2006 Head Gasket?

[PDEVVOLTAR]

May have a blown head gasket. Got the signature "milkshake" in oil. Any suggestions on a quick fix, can't do full repair until next payday. And how long would it take to replace the gasket in a home garage, no lift or specialty tools.
Thanks in advance.

 

[mrlavalamp]

how long it will all take is subjective to your experience and skill.

I would expect it to take an entire weekend for your average shade tree mechanic, including lots of time for beer and food breaks and dont forget to factor in running to and from the parts store for that 1 thing you forgot the last four times you were there.

Any "quick fix" for headgasket failure is going to be bad in the long run, either by damaging other components directly or by leading the driver into false sense of security and then they drive it to overheat (which WILL kill your engine).

Frankly, I would park it and find another way to get around until I could fix it.

 

[PDEVVOLTAR]

how long it will all take is subjective to your experience and skill.

I would expect it to take an entire weekend for your average shade tree mechanic, including lots of time for beer and food breaks and dont forget to factor in running to and from the parts store for that 1 thing you forgot the last four times you were there.

Any "quick fix" for headgasket failure is going to be bad in the long run, either by damaging other components directly or by leading the driver into false sense of security and then they drive it to overheat (which WILL kill your engine).

Frankly, I would park it and find another way to get around until I could fix it.

It is parked, just trying to find something short term until I can get the repair in budget. Thanks for the advice

 

[mrlavalamp]

the best thing you could do while you wait for funding is to go get the service manual (which we arent supposed to link but can be found easy enough googling).

Review the service manual procedure and look for the special tools/steps you need to get the job done. You can usually search up the names/numbers they give and find a redneck engineered equivalent, or recommendations for standard rentals that will do the job.

I have not done a headgasket on my KJ yet, knock on wood, but I have done them on dozens of other vehicles.

Usually the hardest part for me is getting crank bolt off (holding the crank still can be tricky, and these are usually REALLY tight), and then when re-assembling getting the timing system back together and rotating it several times to be sure you have correct timing is critical.

When you get the heads off, you can check them for plane with a GOOD straightedge and feeler gauges, but I almost always end up taking it to the machine shop anyways to have it planed down for peace of mind. Would really suck if you get all the way through reassembly and then running it only to have that warpage be just a hair too much and you are stuck doing it again.

The block should not need to be decked, but be sure to check it just in case (straightedge and feelers).

Also, be on the lookout for other items that would be convenient to change now while you have it all apart (rad hoses, water pump, thermostat, spark plugs, timing chain and guides etc).

 

[PDEVVOLTAR]

the best thing you could do while you wait for funding is to go get the service manual (which we arent supposed to link but can be found easy enough googling).

Review the service manual procedure and look for the special tools/steps you need to get the job done. You can usually search up the names/numbers they give and find a redneck engineered equivalent, or recommendations for standard rentals that will do the job.

I have not done a headgasket on my KJ yet, knock on wood, but I have done them on dozens of other vehicles.

Usually the hardest part for me is getting crank bolt off (holding the crank still can be tricky, and these are usually REALLY tight), and then when re-assembling getting the timing system back together and rotating it several times to be sure you have correct timing is critical.

When you get the heads off, you can check them for plane with a GOOD straightedge and feeler gauges, but I almost always end up taking it to the machine shop anyways to have it planed down for peace of mind. Would really suck if you get all the way through reassembly and then running it only to have that warpage be just a hair too much and you are stuck doing it again.

The block should not need to be decked, but be sure to check it just in case (straightedge and feelers).

Also, be on the lookout for other items that would be convenient to change now while you have it all apart (rad hoses, water pump, thermostat, spark plugs, timing chain and guides etc).

Thank you for the advice. Another question came, do I have to replace the head bolts? I've seen gasket sets with and without, what is recommended/suggested?

 

[mrlavalamp]

you shouldn't need to, but you should inspect them once out and be ready just in case (this is one of those 4 random parts store trips you may end up making ).

You want to look for any stretch in the bolt or any spots where it has necked down due to stretch.

Easiest way is to compare the bolts to each other side by side when you have them out, the bolts should be exactly the same size and shape and if any are not they need replaced. They are sold in a set anyways, so if you replace one replace them all, and at that point I would replace both sides because chances are some knucklehead over torqued them to cause the stretch.

 

[J33Pfan]

you shouldn't need to, but you should inspect them once out and be ready just in case (this is one of those 4 random parts store trips you may end up making ).

You want to look for any stretch in the bolt or any spots where it has necked down due to stretch.

Easiest way is to compare the bolts to each other side by side when you have them out, the bolts should be exactly the same size and shape and if any are not they need replaced. They are sold in a set anyways, so if you replace one replace them all, and at that point I would replace both sides because chances are some knucklehead over torqued them to cause the stretch.

What brand head bolt do you use and are they still available at Mopar?

 

[tommudd]

Thank you for the advice. Another question came, do I have to replace the head bolts? I've seen gasket sets with and without, what is recommended/suggested?

Yes you always should replace the head bolts to obtain a good seal

 

[ltd02]

Replace the headbolts. I used a Felpro set on my 02 years ago. They worked great. Had the heads checked, cleaned and resurfaced.

 

[dillon]

where in SC are you located? Also, a blown head gasket is almost always the symptom of another problem so you may want to find out why it blew so it will not do it again. I've had probably a good 10 of these 3.7's apart and the job isn't horrible.

 

[Ryback]

May have a blown head gasket. Got the signature "milkshake" in oil. Any suggestions on a quick fix, can't do full repair until next payday. And how long would it take to replace the gasket in a home garage, no lift or specialty tools.
Thanks in advance.

I can send you the service manual if you like..I can upload somewhere. Just pm me.Also anyone else who needs it.

 

[PDEVVOLTAR]

Thanks, got one downloaded. Trying to find one for my son. 07 Dodge Nitro. Engine is the same, jusy not sure for the rest of the systems. Any idea where I can find one?

 

[PDEVVOLTAR]

where in SC are you located? Also, a blown head gasket is almost always the symptom of another problem so you may want to find out why it blew so it will not do it again. I've had probably a good 10 of these 3.7's apart and the job isn't horrible.

In Florence, plan in working on it in Sumter.