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'94 Spirit 2.5 bubbles in coolant- head gasket?UPDATE
#1531162
11/10/13 11:42 AM
11/10/13 11:42 AM
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Joined: Jan 2003
Posts: 1,412
E Central IN
nd65
OP
pro stock
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OP
pro stock
Joined: Jan 2003
Posts: 1,412
E Central IN
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Been experiencing excessive pressure in my cooling system on my 1994 Dodge Spirit with a 2.5 4 cyl.
With the radiator cap off you can see a few bubbles coming out of the radiator. I cannot see any signs of coolant in the oil or white smoke out the tail pipe.
I am guessing a bad head gasket or cracked head. I have never had the head off a 4 cylinder but I do have the factory service manual for this car.
How tough are these to change? Any tips or tricks to ease the job?
Thanks.
Last edited by nd65; 11/16/13 07:59 PM.
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Re: '94 Spirit 2.5 bubbles in coolant- head gasket?
[Re: nd65]
#1531164
11/10/13 12:05 PM
11/10/13 12:05 PM
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Joined: Feb 2012
Posts: 4,452
Morristown Tn.
71birdJ68
master
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master
Joined: Feb 2012
Posts: 4,452
Morristown Tn.
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Sounds like a head gasket. The Neons had that problem.Usualy the water goes out the tail pipe, thats why you don't see it in the oil.I would hear mine gurgle after I shut it off, the pressure in the cylinder was pressurizing the system. Usually the gasket will break between one of the cylinders.Have someone do a leak down test to confirm it though. The only thing that makes it hard is everything is so compact and tight.If that is the problem it will get worse, and then bam all of the water will go right out of the tail pipe, and you will be sitting on the side of the road. The timing belt and water pump needs changing every 105,000, so if your close to that, it would be better to do it all. There are other things to look at, but how many miles and what kind of oil do you use? I have 450,000 on my Neon, so I kinda know whats up with them.
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Re: '94 Spirit 2.5 bubbles in coolant- head gasket?
[Re: 135sohc]
#1531173
11/11/13 12:39 AM
11/11/13 12:39 AM
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Joined: Aug 2011
Posts: 1,083
SE PA
Yellow Fever
super stock
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super stock
Joined: Aug 2011
Posts: 1,083
SE PA
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Re: '94 Spirit 2.5 bubbles in coolant- UPDATE
[Re: 135sohc]
#1531176
11/16/13 07:56 PM
11/16/13 07:56 PM
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Joined: Jan 2003
Posts: 1,412
E Central IN
nd65
OP
pro stock
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OP
pro stock
Joined: Jan 2003
Posts: 1,412
E Central IN
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I have the head off and on the bench. I could see a small area on the gasket that had failed.
I checked for flatness per the book and it checked ok.
I do see something that concerns me and do not know how to post pics.
Between each combustion chamber is a small angled hole. There are 3 total. This hole is next to a triangular hole. They all have a small crack from the small hole to the triangular hole. Is this a problem? Is the head junk?
Thanks,
Last edited by nd65; 11/16/13 07:57 PM.
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Re: '94 Spirit 2.5 bubbles in coolant- head gasket?
[Re: 71birdJ68]
#1531177
11/17/13 12:39 AM
11/17/13 12:39 AM
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Joined: Feb 2003
Posts: 1,532
crisfield, maryland 21817
82ramIndy493
pro stock
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pro stock
Joined: Feb 2003
Posts: 1,532
crisfield, maryland 21817
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Quote:
Do EXACTLY as the book says.Go to O'Rillies and get the Gates brand timing belt kit, comes with a belt and idler. Then go to federated stores and buy a water pump. When you are ready to reinstall the blancher put it in the oven at around 125 degrees for and hour, so it will just slip on the crank. If you dint think you can handle it, ask around and get someone to help set the timing correctly. Oh, there is no distributor,so don't worry about that.
I don't know where your info comes from but there is a distributor in the 94 2.5's. My dad drives one every day and I do all the repair and service to it. The heating of a blancher REALLY throws me. What in the world is it? You don't have to heat to install or remove anything on a 2.5. The crank gear requires a puller and installer but its not necessary to replace a timing belt. All you have to remove is the crank pulley.
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Re: '94 Spirit 2.5 bubbles in coolant- UPDATE
[Re: nd65]
#1531179
11/17/13 12:45 AM
11/17/13 12:45 AM
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Joined: Feb 2003
Posts: 1,532
crisfield, maryland 21817
82ramIndy493
pro stock
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pro stock
Joined: Feb 2003
Posts: 1,532
crisfield, maryland 21817
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Quote:
I have the head off and on the bench. I could see a small area on the gasket that had failed.
I checked for flatness per the book and it checked ok.
I do see something that concerns me and do not know how to post pics.
Between each combustion chamber is a small angled hole. There are 3 total. This hole is next to a triangular hole. They all have a small crack from the small hole to the triangular hole. Is this a problem? Is the head junk?
Thanks,
It can be a problem if the cracks run near the head gasket sealing ring area. I have seen this condition on many 2.2 and 2.5 heads. I personally would let a machine shop pressure test it and do a reweld and resurface if necessary. The head will definately seal better. You may also se small cracks between the intake and exhaust valves. This is common but not a threat. I would have the head redone or get a reman depending on what you want to spend.
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