Head Gasket or More?

Asked by Shannon Oct 01, 2020 at 04:47 AM about the 2003 Dodge RAM 1500

Question type: Maintenance & Repair

I do believe I blew my head gasket. Check
gauge light came on indicating battery was
dead .  Made it home shit it off then on and
light was off under the hood only thing I
could find was a little coolant around rad
cap. Next day no light so I drove 20 miles or
so light came on.inducating battery was
dead . Went home shut it off waited a hour
or so and started it up no light.drive 5 miles
and it started showing temo going up so I
high trailed it home but it did get hot. So I
saw a ad and was wanting to know if I
bought " Steel Seal For Bliown Head Gasket"
was as good as they say it is,? I cant afford
to the amount of money they want to repair
it.if so do I need a new thermostat? I know I
would probably need new antifreeze.Also it
says it does the heater core but my husband
says I need to unhook it to bypass it.Besides
the antifreeze what esle am I going to have
to get? Thermostat? Flush kit for radiator ?  
Hoes? Clamps,??And any opinions on it??
Appricate any ideas..Thank you

1 Answer

101,775

You need to know for a fact you have a blown head gasket. You can try "block tester" available at most auto parts store (some will even loan out a tester). A better method is to do a compression test, you can also rent that from most stores. If you can change a spark plug you can do a compression test. After testing each cylinder you look for one or more that have a grossly lower PSI value indicating a blown gasket. THEN you can proceed with repair plans.

Your Answer:

Own this car?

Share your experience with others.

2003 Dodge RAM 1500

Review another car

CarGurus Experts

  • #1
    Dan Connell
    Reputation
    19,920
  • #2
    dandyoun
    Reputation
    15,170
  • #3
    Gene Arnett
    Reputation
    11,710
View All

Know more, shop wisely

Search

Related Models For Sale

Used Ford F-150
6,121 Great Deals out of 136,389 listings starting at $900
Used Chevrolet Silverado 1500
4,314 Great Deals out of 131,015 listings starting at $750
Used GMC Sierra 1500
2,023 Great Deals out of 68,523 listings starting at $3,795
Used Dodge RAM 2500
61 Great Deals out of 1,093 listings starting at $4,444
Used Toyota Tundra
1,180 Great Deals out of 34,888 listings starting at $3,299
Used Toyota Tacoma
2,113 Great Deals out of 35,605 listings starting at $3,500
Used Chevrolet Silverado 2500HD
1,008 Great Deals out of 31,170 listings starting at $499
Used Dodge Durango
902 Great Deals out of 23,287 listings starting at $1,880
Used Ford F-250 Super Duty
1,359 Great Deals out of 44,010 listings starting at $2,995
Used Jeep Grand Cherokee
2,655 Great Deals out of 53,179 listings starting at $800
Used Jeep Wrangler
3,256 Great Deals out of 62,172 listings starting at $3,999

Used Cars for Sale

2010 Dodge RAM 1500 For Sale
16 Great Deals out of 237 listings starting at $3,495
2009 Dodge RAM 1500 For Sale
20 Great Deals out of 198 listings starting at $2,999
2008 Dodge RAM 1500 For Sale
12 Great Deals out of 192 listings starting at $3,495
2007 Dodge RAM 1500 For Sale
8 Great Deals out of 181 listings starting at $3,495
2006 Dodge RAM 1500 For Sale
8 Great Deals out of 163 listings starting at $1,999

Content submitted by Users is not endorsed by CarGurus, does not express the opinions of CarGurus, and should not be considered reviewed, screened, or approved by CarGurus. Please refer to CarGurus Terms of Use. Content will be removed if CarGurus becomes aware that it violates our policies.