I have a 98 EB Expedition (4.6L, 2WD). I had a problem recently where the coolant temp gauge would spike up on the first start up of the day (a few minutes into the drive). I would immediately shut the vehicle off and pull over. It would push out a fair amount (half-gallon at most) of coolant out of the reservoir, but could put coolant in it and would immediately run fine thereafter running at normal operating temp. Hoping for the best, I replaced the thermostat to no avail, the coolant reservoir cap (yeah right), and most recently the radiator. While it now runs a tad cooler and hasn't rejected coolant in the last 2 drives, the upper radiator hose remains pressurized and the Block Chek tester shows exhaust gasses in the cooling system. For the record, there is no coolant in the oil, no oil in the coolant, no visible visible coolant leaks, and no smoke whatsoever. My question is two-fold. First, has anyone had any success with a Steel Seal type product? It sounds convincing and offers a full money-back guarantee. I figure it's the cheapest and the vehicle runs and performs fine so the probable head-gasket leak should be minor at the time. Second question is, what is the likelihood the problem is JUST the head gasket and not warped head/cracked block?

I'm a fairly mechanically-inclined person and I really do like this vehicle. It's a two-owner 98 with 235k on the clock and has never missed a beat. Within the last week, I bought a 2000 E.B. 4.6 for my GF and I also own a 2000 Excursion 7.3 so Ford trucks are king in this household. Sorry for the long-winded first post but not ready to let this one go!!

Thanks,

JT

 

At 235k that truck owes you nothing. With that in mind I say try the sealant as the worst that might happen is it won't help. If there is no improvement you should start looking for a lower mileage engine for a replacement or get ready to do the entire top end. A replcement engine will likely cost less than doing the valves, resurfacing the heads and the cost of the gaskets and labor.

 

I have the exact same problem and symptoms on my 97 Expedition with 4.6, but I only have 144K. You have either a head gasket or cracked head problem. I am at the same point as you trying to figure out what to do. Confirmed with the block checker and I have the combustion gasses in the coolant. Rest of my vehicle is very good shape, has had all the regular PM and fluid changes done. The problem is that since the engine is half under the cowl, it is a major pain in the *** to work on for major job like head gaskets. It is just about as easy to swap a reman engine, by the time you try to pull the heads and get them resurfaced and all the labor doing that.

I personally do not hold much hope for any sealer type product, since the pressure from combustion is way more than any sealer will be able to hold back.

 

Oh, no doubt that thing doesn't owe me anything at 235k. It's performed flawlessly with next to no minor/common Exped problems. That said about the "sealer in a bottle" that I'm not really expecting to work, what is the interchangeability of 4.6 motors. I have a Windsor and it appears that most cars had the Romeo motor. Will a Romeo motor work in my Windsor-equipped Exped (ECM, trans/converter, intake, other misc wiring)? Or, do I need to stick with another Windsor motor? Basically, I'm looking for a plug-and-play type situation. The struggle I'm having is with the mileage of my vehicle, it's tough to pile $1000+ into a junkyard motor on a vehicle that's worth $3500 on it's absolute best day.

 

Do you know the door code for the engine you have? That is the best way to be sure of a plug-n-play install. If not you could check the bolt count in the front cover or valve cover. There is a difference in both count and size if memory serves. You can verify this by looking at the gasket kits on Advance auto parts site. I think I read of some accessory mount differences also. You have several Pick-A-Part yards in central Fl. and if you are careful you could get a really good engine there for less than $250 with all accessories. The 4.6 PI is a good candidate for a swap as it has a bit more performance than your engine and should be an easy swap.
Good luck with it.