misfire on cylinder #2, white smoke, overheating, HELP?!

[jeremywitt]

My truck is having some major problems right now! I'll give a overview of the problems, then below that try to explain each of them as best I can...

Overview:
Coolant is disappearing rapidly (1-2 days)
Overheating (when the coolant is gone)
Billows of white smoke coming from exhaust
Check engine light
Heater not always working
Loss of power
Low RPMs at idle (read below)

Individual breakdown of problems

Check engine light:
The check engine light was coming and going but is on continuously now. I took it to Schucks and they did an OBD test... I don't have the exact code but the code meant "misfire on cylinder #2".

Coolant is disappearing rapidly:
I can't find a leak anywhere in the cooling system (I haven't inspected fully but there are no obvious leaks). There is no fluid on the ground after driving or sitting even after filling with coolant/water.

Overheating:
This has only happened when the coolant has run out. The temperature only seems to go up while in Drive, not neutral or park.

Billows of white smoke coming from exhaust:
This happens about 3 out of 4 times I drive and lasts about 5 minutes after beginning my drive or until the engine is warmed up. It doesn't seem to come out until I start driving. I'm assuming it is still happening when in park but is not noticeable because the engine is not revved.

Heater not always working:
This has only happened when the coolant was very low, right before overheating. So I am assuming that it is only because of that.

Loss of power:
I have no symptoms or proof of this but it seems to have some loss of power at take-off.

Idle @ Low RPMs:
This has been going on for several months now due to my exhaust manifold being loose. This was caused by the heads of 4 bolts popping off that hold on the exhaust manifold. The reason I mention it is because with the new problems the idle has gone even lower... around 0.5 - 0.6 RPM now.

I am assuming that I have a leaking/blown head gasket but hoping that it may be something less than that like a bad spark plug wire???? I told a co-worker that I thought it might be a head gasket and he said that if it was, the coolant would go into the oil and would become "frothy" or look like a chocolate shake. I checked the oil on the dipstick several times and it appears to be normal, semi-clear brownish oil color.

Here's to hoping its not a total blow-out!! *CROSSING FINGERS*

Any ideas? Suggestions for diagnosis??

[jeremywitt]

*I'm not a mechanic and am doing my best to provide info... please help?*

On my way to work this morning my truck overheated 4 times. I stopped each time and waited for it to cool down. Even when the truck was allowed to cool down completely it would very rapidly heat up as soon as I started driving. It would start raising the temp immediately upon starting the truck and I would say less than a mile before it was all the way to the red...
I read that some people were able to cool down their vehicles by turning on the heat but my heat was already on... didn't help. Turning it off didn't help either.
I checked the coolant system when it was overheating... I noticed that the upper hose that leaves the radiator on the driver side was pressurized and looked expanded and was pretty hot. The lower hose was not pressurized or only slightly pressurized and was lukewarm.
I also checked the oil dipstick again, the oil looks normal. Doesn't look like froth or chocolate milkshake.

Even though the coolant may not be getting into the oil, it is definitely getting into the exhaust somehow because it is coming out as VERY thick white smoke. How is it going from the coolant system to the exhaust?

My diagnosis so far brings me to one of the following conclusions:

1. Blown/Leaking head gasket... which allowing the pressure from cylinder #2 to pressurize the coolant system. (Although I don't see how the pressure is causing overheating??)
2. Blown Intake manifold gasket? (if different than head gasket?? not sure..)
3. Radiator Air Lock?
4. Exhaust getting into the coolant system?
5. Cracked head?

I am assuming that the thermostat is good because the upper radiator hose is hot along with the engine... Got that info from the Chilton's Manual.

A head gasket and an intake manifold gasket are two different things right??
If it is one of the two how do I tell which is the problem?
If it is a cracked head, do I have to buy a new engine?

[angus10]

White smoke is head gasket or cracked head. Keep driving it and you will be replacing the motor, if it's not too late already. And btw, if you want raise the possibility of more people replying, I suggest you let everyone know atleast what the heck year and motor you have.

[jeremywitt]

Sorry for missing that vital information... I was so focused on getting the problems down that I forgot it!

2003 Durango 4x4
4.7L V8

[tittny]

Help Help!
I am having the exact same problems with my truck.
Did you find out what it was?

[Scrapper]

Originally Posted by tittny

Help Help!
I am having the exact same problems with my truck.
Did you find out what it was?

well i see you put moter size in there but yes blown head gasket and or both cracked head also. have you pulled a plug or two out to see if there wet with antifrezze?