99 dodge ram 2500 turbo diesel. 5.9 24v. 

 

I am curious if this is a head gasket or freeze plug leak. its leaking coolant from back of block. tech reckons plug. That corrosion however looks ominous. Ive been quoted $2600 to repair with removing head etc. the pics are from below. As a complete novice can i drive the truck to another shop for a 2nd estimate. 

No. Shouldn't have to mess with retorquing the head much. The studs are harder than stock. Even ARP mentions in the docs not to retorque.

54 minutes ago, Mopar1973Man said:

No. Shouldn't have to mess with retorquing the head much. The studs are harder than stock. Even ARP mentions in the docs not to retorque.

I am talking stock studs Mike....... because they stretch shouldn't we be carefully retorquing them anytime the valve cover is off? .

 

As long as my question doesn't start an impeachment hearing and pics of Jag1 surrounded by donkies everything is alright.

Edited November 30, 20195 yr by JAG1

Jag1, Donkies, Hmmmm!!

Should'a retorqued.

 

Edited November 30, 20195 yr by dripley

That's me after they started impeachment proceedings from the Mopar Forum. After that I could not find a lick of work for myself.

21 hours ago, Mopar1973Man said:

Head gasket for sure. Mine leaked in the same spot. Its head curl. 425 ARP studs will fix that problem.

 

Thanks. Do you mean pull and repair the head gasket and then use 425 ARP studs instead of bolts? 

 

Anyone n my neck of the woods you can recommend?

Edited November 30, 20195 yr by sam

Pull the head send it to machine shop have the valves and guides done. Then have the head surfaced flat. Then pickup the studs.

 

Mine was about $2,000 to be done, 18 valve guides, valves lapped, and surfaced flat. Head gasket and studs.

1 minute ago, Mopar1973Man said:

Pull the head send it to machine shop have the valves and guides done. Then have the head surfaced flat. Then pickup the studs.

 

Mine was about $2,000 to be done, 18 valve guides, valves lapped, and surfaced flat. Head gasket and studs.

 

I will get to the shop ASAP if i can get that sort of deal!!

29 minutes ago, sam said:

 

I will get to the shop ASAP if i can get that sort of deal!!

sam, your in Everett wa. There is a group of 2nd gen owners up there around there called NW Bombers. There is a guy with a private shop in Arlington on a ten acre place. I cannot remember his name, but has a real nice private shop and he is a real good guy. I would try talking with him on the NW Bombers forum see if you can get him to do the work. Everyone knows who he is in Arlington up there. He is one to be trusted with your work for sure. He has to do it in his spare time I know, but his work is neat and organized and thorough 

 

Mopar Man won't even answer question about retorquing old bolts. 

Edited November 30, 20195 yr by JAG1

Thanks JAG. Is there a link online to the forum i want to be in?. I am wiling to travel as i dont need the truck until spring really. Arlington is just around the corner. I do have an appt for a 2nd estimate on 16th Dec at a diesel shop. 

44 minutes ago, sam said:

 

I will get to the shop ASAP if i can get that sort of deal!!

Mike pulled and replaced the head himself. The 2k was for machine work and parts. I only spent $1400 on mine but did not do the studs and and valve guides were fine in my head. I provided all my labor as Mike did.

Edited November 30, 20195 yr by dripley

Figured Mike did the work himself. My 1st estimate was $2600 got another estimate on 16th. Thanks. 

Thinking of doing it yourself then?

No I am not thinking about doing it myself. Hoping to get good work for a fair price. 

 

Also i am willing to drive to a good shop within reason. 

Edited November 30, 20195 yr by sam

2,000 is doing the job yourself. Might be doubling that figure for a shop to do the work.

sam, just look up N.W. Bombers diesel truck forums and join in the conversation about finding a local shop, but do mention that I said something about 'Hoss' a NW member in Arlington on a ten acre place. He's a real nice guy with an amazing shop. He helps a lot of people, but you want to be fair with him about money and take good care of his labor too.  Amazing I remembered his name..... everyone calls him that. His wifes coffee is the best too.

 

One last note; I have seen Hoss do 24 valve removal and replacements..... probably more times than he remembers.

Edited December 1, 20195 yr by JAG1

4 hours ago, JAG1 said:

sam, just look up N.W. Bombers diesel truck forums and join in the conversation about finding a local shop, but do mention that I said something about 'Hoss' a NW member in Arlington on a ten acre place. He's a real nice guy with an amazing shop. He helps a lot of people, but you want to be fair with him about money and take good care of his labor too.  Amazing I remembered his name..... everyone calls him that. His wifes coffee is the best too.

 

One last note; I have seen Hoss do 24 valve removal and replacements..... probably more times than he remembers.

 

Thanks Jag really appreciate that you took the time to help me out. I found the guy but i cant post anything until i get approval on nwbombers.com which may take some time  BTW i got a 2nd estimate of 3k ballapark from a shop nearby. 

I didn't know they require an approval now. Haven't been on the forum there for a very long time as Mopar1073Man has been a very big help for reliability and good down home advice. for many of us here. This place has been simply tremendous. If you get into the articles sam you will find why this place is first and foremost above all the diesel forums.  

Yes retourge old bolts any time heads off, new up grades bolts would definitely be wanted.

Yes 2000 would be way cheap to get the head done. 3500-4000k to do.

 

However 2000 seems high to do it yourself. But that's not pricing machine work and valve parts, just me thinking I could do it under 2k not k ow f what it truly cost for parts or machining.

I spent $1400. I did reuse the stock bolts and maching was minmal. That included my garage.

Been doing some digging on remanned heads also overseas heads (new)

 

I'd still be at 2k after buying studs and head gasket. Probly closer to 2200 2400

Could potentially fix it by touring bolts slight tigether by a couple lbs