Weird coolant leak at head.

[Diboblo]

So... while cleaning and inspecting the Cat, I discovered a weird coolant leak.

Right side head, front, just inboard of the freeze plug. Looks like a hairline crack. Noticed it a couple of weeks ago and took a plastic trim tool to it, then scrubbed with nylon brush and hot water.

At the time, it was dark out and I couldn't get a good look at what was going on. Well, last night, I fished my phone down there and got a pretty good pic. Sure enough... not the freeze plug, like I thought it was. Ugh...

Just dropped it off at the dealer. Right away, they are committing to a new head. That's good news, at least.

Check out the photos, below. Anyone have experience, with this particular failure?

Bob

 

[Hellcatcfp]

Subscribed. Strange. What mileage?

 

[coolblue]

So... while cleaning and inspecting the Cat, I discovered a weird coolant leak.

Right side head, front, just inboard of the freeze plug. Looks like a hairline crack. Noticed it a couple of weeks ago and took a plastic trim tool to it, then scrubbed with nylon brush and hot water.

At the time, it was dark out and I couldn't get a good look at what was going on. Well, last night, I fished my phone down there and got a pretty good pic. Sure enough... not the freeze plug, like I thought it was. Ugh...

Just dropped it off at the dealer. Right away, they are committing to a new head. That's good news, at least.

Check out the photos, below. Anyone have experience, with this particular failure?

Bob

If they are committing to new head right away no questions asked, maybe that means something?

 

[Demoniccat]

Possible Core shift during casting process causing thin wall stress riser ?

 

[coolblue]

So... while cleaning and inspecting the Cat, I discovered a weird coolant leak.

Right side head, front, just inboard of the freeze plug. Looks like a hairline crack. Noticed it a couple of weeks ago and took a plastic trim tool to it, then scrubbed with nylon brush and hot water.

At the time, it was dark out and I couldn't get a good look at what was going on. Well, last night, I fished my phone down there and got a pretty good pic. Sure enough... not the freeze plug, like I thought it was. Ugh...

Just dropped it off at the dealer. Right away, they are committing to a new head. That's good news, at least.

Check out the photos, below. Anyone have experience, with this particular failure?

Bob

@DGatzby . U say you got a mystery anti-freeze smell on the RE to go with the pulley failure. Area to check?

 

[1971demon]

@DGatzby . U say you got a mystery anti-freeze smell on the RE to go with the pulley failure. Area to check?

Man...none of this sounds good

 

[coolblue]

Man...none of this sounds good

Funny thing. heads stamped "OK" right in front of the crack.

 

[1971demon]

Funny thing. heads stamped "OK" right in front of the crack.

is there an lol near that OK???

 

[coolblue]

is there an lol near that OK???

Hey it was Friday on the assembly line. (Sorry @Diboblo not making light....that does SUCK). But they are owning it and fixing it, so that gives me some hope for manufacturer warrantees.

 

[Confuzed1]

Whoa.....thankfully I think thats rare...looks like it probably started out as some kind of casting flaw. Replacing the head is the only real fix....which sucks. I'd be nicer if they just replaced the pair if you have any amount of miles on it.....

EDIT: or maybe they cracked it on the assembly line while stamping that damn "OK" on the freeze plug boss.....

 

[Diboblo]

Subscribed. Strange. What mileage?

61k

Bob

 

[Diboblo]

If they are committing to new head right away no questions asked, maybe that means something?

The service writer is a straight shooter. A no frills kind of guy. All business... and has taken care of a few issues on my HC and the wifes Grand Cherokee TH.

I'll find out, tomorrow, what's going on and let you guys know.

Bob

 

[DGatzby]

@DGatzby . U say you got a mystery anti-freeze smell on the RE to go with the pulley failure. Area to check?

Thanks! They have checked and at my request checked again. The mystery leak remains a mystery. I am going to go get it myself and torture it for a while today.

 

[BULL]

Thanks! They have checked and at my request checked again. The mystery leak remains a mystery. I am going to go get it myself and torture it for a while today.

Status?

 

[DGatzby]

Status?

I am good. This one looks solid now and don't smell or leak. Damn strange! I believe it will go to Road America in two weeks less the Petty Brace however. I want to evaluate this one thing at a time now, something don't add up.

 

[Stormtrooper1320]

Thanks! They have checked and at my request checked again. The mystery leak remains a mystery. I am going to go get it myself and torture it for a while today.

WHOA!!!!!!!!!!!!!!! WHOA just a minute!!!! I can tell you from personal experience that we are no longer allowed to use the word "torture". You are going to take your car out and subject it to "enhanced interrogation".....which....according to some alleged news outlets....doesn't work. But they're lying.

Now...go forth and "enhance interrogate" away

 

[DGatzby]

WHOA!!!!!!!!!!!!!!! WHOA just a minute!!!! I can tell you from personal experience that we are no longer allowed to use the word "torture". You are going to take your car out and subject it to "enhanced interrogation".....which....according to some alleged news outlets....doesn't work. But they're lying.

Now...go forth and "enhance interrogate" away

Okay, sorry, I explored some of the enhanced performance features and instrumentation contained within the package. This should come easy. I already have spoke with three attorneys today!

 

[Stormtrooper1320]

Okay, sorry, I explored some of the enhanced performance features and instrumentation contained within the package. This should come easy. I already have spoke with three attorneys today!

hey.....as long as you had fun!

 

[Speedy!]

Odd indeed. I've not heard of this before. Do the SRT models use the same heads?

 

[Diboblo]

Dealer pressure tested the block.

Leaked like a mofo.

New head on order.

Picking up the car, tomorrow (needs an alignment).

I'll update as updates are updated

Bob