Headgaskets & Extended Warranties

[Roadkill]

I've been reading the archives and doing a lot of research on vipers in the last month, and i've been running into some conflicting information that I was hoping the board might be able to clear up.

1. Headgaskets.. This is a known failure point it seems.. From what I've read, most gen I cars will have this problem at some point. A couple questions I have for this though.. A)Does this mean you have to have a engine rebuilt if your head gaskets go or does it mean you can just get your head gaskets replaced???
B) In reading the Viper changes over the years, this site claims that head gasket material was changed in late model 94 vipers. Does this mean that those with the new material in late 94 are not affected by leaking? C) is there any way of looking from the outside of the engine and determining type of head gasket/ material used? If not, is there a certain vin## where all vins past that point used the new material?

2. Extended Warranties.. Does anyone know the criteria requirements to get an extended warranty on a purchase of a used Viper? This instance would be applied to a 1994 with 27k miles. The main interest of course is caused by all the reading about the head gasket failure rate.

Thanks!
-Bruce

 

[joe117]

I have a 94. The engine in mine has been changed, a couple of years ago, for gaskets. I would be very useful if everyone who had head gasket problems with a 94, would give their VIN and the mileage at failure. If there is a cut off, where the gaskets stopped failing, we might be able to figure it out.

 

[ruckdr]

Bruce, Joe,

I don't know when the Gen1 gaskets changed, but all Gen1's (through 1996 RT/10's) have 'fiber' gaskets and they can/will leak. I am in the process of changing mine as we speak, with the double metal(standard replacement) head gaskets. Gen2 gaskets are OK. You can see part of the head gasket between the bottom of the head and the block, and you can determine the gasket type, fiber or metal. I think part of the problem, in my case, is the low miles (7000), and the amount of time the car sat around prior to my purchase. Vin # .....773 of 780, RT/10's for 1996.
See pictures:

Coolant drips

Visible Gasket

 

[pjb]

the headgaskets on my 93 were changed over to the newer ones a few months ago. all the work was done under warranty

ruckdr posted some great pics, and i have my old gaskets as well. i was surprised to see how deteriorated they were. almost like a dog chewed on them! not sure about the cutoff date for warranties, but they are definitely worth it. gives you the extra piece of mind knowing the new gaskets are in there. good luck.

 

[Don Hiltz]

Rucdr,

Those pictures were great. My '94 recently had an Arrow rebuild, so I wasn't there to see the process and actually visualize the head gaskets. Moreover, the taletale tracks on my block were dried and a faded green in color. I never saw any antifreeze.


Joe,

Mine was done at 28K miles, but I have no idea as to how long the problem was present before my Viper tech drew my attention to it.

The concensus seems to be that it's not a matter of "if", but "when" the Gen I head gaskets will fail.

Don

 

[Birvini]

Here's my info,

Headgaskets went bad around 13,500 miles. Last six numbers of vin, 101712.

 

[garolittle]

"Ask not if, but when Gen I head gaskets will leak." Call Jon B. at Parts Rack (360-837-3974) and he will give you the whole story. Also, Parts Rack is an excellent source for your Viper mechanical/accessory needs.

 

[Yves]

13,500 miles 94 RT/10.
Tossed in GenII gaskets. Everything fine now.

 

[Tom F&L GoR]

55,000 miles on '94 102485... original gaskets.