How To Test For A Blown Head Gasket (1991-2010 3.3L V6 Chrysler, Dodge, And Plymouth Minivan)

The 3.3L V6 engine comes equipped with two head gaskets and testing them, to see if one or both have failed, is not hard.

In this tutorial, I'll explain the 4 tests you can perform to find out if your mini-van has a blown head gasket problem.

By the way, two of those four tests don't require any tools to perform.

You can find this tutorial in Spanish here: Cómo Probar Los Empaques De Cabeza (3.3L V6 Chrysler, Dodge, Plymouth Mini-Van) (at: autotecnico-online.com).

APPLIES TO: This tutorial applies to the following vehicles:

• 3.3L V6 Chrysler Town & Country: 1991, 1992, 1993, 1994, 1995, 1996, 1997, 1998, 1999, 2000, 2001, 2002, 2003, 2004, 2005, 2006, 2007, 2008, 2009, 2010.
• 3.3L V6 Chrysler Voyager: 2000, 2001, 2002, 2003.
• 3.3L V6 Dodge Caravan: 1991, 1992, 1993, 1994, 1995, 1996, 1997, 1998, 1999, 2000, 2001, 2002, 2003, 2004, 2005, 2006, 2007.
• 3.3L V6 Dodge Grand Caravan: 1991, 1992, 1993, 1994, 1995, 1996, 1997, 1998, 1999, 2000, 2001, 2002, 2003, 2004, 2005, 2006, 2007, 2008, 2009, 2010.
• 3.3L V6 Plymouth Voyager: 1991, 1992, 1993, 1994, 1995, 1996, 1997, 1998, 1999, 2000.
• 3.3L V6 Plymouth Grand Voyager: 1991, 1992, 1993, 1994, 1995, 1996, 1997, 1998, 1999, 2000.

Symptoms Of A Blown Head Gasket

When the 3.3L V6 engine suffers a head gasket failure, you'll either have a 'cranks but does not start' engine problem.

Or the engine starts and runs, but it will overheat for no apparent reason. Usually, it'll start to overheat in a matter of minutes after the engine has started.

Here's a basic list of the most common symptoms a blown head gasket:

1. The engine overheats.
2. White smoke is coming out of the tail-pipe and it smells like anti-freeze being cooked.
3. The engine does not start.
4. The engine oil is thick and a tan to off-white color (mixed with coolant).

Whether the engine starts and overheats or doesn't start, this tutorial will help you find out if the problem is due to a blown head gasket problem.

TEST 1: Oil The Color Of Coffee With Too Much Creamer

For the first blown head gasket test, we're gonna' pull out the engine oil dipstick and check the color of the oil sticking to it.

The oil should not look like 'coffee with too much creamer', but if it does, then you can conclude that one or both head gaskets are blown.

If the engine oil is OK, then the next test is TEST 2.

This is what you need to do:

1. 1

   Open the hood on your 3.3L V6 equipped mini-van.

2. 2

   Pull out the engine's oil dipstick.

3. 3

   Check what the color of the oil is and how thick it is.

4. 4

   You'll see one of two things:
   
   1.) The oil on the dipstick is a creamy, off-white color and is thick as syrup.
   
   2.) The oil is its normal color and viscosity.

Let's examine your test result:

CASE 1: The engine oil looks like 'coffee with too much creamer'. This confirms that one or both head gaskets are blown on your 3.3L V6 equipped Chrysler (Dodge or Plymouth) mini-van.

CASE 2: The color of the engine oil is normal. This is the correct and expected test result.

The next step is to check to see if compression/exhaust gases are leaking into the cooling system. Go to: TEST 2: Exhaust Gases Shooting Out Of The Radiator.

TEST 2: Exhaust Gases Shooting Out Of The Radiator

This test involves removing the radiator cap (from the radiator) and then cranking the engine.

If the coolant inside the open radiator gets shot out, then you can conclude that one or both head gaskets are blown.

The normal and correct test result is for the coolant to remain undisturbed (inside the open radiator) as the engine is cranked.

CAUTION: Do not remove the radiator cap with a hot engine! If the engine has been running for any length of time, let it cool down completely before removing the cap from the radiator.

Let's get started:

1. 1

   Remove the radiator cap from the radiator.

2. 2

   Check the coolant level. If the radiator is not full, then top it off with water.

3. 3

   Have your helper to crank the engine, while you stand at a safe distance from the open radiator.

4. 4

   You'll see one of two results:
   
   1.) The water or coolant inside the radiator will shoot up and out of the now open radiator.
   
   2.) The coolant will not be disturbed. In other words, cranking the engine will have no effect on the level of the water or coolant in the radiator.

Let's examine your test result:

CASE 1: The coolant bubbled out or shot out from the radiator as the engine was cranked. This result confirms that one or both head gaskets are blown on your 3.3L V6 equipped Chrysler (Dodge, Plymouth) mini-van.

CASE 2: The coolant DID NOT bubble out NOR shoot out from the radiator as the engine was cranked. This is the correct test result.

If the engine doesn't start or starts but runs with a misfire, in your 3.3L V6 Chrysler (Dodge or Plymouth) min-van, go to: TEST 3: Cylinder Compression Test.

If the engine, in your 3.3L V6 Chrysler (Dodge or Plymouth) min-van, runs but overheats, go to: TEST 4: Using A Chemical Block Tester (Combustion Leak Tester).