Head gasket repair/hydro lock

[New2GasRams]

To start out I am a complete newbie when it comes to anything dodge unless its a diesel. I just traded a wrecked truck for a 2001 dodge 5.9 v8. the guy said it needs head gaskets and said that it could possibly be hydro locked. Obvisouly I need to pull plugs and try to get the coolant out of cylinders but from there does anyone have any pointers? I plan to get a complete gasket kit and possibly do the hughes plenum upgrade. When installing gaskets do I need to use any type of silicone or is it just gaskets only.

Any and all tips and pointers are greatly appreciated. Thanks in advance!

 

[dapepper9]

Just gaskets. Install is on page 9-137 of factory service manual which can be downloaded in the tech section.

As a note, cylinder heads on the trucks are usually cracked. Doesn't really do any harm to em most times but if you're pulling em anyways, might as well upgrade

 

[Merc225hp]

To start out I am a complete newbie when it comes to anything dodge unless its a diesel. I just traded a wrecked truck for a 2001 dodge 5.9 v8. the guy said it needs head gaskets and said that it could possibly be hydro locked. Obvisouly I need to pull plugs and try to get the coolant out of cylinders but from there does anyone have any pointers? I plan to get a complete gasket kit and possibly do the hughes plenum upgrade. When installing gaskets do I need to use any type of silicone or is it just gaskets only.

Any and all tips and pointers are greatly appreciated. Thanks in advance!

Yes certain gaskets need a sealant used on them yes even some head gaskets. So what gasket are you referring to?

And yes having cracked heads will **** with the motor. If they are cracked replace them with a thick casting head.

 

[dapepper9]

Yes certain gaskets need a sealant used on them yes even some head gaskets. So what gasket are you referring to?

And yes having cracked heads will **** with the motor. If they are cracked replace them with a thick casting head.

^^ignore me follow him. He knows more.

 

[Merc225hp]

^^^Ooh ********

 

[dapepper9]

^^^Ooh ******** ��

You prob have more years experience rebuilding engines than I've been alive lol no ******** here

 

[Merc225hp]

So what you are well versed just as good if not better than me. I read your posts buddy and you hold your own just fine. Yes I do but so what I am old school u are new school and up on today's tech I am not.

Anyway op post up your answers to the q's posted and go from there.

 

[New2GasRams]

I'm not sure what gasket kit up going with yet. I'm pulling plugs and going to try to un lock motor if it's even hydro liked that is rather be safe than sorry. What gaskets do you guys recommend? And if the gasket needs a sealant what kind?

 

[New2GasRams]

Since the oil is obviously going to be milky would I be ok to drain it and just throw some clean 15-40 I have left from my oil truck in so that way when I crank it it's not running all the **** back though the engine?

 

[dapepper9]

Gaskets most recommend felpro but for heads idk. Sealant prob whatever MaMopar recommends.

I would change oil before cranking if it's milky

 

[New2GasRams]

I know I need to change the oil but I don't want to go spend a bunch of money if there is something worse wrong than head gasket. So could I use some 15-40 for now. I mean that would be better than the milky oil

 

[New2GasRams]

I'm not going to drive it with that oil just want it in there for cranking over

 

[dapepper9]

Yeah no i was agreeing with ya. Some older 15-40 is better than milky oil

 

[auskip07]

I dont know enough about these engines but from my experience i have seen bent rods (forged) because of hydrolock so i would look them over good. Cast rods just shatter through the block (alum engine)

 

[New2GasRams]

After looking at the truck more I found its a 2000 v8 magnum, that would still be the 5.9 v8 right? when I search for head gasket kits. I have 3 different options, 5.9V8, 5.9V8 MFI, and 5.9V8 Magnum 16valve OHV. Could someone tell me the difference between these options and what one I would need?

 

[dapepper9]

After looking at the truck more I found its a 2000 v8 magnum, that would still be the 5.9 v8 right? when I search for head gasket kits. I have 3 different options, 5.9V8, 5.9V8 MFI, and 5.9V8 Magnum 16valve OHV. Could someone tell me the difference between these options and what one I would need?

Are those all on the same website just different brands?

 

[Yeret]

Fuel/air mixture compresses.

Straight liquid doesn't compress.

If an engine locks up because of excess liquid in the cylinders, that excess pressure (excess, because liquids can't compress to reduce it) has to go somewhere...

Hydrolock = bent connecting rods?

 

[New2GasRams]

00 2000 Dodge Ram 1500 Head Gasket - Engine Mechanical - DNJ Rock, Felpro, VR Gaskets, Victor Reinz - PartsGeek

all same website. Just looked again and noticed they are different brands so would it matter?

And ya I know bent connecting rods could happen. but I'm not 100 percent convinced it was even hydro locked because after pulling plugs I went to turn it over and the starter clicked so I'm guessing starter is bad. I'm guessing the guy I got it from had no idea what was going on because he told me it was a 2001 and its build date is 10/99 making it a 2000. I just wanted to try to get water out before tearing intake and heads off but I might just pull them tomorrow and go from there. I know it has a bad head gasket for sure because when I drained the oil the first like 3 quarts was antifreeze.

 

[Yeret]

Turn the key, starter clicks, but engine doesn't turn.

LOL, been there, done that more times than any man should have to.

How old's the battery? So far, never failed to resolve such an issue by either replacing or recharging the battery.

Buuut, if you've got a bunch of coolant draining out with the oil, that's a pretty telltale sign of a torched head gasket.

Then of course, there's always the question of WHY the head gasket failed to begin with. Just plain ole' wear and tear? Or perhaps the engine was severely overheated?

That's the PITA to used vehicles. You never know what the previous owner(s) did if they're selling a vehicle, there's a more than likely chance they aren't telling the whole truth.

EDIT: For what it's worth, I go Fel-Pro for EVERY gasket I need to replace. I've compared them to cheaper gaskets and trust me, there is no comparison.

 

[New2GasRams]

battery is from '13 its on the charger over night if that don't work I have a new one I bought for my cummins that ill just throw in it. I guess ill find out tomorrow the whole truth on the engine. Finger crossed for the best.

yes Fel-Pro is who I was looking at. I'm going to do the whole gasket kit, new head bolts, and timing cover seal. might as well go all out!