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mhall02
Dodge Dakota
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12/30/2004
17:43:19
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 Subject: intake gasket or head gasket?
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Alright, here is the scoop. I have a '91 Dakota with the pre-mag 3.9 V-6. I noticed since mid-October a slow tiny antifreeze leak (I have added about 3/4 of a gallon of antifreeze total so far). I looks like it starts at the top passenger side of the timing chain cover, trickles down the passenger side of the front of the engine and drips under the engine. When the engine is warm, there is no leak, however, after sitting overnight or on really cold days, it drips a little antifreeze. If it is warm out overnight, I don't think it drips at all. My question is two fold, first is it the head gasket or intake gasket? So far no antifreeze in the oil, appears to be external. Secondly, is it really worth getting fixed? Lets see, I've added 3/4 gallon of antifreeze (probabally less than $4 worth) in 2.5 months and I've been told $800 to install an intake gasket? Humm, on a truck that is probabally only worth $1,500 - $2,000 tops, I think I'll keep adding a little antifreeze now and then. What do you guys think? Has anyone else experienced this problem? Your input is appreciated!!
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vern
Dodge Dakota
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12/30/2004
18:32:39
| RE: intake gasket or head gasket?
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Message:
sounds like the timimg chain/water pump housing,
try tighting the bolts some,my 89 dak does it once and awhile[theres a couple bolts that goes into the water jacket]
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mhall02
Dodge Dakota
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12/30/2004
22:56:06
| RE: intake gasket or head gasket?
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Message:
OK, I'll check these out tomorrow, anybody else?
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J and J Auto
GenII
12/31/2004
07:45:52
| RE: intake gasket or head gasket?
IP: Logged
Message:
check the bypass hose behind water pump
thermo housing gaskit
$800 for an intake gasket is way over priced for
2 to 3 hours work and only around $40 for the
gaskets
Larry
J&J Auto
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mhall02
Dodge Dakota
JOIN HERE
12/31/2004
09:33:49
| RE: intake gasket or head gasket?
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Message:
OK, 2-3 hours to do an intake gasket, the guy must have been shooting from the hip on that cost estimate. How about a head gasket? I'm looking at worst case scenarios here, the leak appears to be between the block and the timing chain cover, it doesn't appear to originate from the front side of the cover, but the back, where it butts up to the engine block. I did tighten the clamp on the bypass hose a few weeks ago and the leak doesn't seem to come from the theromstat gasket, it leaks on the other side (passenger side) of the engine and drips down this side, not the drivers side where the the thermostat cover resides. Once again I need to check the water pump bolts, I installed a new one about a year ago so who knows, that would be a cheap fix. I'll keep you posted.
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mhall02
Dodge Dakota
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1/04/2005
09:17:23
| RE: intake gasket or head gasket?
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Message:
Well, after tightening up the water pump bolts Friday, I have not seen any antifreeze under the truck. I was able to tighten one bolt maybe 1/2 to 3/4 of a turn, the other was pretty snug. We will see, here in Missouri we have had some unusually warm weather for late Dec. early Jan, it was 37 this morning before the sun came up, so we will see if its drips when it gets really cold, but Vern you may have saved me some time and money!!
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vern
Dodge Dakota
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1/04/2005
09:55:42
| RE: intake gasket or head gasket?
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Message:
glad i may helped,
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mhall02
Dodge Dakota
JOIN HERE
1/06/2005
09:23:52
| Vern, your the man!!
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Message:
Yep, not a drop has leaked out of the truck since I have tightened the water pump bolts. Got down into the low 20s last night, ice and a tiny bit of snow, but no leaking antifreeze!! I can't believe that was all it was. Thanks again Vern!!
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