GEN 1 - QUESTION

[RT/ED]

Changed the oil this weekend. While up on the rack, I inspected the sides of the engine block from underneath for signs of antifreeze seepage from the head gaskets. What I found were small traces of oil that had seeped down the sides near the rear of the engine on each side from the head gasket area by the two cylinder bolts to the rear. The leak was VERY minor on both sides, almost dry. Could this be signs of a future head gasket problem? The engine has 8,600 miles on it.

 

[Viperzilla]

Wow! 8,600 miles on a Gen I?!? Sorry I couldn't help you with your Q, just a low mileage Viper that must look nice has me dreaming. Take care, hope it's nothing serious.

 

[BADVENOM]

Changed the oil this weekend. While up on the rack, I inspected the sides of the engine block from underneath for signs of antifreeze seepage from the head gaskets. What I found were small traces of oil that had seeped down the sides near the rear of the engine on each side from the head gasket area by the two cylinder bolts to the rear. The leak was VERY minor on both sides, almost dry. Could this be signs of a future head gasket problem? The engine has 8,600 miles on it.

My 96 rt/10 only had 10,000 miles on it when chuck tator aka "Viperwizard" found the stock gaskets leaking. Its not a big deal. He put the new gaskets on and Good as New. Have it checked.

Adam

 

[Magicboy2]

I've been told that very small trails like that aren't cause for immediate concern.

However, I've also been told that the head gaskets are a "when, not if" type of deal.

-Matt
'94 RT/10

 

[ruckdr]

RD/ET,
As Magicboy said, it is not if, but when the head gaskets fail !!
I did mine last winter, and the car (1996), has 7200 miles. It may be partially to the low miles, like yours, where the car sits and the gaskets harden and dry out.
See a picture:

 

[Vip-RT10]

I had the cylinder sleeves shift at about 10K miles, so that is why I have a new 97 engine in a GEN I.

 

[FRANK]

Ummm who said your cylinder sleeves shifted RT? Was it a mechanic? Dodge? Or Arrow? Just curious...I know that Chuck Tator has yet to see one with cylinder liners that have shifted. I wonder how many DOug Levin has seen shift, if any? Mine did not shift...all I needed were head gaskets...car runs like a million buck with nary a drip.

Also, I noticed the drips on the sides of the block. I had tiny antifreeze puddles on the floor of my shop but if you could see/feel an oily mix of motor oil and antifreeze if you wiped the side of the block dry with your fingers. The new gaskets are FAR superior to the originals.

 

[RT/ED]

Thanks for all of the input guys!! Again, the drips I am seeing are definetely oil, not antifreeze. And it appears that they are all but dried up. Any thoughts about checking the torque of the headbolts as a precaution?

 

[viper spray]

Your valve cover gaskets need to be tightened or replaced.

 

[RT/ED]

The oil dripping is not from the valve covers. In fact, the picture posted above is looks identical to my problem EXCEPT mine is oil not anitifreeze. Again, does anyone think that re-torqueing the headbolts would be a good precaution?

 

[carguy07]

I spoke to Chuck Tator the other day and he mentioned something about having some success re-torqueing head bolts. I don't want to speak for him, so please check with him direct.

 

[joe117]

If you are not leaking coolant, I'd say leave everything alone. Just seems like asking for trouble to mess with something that hasn't gone bad yet. don't torque the head bolts unless you see some minor tracks. I've read posts saying that a re-torque might help at that point.

 

[95Viper]

Ed, I live in Davisburg...less than an hour from you. Re-torqueing the bolts is not a totally simple process. If I was going to do that effort, I'd just go ahead and replace the gaskets and get it over with.