Well, just got back from a 400 mile round trip pulling a 15K boat and spotted a small coolant stain at the right front corner of the block/head area under the hose inlet...thinkin head gasket

 

yep! that's a common place for the cummins gasket to go bad, although mine went bad the opposite corner.......it's really strange, in my time as a mechanic 99 percent of head gasket failures were between cylinders.....

 

I seem to remember between cylinders was the first place to start looking when tearing down...
Not sure if I'll tackle myself or just get it done...

 

first it's just a 4 valve per cylinder straight 6 cylinder , ..

but the head bolts have to be tossed & replaced,. ,!!!!

to torque vie the torque pattern , go 60 lbs 3 times ,
weight 10 min.
go to 90 lbs 3 times
weight 10 min then go to 120 lbs 3 times,.
then hang out for about 20 to 30 min. , then give each bolt 1/2 turn once each ,.
it must be about 200 lbs ,

but it's finale Spec. is left to stretch 1/2 turn past 120 lbs. .
that's when you need a 3/4 in beaker bar with a long *** handle,., like 3 feet..+

the parts are big and heavy , for sure,., i did mine in 2009 , and it's still fine..7 years later.
BTW-
Cummins

, is very proud of there head gaskets,.., like $800.00 for a full engine set.

 

Swapping the head gasket is not that hard if you have a cherry picker. I took my time and did it over a day and a half. Yea, I'm old and slow. Some specs from the service manual:

 

Darn thing isn't using coolant and hasn't re-stained the area I saw it after cleaning it.

I'm watchin it closely, should I just get it over with or drive it til it shows more like failing??

 

Some will quit leaking for a year or two from what I have seen, then start for no good reason. Kind of frustrating! Pretty easy job, engine hoist is a must if your alone. Otherwise I have done them without and another guy. Cleanliness is a must. Some of those years have issues with rocker arm bolts pulling the treads out when reinstalling. I can't remember the tread pitch or size off the top of my head but helicoils work just fine.

 

Thanks for all the advice, guys.

I'm keeping my eye on it for now.