Do dodge stratus cars with the 2.4 engine have bad head gaskets that cause oil leaks?

[eight_kinds_of_hell_454]

The valve cover gasket has already been replaced. Its still leaking, and getting worse!
My fathers 98 stratus with the 2.4 engine is leaking a lot of oil. It seems to be dripping down the back somewhere and the only thing I can think of is head gasket. From my research it appears these engines may have a relatively common problem of oil leaking from the head gaskets. Anyone know anything about this? Is it a hard job to pull the head and replace the gasket on this? It is a dual overhead cam engine.

 

[Keirsten]

in most older engines the cylinder head and the engine block are both made out of different kinds of metal. This would mean that in cold winter temperatures one would take longer to heat up than the other. Driving before the vehicle is completely warmed up could blow the head gasket. it happens sometimes also that the gasket is just too old and no longer in good enough condition to work properly. The leak could also be from the valve cover if you have not already checked there. if there is a common problem with leaking in these vehicles then you should check out some of the higher quality gaskets made for this vehicle. To pull the head and replace the gasket is a job that requires knowledge and skills. and also a service manual. you would need a torque wrench too, because the majority of the bolts being taken off and put back on have a specific torque. if they are to tight or to lose then your wasting your time because its just going to blow the gasket again. if you do it you are also going to need to buy new head bolts because the bolts strech after being tightened. after being removed they tend to break if reused. also if you do it your self make sure you remember where everything goes and which bolt or nut goes where. good luck!

 

[dodge man]

its a pretty good job to pull the head off those cars and replace the head gasket,you have to have the head trued back up anytime you remove it,i own two of those cars and neither one of them have had that problem but i have seen a few that would leak from the corner of the head gasket,at least if you pull the head off have it checked to be sure its true,and don't reuse the old head bolts, replace them with new ones,their stretch bolts and cant be re-used,good luck,

 

[Mad Jack]

The oil is more than likely leaking from the valve cover gaskets, not the head gaskets.

The biggest problem is getting enough parts removed to get to the valve covers.

If you attempt this I have a few tips.

Most people have access to a digital camera. Take pictures of the engine from several angles before you start. Take a new set of pictures every time you remove a major component. These pictures can help jog your memory if you have problems remembering how a part goes back on.

Get some 1 quart and 1 gallon zip lock bags. Generic will do. Get a couple of sharpies also.

Every time you remove a part place all of the fasteners and loose pieces of that part in a zip lock bag. Label the bag with a sharpie. If the part itself is small enough to fit in a zip lock bag, bag it also.

Get a roll of 2" masking tape. Each time you disconnect an electrical connector label it with a piece of tape and your sharpie.

Go to the Auto Zone website. They have an excellent Do-It-Yourself section. You have to register, but I never received any SPAM by registering.

Here you will have free access to a service manual for this car. You can not download the manual, but you can print any pages you will need.

Some fasteners will have specific torque requirements. Use a torque wrench and torque as specified when required. This is important because over torquing can damage parts. Under torquing can cause leaks or parts could come loose.

Good luck with your project. If you feel that this is over your head, think about bringing the car to a mechanic. Independent mechanics will cost less than bringing it to the dealer.