Coolant in oil, 5.9L

Took my '01 Dakota R/T out to run some errands. Shortly after leaving my 1st stop, the Check Guages light came on. Temp gauge was near, but not past, the hot indicator then started rising so I pulled off at the next side street and shut it off. Truck had been running fine up to this point. Checked the coolant tank and it was empty though I couldn't see any leaks and there were no puddles.

While looking things over, I started hearing light bubbling sounds that steadily grew stronger and then I started to see smoke or steam coming out the air intake. I removed the air ducting, which was quite hot, and determined it was steam coming up through the crankcase vent. Checked the oil lipstick and, sure enough, chocolate milk.

Got it towed home and drained the oil. Got a couple quarts of coolant followed by more chocolate milk. I don't know exactly when the coolant leak occurred, but the mixture wasn't frothy so I don't think it ran like that much.

Question is whether there is any test to tell if it's just a head gasket or something worse like a cracked head or block. I'm thinking not and I'll need to pull it apart for a physical inspection.

Last thing I need is another major project, especially now that it's getting hot and rainy here. It's parked out of the way for now, but it's not in a convenient place to work on it. Might be a bit before I can work on it so are there any near-term steps I should take to minimize effects of getting coolant in the crankcase?

Cracked heads was kinda the norm on those. Worst case cheapskate repair in a pinch? Irontite.

RemCharger said:

Cracked heads was kinda the norm on those. Worst case cheapskate repair in a pinch? Irontite.

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The cracks are usually just superficial between the valves. I haven't seen many that were cracked enough to leak coolant. Usually a head gasket.

Could be the timing chain cover. Seen many that corroded in the coolant passages and develop a pin hole pissing coolant onto the timing chain.

T2R9 said:

Could be the timing chain cover. Seen many that corroded in the coolant passages and develop a pin hole pissing coolant onto the timing chain.

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Good point. The intake gaskets weren't so hot either.

The water pump housing had an external leak on the driver's side at the block a few years ago. I pulled the pump housing and timing cover and replaced all the gaskets and the timing set. Not a lot of miles on it since then, but it's possible that it let go again.