Hi Guys, I'm pretty sure that the head gaskets were replaced by a previous owner in my 2003 DII, but I don't know this for sure. Are there any strong tell tale signs that they have been replaced? I'm not having any issues, I just want to be able to include this assumption during the sale of this truck. Thanks!

 

Look for paint pen line marks on the head bolts.

if they are there they were changed at some point, if not there they could have still been done.

 

If you aren't sure it's best to say they weren't done. Err on the side of caution so to speak

 

^^^^agree^^^^

Unless documented, I'd not mention it under the conditions of an assumption.

Example, I bought an 04 engine from 4X4 Trailhead and I asked Eric if the engine had been gone through. He said he wasn't sure. Which was fine and I went through it before installation (which they had been done recently). But, just think how pissed I'd have been "if" he had told me he "thought" they were done...and they weren't. Best practice is complete honesty when selling something, whether it's a seemingly harmless "assumption" or not.

Brian.

 

look for hammer marks on the firewall by the driver head. Most guys "massage" the firewall to remove the rear most bolt.

 

Replaced head gaskets can and do fail and much more likely to occur sooner with replacements than the originals lasted. Normally the heads will be cleaner than the block, the deck edges will be brighter and the block number will stand out. Removing a rocker cover can be telling. I look at bolt heads all over a motor and can tell what's been wrenched on before.