ARP head-studs and leaking headgaskets
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ARP head-studs and leaking headgaskets
2007 f250 6.0l auto trans 4x4 35" tires
about 17k miles ago I replaced the head gaskets with factory gaskets, along with ARP headstuds. the heads, intake, and exhaust manifolds were all machined for flatness. Also did all the other things that need to be done... SCT fitting, stand pipes, injectors, glowplugs, egr delete, new turbo, uppipes, waterpump, BPD remote oil cooler and filter, basically everything that bolts to the short block was replaced. along with the PHP FICM tuner, and SCT with matt's tunes.
Today during an oil change i noticed a tiny bit of dried coolant around the degas cap!
Hooked-up my BPD headgasket testing tool, and sure enough i get bubbles in the bottle.
With the EGR being deleted i have to assume i blew a headgasket.
i am blaming it on SRT+ with PHP 80hp tune, and 35" tires, plus the daily mountain climbing around here.
any ideas other than a head gasket?
My new plan is to pull the cab, re-use the ARP studs and install UCF fire ringed heads. -i'm kind of thinking about a cam swap at the same time?
looking for input here.. appreciate it!
about 17k miles ago I replaced the head gaskets with factory gaskets, along with ARP headstuds. the heads, intake, and exhaust manifolds were all machined for flatness. Also did all the other things that need to be done... SCT fitting, stand pipes, injectors, glowplugs, egr delete, new turbo, uppipes, waterpump, BPD remote oil cooler and filter, basically everything that bolts to the short block was replaced. along with the PHP FICM tuner, and SCT with matt's tunes.
Today during an oil change i noticed a tiny bit of dried coolant around the degas cap!
Hooked-up my BPD headgasket testing tool, and sure enough i get bubbles in the bottle.
With the EGR being deleted i have to assume i blew a headgasket.
i am blaming it on SRT+ with PHP 80hp tune, and 35" tires, plus the daily mountain climbing around here.
any ideas other than a head gasket?
My new plan is to pull the cab, re-use the ARP studs and install UCF fire ringed heads. -i'm kind of thinking about a cam swap at the same time?
looking for input here.. appreciate it!
Fleet Mechanic
Joined: Nov 2012
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From: Lakeland, Fl
If it was mine I would replace the degas tank cap first and see if the problem returns. If it does, then put a pressure gauge on the coolant system and see how much pressure you are building. What is a BPD headgasket testing tool? Didn't see anything on the BPD site.
Lead Driver
Joined: Dec 2006
Posts: 6,496
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From: So. Jersey
Were these new heads or reconditioned? Maybe one is cracked.
You could pull the glow plugs and pressure test each cylinder on TDC and watch for bubbles in the coolant system. This will narrow it down so when it comes apart you will have an idea where to pay attention looking for failure.
Logistics Pro
Joined: Feb 2013
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From: TX
...Or contamination of the surface upon installation ......or improper/uneven torque with an inaccurate torque wrench.
Were these new heads or reconditioned? Maybe one is cracked.
You could pull the glow plugs and pressure test each cylinder on TDC and watch for bubbles in the coolant system. This will narrow it down so when it comes apart you will have an idea where to pay attention looking for failure.
Were these new heads or reconditioned? Maybe one is cracked.
You could pull the glow plugs and pressure test each cylinder on TDC and watch for bubbles in the coolant system. This will narrow it down so when it comes apart you will have an idea where to pay attention looking for failure.
True--should have spelled out more--but it comes down to the mating surface and torque
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BPD bubble tester: Ford 6.0L Blown Head Gasket Tester
I Should say i'm interested in the o-ringed heads not fire ring heads.
The heads went to a competent machine shop and were cleaned, resealed, and surfaced.
We spent hours cleaning the block surface to ensure it was debris, and oil free.
My thought is the heads wrapped, and/or the studs backed off?
Or maybe the block deck is damaged?
If the block is damaged would the o-ring heads seal? The machine shop that did the heads said the heads had a groove worn in them from the head gasket, caused by the head gasket vibrating due to loose head bolts.
I Should say i'm interested in the o-ringed heads not fire ring heads.
The heads went to a competent machine shop and were cleaned, resealed, and surfaced.
We spent hours cleaning the block surface to ensure it was debris, and oil free.
My thought is the heads wrapped, and/or the studs backed off?
Or maybe the block deck is damaged?
If the block is damaged would the o-ring heads seal? The machine shop that did the heads said the heads had a groove worn in them from the head gasket, caused by the head gasket vibrating due to loose head bolts.
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Through extensive research i have found maybe a couple oops's.
Re-torquing the studs 12 hours after they are installed.? -i don't remember seeing that in the install guide, but it is on a few forum posts.
Rocker box bolts; ford says are un-necessary, and could cause uneven pressure on gaskets.
Re-torquing the studs 12 hours after they are installed.? -i don't remember seeing that in the install guide, but it is on a few forum posts.
Rocker box bolts; ford says are un-necessary, and could cause uneven pressure on gaskets.
Former Vendor
Joined: Mar 2014
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Did you try and get the block "clean"? The stains are of no bother to the gasket sealing. We look for flat and debris free. The stains are ok to ignore. I've heard of people cleaning the block trying to get it to bare iron. That's a supreme "no no".
Posting Guru
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If you need a block decked have a machine shop do it. They will adjust dimensions accordingly.
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If i'm getting bubbles in a bottle of water using the BPD testing tool; doesnt that mean the headgaskets or the EGR is leaking?
Since the EGR is deleted, it pretty well narrows it down?
The degas bottle and cap were replaced when i did the studs about a year ago.
Since the EGR is deleted, it pretty well narrows it down?
The degas bottle and cap were replaced when i did the studs about a year ago.