts of white smoke with a sweet smell.

 

[BurtShaver]

Sludge in the oil tube is normal for a 4.7 its a design flaw esoecially if the truck takes short trips It often gives false readings of a head gasket. 2 When a truck sits water/crap builds up in the exhaust did he give it a good drive to see if the smoke clears up? or if it overheats

No, he didn’t take it for arrive at all, started it, seen all the white smoke and he didn’t want to risk damaging anything. Maybe a good idea to take it out for 15 minute drive

 

[jws123]

No, he didn’t take it for arrive at all, started it, seen all the white smoke and he didn’t want to risk damaging anything. Maybe a good idea to take it out for 15 minute drive

Bet you dont even have a head gasket issue. Pull the dip stick if the oil looks clean and the coolant looks clean take it on a good HARD drive it will clear up.

 

[BurtShaver]

Before we take it out for a drive, I want to fill the coolant overflow jug to the full line, I know the coolant is orange and it’s impossible for anyone to know for sure what’s in there but would this year be HOAT coolant? My 2016 Ram is OAT coolant and if my memory is correct I’ve read that if the HOAT and OAT are mixed they will congeal?

 

[BurtShaver]

looks like it’s supposed to be HOAT, I have a little dex cool for my 2012 Express, going to have a look at the jug, pretty sure it’s HOAT but if not I will grab some

 

[BurtShaver]

I put a battery in it today, filled the coolant overflow up just a hair above the full cold line, started it up, it smoked out a lot of white smoke, I took it for a 5 or 6 minute drive and let it idle another 10 minutes or so. Checked the coolant overflow after it had cooled and the level had went down roughly 1/8” Took it for another 5 or 6 minute drive and now I’m just waiting for it to cool again so I can look at the height of the coolant in the overflow. I also noticed what looked like a little bit of bubbling in the overflow tank while it was idling? Not sure if that’s supposed to happen? I do believe I can smell the coolant as it’s running. It doesn’t overheat though when driving and the white snails does go away and no white smoke even when I first started it for the second little drive