Oh No!!! Blown Gasket!? Help!!!

:banghead:

So I went to do my routine oil check on my '00 Grand Cherokee today and when I took a look in the oil fill neck, I found a yellow-whitish sludge in the neck (see pics). I ran my finger in it and it was traced with water. Is it pretty safe to say I have a blown head gasket?
I haven't been experiencing any engine problems whatsoever and my coolant level is right where it should be. If I had a cracked head, would I notice with how the engine is running? :crying:

Any thoughts or experience would be most appreciated! Thanks.

http://i286.photobucket.com/albums/ll90/Mattman_2000/th_IMG00212.jpg (http://s286.photobucket.com/albums/ll90/Mattman_2000/?action=view&current=IMG00212.jpg)

http://i286.photobucket.com/albums/ll90/Mattman_2000/th_IMG00213.jpg (http://s286.photobucket.com/albums/ll90/Mattman_2000/?action=view&current=IMG00213.jpg)

Possibly condensation buildup?

Try changing the oil and see if the problem recurs.
That's what I would try anyway. I'm not really experienced or anything.


Regards,
CI888

A quick compression check should let you know for sure. If it is a straight 6 it will be a lot cheaper than a V6 or an 8. A headgasket job for a 3.8L V6 on a ford will run about $2500 at the dealer.

I have a 4.7 V8, so it's not going to be pretty if it is the head gaskets. I'm going to have a compression test done tomorrow. From what I could tell, to do both the gaskets is a 10-12 hour job as far as the standard is concerned.

If you are handy and have the proper tools and time it is not that difficult. With the amount of DIY time you have to spend on this job, plus cost, new gaskets and new head bolts are only part of the solution. You really need to have both heads tested and milled if necessary. Around here they charge $50 a head. Dealers farm them out.

it's just moisture, the 3.7 and 4.7 get alot of moisture in the engine, not quite sure why but you will see it all the time, I get them all the time in the shop.

dksob81,

Are you serious?! Where does that much moisture come from? I did think the situation seemed unusual because I checked the dipstick and the oil on the dipstick seemed completely normal (no water droplets). When I look down in the neck, I saw quite a few droplets on the rockers. If this is normal, do you just rely on compression testing to determine gasket integrity? I really appreciate you posting on here - I'm going to make darn sure their gone before I flip the switch. Thanks!

I'm having the compression test done today, so I'll post an update later on. Thanks all.

I am sure you will find that everything is fine.

Sure enough! The exhaust dye test showed no exhaust in the radiator at all, and upon dropping the oil pan, there was no moisture in there. Did an oil change and will just keep an eye on it! What a relief!!

:grinyes:

this is very common Chrysler actually has a TSB out about it - it basically says this is a normal condition. but some people have notice a difference by switching to synthetic oil. Alot of it has to do with the PCV Valve placement it dras alot o moisture up though te filler neck and just accumulates theres, also if it isn't driven very far this will also allow this because the engine doesn't warm up completely or even driven enough (alot of short trips) to allow the moisure to evaporate.

That is VERY good to know!