96 RT-10 Head Gaskets?

[malcoll]

I have a 1996 RT/10..... I recently read the archives on head gasket failures.
Recently I have three times gotten near the Viper after having driven and noticed a distinct coolant smell? Each time I opened the hood and searched under the car and found no puddles.... and no obvious leakage.
Is it possible that I have a head gasket failure? Have many 1996 RT owners had the problem show up? I do have an extended warranty, and the car has a tick over 30K miles?
Thanks,
Lance

 

[ruckdr]

Lance,
You have Email.

Later,

 

[malcoll]

Don, I checked my PM... nothing in there? Did you send to my home e-mail address?
Thanks,
Lance

 

[Toby]

Keep us informed. I would like to see if this car does have head gasket problems as I almost purchased the car myself.

 

[Tomer]

Lance, the 96 RT/10s (I have one also) are subject to head gasket leaks. Your symptom (smell) is consistent with the failure...Usually they don't leak enough to leave puddles on the floor...Have a Viper tech check her out, or if you can safely get under the car, look at the top of the block where it meets the head, and look for coolant tracks...I have seen some that are just 2-3 inches long, and the tracks were actually a light brown colour...

Good move on the extended warranty!!

Tomer

 

[ubnbit]

Malcoll,

The exact same thing happened to me! I thought it was my head gaskets too, but it was not. Turns out that the coolant crossover housing had pits in it and the gaskets were not sealing right. My viper tech replaced the coolant crossover housing and everything is perfect!

 

[HP]

The steel coolant tube that runs above the drivers side
exhaust is prone to rust where it mates to the hoses.
If you catch it soon enough, you can just sand, remove rust,
and paint.

 

[ruckdr]

Lance,
I sent to the email address in your profile
[email protected]
Later,

 

[malcoll]

Tomer,
Do I recall correctly that you were about to undergo the Arrow rebuild earlier this year (2002)?
You and I spoke about you POSSIBLY selling your 1996 because you were considering moving to So Cal to be nearer your wife's family? I could be recalling another conversation, with someone else?
At any rate.. the extended warranty was a deal clincher for me. I am extremely anal about my cars..... and this one fit the bill perfectly. The engine was so clean you could eat off it.
And, I would be happy to have an Arrow rebuild through the warranty! From researching the archives it seems the 23 upgrades that are part of the rebuild are definite improvements.
I have not identified any coolant tracks in the valley under the intake manifold........ but I am going to get him up on a life and check out the underside soon.

 

[Toby]

Make sure you transferred that warranty correctly and ASAP before going any further.

 

[malcoll]

I went down to my local dealership...... they sell Vipers and have a Tech..... and paid my $50.

I am going to wait until I get the transferred paperwork before I set an appointment to have it checked by the dealer.

Thanks,

Lance