Ok, I've been readin around and according to my symptons (low coolant, low coolant light always on, etc), im guessing I have a blown head gasket! So how much money are we talkin? And how bad a problem is it, do I need to get it changed soon? Sorry if thats a dumb question, Im just not that mechanically inclined!!

Time is the limiting factor IMO......time+stealer =$$$$$$$$ It takes a while but I think if you have patience and some knowledge you could do it, its not like its rocket science but its just TIME CONSUMING. Give dealer a call if you dont wanna do it and they can quote it over the phone but....sit down first...;)

the dealer wanted 18 hrs for the labor to r&r one head

Ok, I've been readin around and according to my symptons (low coolant, low coolant light always on, etc), im guessing I have a blown head gasket! So how much money are we talkin? And how bad a problem is it, do I need to get it changed soon? Sorry if thats a dumb question, Im just not that mechanically inclined!!

The power train warranty is 5 yrs/100k miles... so if you're still in that range, the first trip ought to be to the stealer. If you're still driving the truck, you could have easily warped the heads, which would be a buncha moola more than just replacing the head gasket. The only thing to be concerned about would be any warranty-voiding mods. At the least, you'll want to return any tuning back to stock.

Good luck!

Dealer cost for head gasket $4,200.00 add a head replacement $6,300.00.
OUCH!!!!:mad::mad::mad::mad::mad:

yeah do it your self. The best way i found is to remove the motor and do it on the ground. Its very hard/ imposable to tourqe the back head bolts with the motor in the truck. Its realy not hard to get the motor out, but all the stuff on the motor is a bitch to do.

the dealer wanted 18 hrs for the labor to r&r one head
not a bad quote thats warranty time,alldata pays about 25 hrs

I just got quoted 4K out the door.........:nutkick: is how I feel

Ok, I just got home from hauling a load from De to NY and back. Its not getting hot at all! I saw other guys r havin problems with just the water pump, could it just be that?! Wow, I hope its not the head gasket!!!!

Yes, was your coolant low? Also when your truck is started is your cooland bubbling or not? Check that out first but yes it definately could be your pump. Might also want to do a pressure test.....could be many things without full diagnosis.

The bolts & gasket for 1 side is only $150. I just bought this stuff.

The bolts & gasket for 1 side is only $150. I just bought this stuff.


Like I said....:rolleyes: The parts arent the expensive part its the 20 hours labor your gonna get rapped on! Its really not that hard of a challenge to take care of its just TIME CONSUMING

What Randy said. I had mine replaced under warranty.

Yeah - if the truck's under 100k miles, the cost is a whopping $100 deductible. I can tell ya that the 3 cars/trucks I've had blow a head gasket all warped heads. If you get in there and find this and then decide to go to the dealer, then you're most likely outta luck.

If you're out of warranty, good luck and take your time... and be sure to check the heads.

Also, why is it that when it is low in coolant, the radiator hose is almost completely caved in, until I open the cap to put more coolant it?

Oh yeah, it has about 155,000 miles on it, so warranty work is definitly outta the picture!

collapsed radiator hose is common. Clean the radiator cap.

What makes you think you have a headgasket problem? From what i gather you are driving it and it is not overheating?

If you had a head gasket problem you would probably not be driving your truck from state to state.....

How low is the coolant?

Yeah, I don't think its the head gasket, just got back from a 700 some mile trip and there wasn't even the slightest hint of overheating! I can put a whole jug of of antifreeze in and after a day of driving, it'll b all the way at the bottom! So I don't know if its the water pump or what, but I have a pretty bad leak somewhere!!

replace your radiator capif your hose is sucked in when it cools first thing

Bad Head gasket will usually make the hose hard even when it sits overnight the hose will still be hard.

ya if the head gasket is out when you turn off your truck let it sit for a few hours then go back and feel the upper rad hose if it feels hard as a rock then you guessed it headgasket and ya if it is that then your in the denial phase that happened to me i was going to replace the little things first but then decided it wasn't worth the time and headache to replace all the things that weren't the problem and i payed right around 3500 but i have a parts guy that gets me all the parts at cost and i also had the heads resurfaced had a dent in each head

Headgasket being blown does not neccesarily = overheat

Headgasket being blown does not neccesarily = overheat

Exactly.....I had a headgasket go and you could barely notice it....sounded a little funny, rpm wise... and thats about it . Only way I found out is my radiator had a small crack (thought i fixed it....guess not..:D) and it got bigger and overheated....opend the cap and it was constantly bubbling over.....

Mine never overheated. I'd lose about a quart of coolant every two weeks or so. I drive between 250-300 miles per week on average and during that time I was running a rather large tune in my truck.

Mine never overheated. I'd lose about a quart of coolant every two weeks or so. I drive between 250-300 miles per week on average and during that time I was running a rather large tune in my truck.

How were heads etc? Sounds like it was or couldve been a VERY EXPENSIVE one...

The head was fine. Only one gasket failed and the dealer sent the head out to get checked. They did mine under warranty so it only cost me $100.00 plus car rental.

yea its not overheating, but if you have to keep adding coolant it is defintely using it, and if not using it you would see a big leak.

that is alot of coolant being added and not knowing were it is going would scare me.

change the oil immediatly, water reduces lubricity of the oil and chances are w/a blown head you got coolant in w/the oil