5.9L with fuel in Coolant

[Papa George]

I have a 98 Durango with 5.9L and 165,000 miles, last year we started loosing coolant after my son had a little finder binder. now come to find out after replacing most of the cooling system including the water pump this was not a overheating issue.

Here is the problem we still loose coolant on long trips. the Durango died on my wife the other day and had it towed home.

the temp never got to 210. and it died. but had a ticking sound before it died.

I filled the radiator and started it when I was turning it over I could see the pressure building in the radiator hose then fluid came spraying out the overflow, and I can smell fuel mixed with the coolant.

NO FUEL OR COOLANT IN OIL

my question is Blown Head Gasket or block?

[rhandwor]

Pull the heads and have a machine shop pressure test, lay a flashlight on the block and look for cracks between cylinders.

[fredjacksonsan]

Sounds like head gasket to me....fuel in the coolant - somehow it's mixing and the only place that can happen is in the head. Plus, add to that the pressure increased when you started it.

[Papa George]

Originally Posted by fredjacksonsan

Sounds like head gasket to me....fuel in the coolant - somehow it's mixing and the only place that can happen is in the head. Plus, add to that the pressure increased when you started it.

I pulled the Drivers side head and in doing so found 1 broken intake manifold bolt, sent the head to the machine shop, they called and said there was no way to get the bolt out, said it was welded in,

found the front of the drivers side intake gasket completely gone, on top of that it had no exhaust manifold Gaskets on either side.

used heads at $85.00 each guaranteed not to be cracked, or $485.00 completely rebuilt with warranty,

[rhandwor]

What is the cost of a valve job on the used heads? The cost of rebuilt heads seems high.

[fredjacksonsan]

Your call on which heads to choose....but rebuilt with warranty should be as good or better than new. Glad you found it, hope you're back on the road soon!

[Papa George]

Originally Posted by rhandwor

What is the cost of a valve job on the used heads? The cost of rebuilt heads seems high.

A valve Job out here in Ca. is $99.99 for an inspection plus parts, any parts replacement raises the labor with replacement.

to have a head completely rebuilt with new valve, springs, seals and guides, with inspection, magnaflux, resurfacing of gasket area's and pressure testing is around $350.00 to $400.00 per head all parts included.

if I was to send a stripped head over to be Magnaflux and resurfaced, would run would run around $175.00 per head and I would have to lap the valves myself. ( did this for the 352 in my thunderbird) not a hard job just time consuming lapping by hand. after I install the valves I would still have to take it for pressure testing which would cost more.

[Papa George]

I know it seems high but this is California after all. But even Online prices are $350 up plus shipping so all in all I would Rather buy local encase there is an issue.