Keeps blowing head gasket?

TRACY NOWLIN

MEMBER
2002 DODGE RAM
5.9L
V8
2WD
AUTOMATIC
200,000 MILES

My son changed the head gasket and manifold gasket when he borrowed my truck, he said it blew the head gasket. So, when I got it back it kept overheating, so I completely flushed the system and burped it thought it was fixed oh yeah and I removed the thermostat. It did okay for a few days then I noticed that it was overheating again and no heat from heater. I pulled over to let it cool off and was going to start it and it made this grinding noise and acted like it was vapor locked. I kept bumping it over and it finally started got it home and the head gasket was blown again. I flushed the system and used blue devil, it worked beautifully for 24 hours, and it made the grinding noise and acted vapor locked again and blew gasket. Any clues what could be going on? I can't afford a mechanic so I'm doing it myself. I just pulled water pump and it has oil coming from bottom right bolt hole. Please help.

1 Reply

KEN L

MASTER CERTIFIED MECHANIC
47,643 POSTS

It sounds like you may have a cracked cylinder head, or the head gasket job was done incorrectly. You must clean the gasket surfaces completely if the gasket is to seal. Here are the instructions on how to change the head gasket out. Please upload images of any question you may have. The oil from the water pump bolt might be normal but when you have it apart check the back side of the timing cover to make sure the wrong bolt was not installed. Check out the images (below). Please let us know what happens.

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