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

101,625

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
    19,880
  • #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
6,192 Great Deals out of 133,581 listings starting at $1,100
Used Chevrolet Silverado 1500
4,277 Great Deals out of 131,637 listings starting at $1,000
Used GMC Sierra 1500
1,920 Great Deals out of 66,487 listings starting at $875
Used Dodge RAM 2500
71 Great Deals out of 1,106 listings starting at $3,500
Used Toyota Tundra
1,125 Great Deals out of 33,010 listings starting at $3,000
Used Toyota Tacoma
2,022 Great Deals out of 32,990 listings starting at $2,990
Used Chevrolet Silverado 2500HD
1,083 Great Deals out of 30,885 listings starting at $1,350
Used Ford F-250 Super Duty
1,388 Great Deals out of 42,644 listings starting at $2,000
Used Jeep Grand Cherokee
2,655 Great Deals out of 50,806 listings starting at $900
Used Dodge Durango
845 Great Deals out of 21,672 listings starting at $550
Used Jeep Wrangler
3,313 Great Deals out of 59,568 listings starting at $3,000

Used Cars for Sale

2010 Dodge RAM 1500 For Sale
20 Great Deals out of 261 listings starting at $3,995
2009 Dodge RAM 1500 For Sale
13 Great Deals out of 178 listings starting at $1,700
2008 Dodge RAM 1500 For Sale
13 Great Deals out of 203 listings starting at $995
2007 Dodge RAM 1500 For Sale
10 Great Deals out of 175 listings starting at $1,800
2006 Dodge RAM 1500 For Sale
12 Great Deals out of 173 listings starting at $2,300

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.