FerranRico

my 93 Dodge W350 5.9L has sprung a coolant leak on the front head gasket, it's comes out around the front bend on the pass side. I thought that it was the water pump.., but upon replacing it and cleaning the coolant that had dried on the block with a wire brush.., and warming the engine again.., it was clear that the leak was from the head gasket..
Oil is clean, so it hasn't got to the inside...
Thus.., I'm facing major $'s for gaskets and seals and labor.., has anybody heard of or tried ThermaGasket from RXAuto?.. they claim that their product will Seal any leak.. $159 vs $2000..?
Any advice?.. should I try it or bite the bullet and have the gasket replaced?
The truck has other issues.. and I'm getting fed up with it.., thinking of buying a 2001 or 2002, but really can't afford to...

wannadiesel

I'd get the gasket replaced. Is the truck stock? Usually stock trucks will only blow the head gasket if they are overheating, so have the thermostat replaced as well.

FerranRico

It has the Banks Turbo with Intercooler, the upgraded fuel injectors for more HP, and the fuel injector pump has been "adjusted"- power screw/star/etc...; it's 4x4, and two months ago the tranny blew all it's fluid out.. and oddly enough the transfer case got stuck on neutral.., being that I was on the highway (300 miles away from home) pulling my 22' trailer with Scrambler CJ-8 on top.., I got raked by AAMCO for a $4500 replacement of tranny And Xfer case..., they said that both were fried..
It has 139K miles on it.., it's never been past the H on the dummy temp gauge.., I don't have a real engine temp gauge.., I do have a Pyro gauge, and it has never seen more than 900 degreees.., even when pulling up a slope..., when I stop.. I wait for it to cool down to 300 degrees before shutting off the engine; that's another thing.., I only get 8 mpg no matter if loaded or not.., it slows down to 40 mph going uphill.., and the temp climbs to close to the H.. which is when I let off the pedal..
That's why I'm thinking of thrashing it.., or driving it with the easy fix until it blows..
I do really like the truck though...

wannadiesel

Sounds like the boost got a little too high then. Past 40 psi is dangerous ground. Not sure why your economy is so lousy. I get 14 in town still.

FerranRico

Nope turbo boost gauge shows 27-29 lbs.., but it still feels like it has no power to go uphill.., it just goes slower and slower..
Anyway.., I'll decide on the easy fix later.., thnaks for your advice..; I don't use the truck that often.., and it sits for months sometimes.., I only use it to pull the Jeep trailer.., and bite the bullett on fuel cost then..

fearthedeere

if your mechanicly inclined (which im not) do it yourself. im doin mine, not too hard if ya take your time.