2003 Eddie Bauer, 250,000 kilometers, always maintained. Only issue that I had let slide was missing exhaust manifold bolts. It was noticeable when the engine was cold, but quieted down when it warmed up. Last Tuesday, after a short 5 minute drive, truck put in park and my wife said she could feel the steering wheel shudder, and then bad noise from engine. She shut it off, then tried to restart, it started, but didn't run for long. She called me, I went to investigate, checked under the hood, oil looked good, coolant was in reservoir. I tried to start it and it was seized solid. Towed to my regular mechanic, he took the belt off, then tried to rotate engine with a bar. He was able to turn it backwards a bit, then he attempted to start it. It did start, but the noises were not good, it quickly stopped, coolant all gone, oil dipstick full of coolant. Mechanics thoughts were either timing chain let go, or head gasket blew, coolant in cylinder, hydro locked and broke something internally. So, I was hoping to get at least one more year out of it, but couldn't justify fixing it. Ford Canada has a "Recycle your ride" promotion on now, so I got 2500 dollars towards a new F250, I pick it up today. 2015 XLT, 6.2 gasser. And they are going to pick up the X in the driveway. Gonna be sad to see it go.

 

Sorry to hear it took a dive on you

I think this is a pretty good example of what happens when those exhaust manifold bolts break off. How many manifold bolts were missing?

 

I don't get the direct relation from the motor failing to the manifold bolts breaking ?

 

The exhaust manifolds pull heat away from the cylinder heads. If the heat stays in the cylinder heads then heat builds up and warps the head. Boom, blown head gasket

 

The OP didn't say there was an exhaust leak, but the "it quieted down" made me assume they were having an exhaust leak. Didn't mean to assume anything or jump to conclusions or anything.

 

No your probably right that there was some sort of leak . I have just one stud broke and I can tell there is a small leak. And mine also is noticeable when cold but quieted down when it warmed up. I was just trying to pick your brain to see what you were thinking, Thanks.

 

I have to disagree. I have a Expedition with a 4.6 and 2 broken exhaust manifold studs ( tried to fix. Broke EZ out off in one so I said the hell with it.) I've put over 100,000 miles on since and she is still running today. Only problem she has is the annoying tick you get with those missing studs.

 

At least 4 bolts missing, just the tick tick for me too. My mechanic said he would replace the manifold bolts, but that he would rather not. He has done others and it ain't fun. Not 100% sure if it was a gasket failure, but at this stage I wasn't going to spend any more money on it. Sucks, because I just put new brakes on it. I'm not sure exactly what happens with it when the recycler picks it up, probably turned into new refrigerators. It was getting a bit worn, painted bumpers were rusted, underside of the truck looked like it had spent 12 winters driving on salt covered highways, but I bought it because I figured it was the safest family hauler out there at the time. Now the kids are gone off to university, so the F250 will haul me and the boss around with the Airstream no problem, and hopefully be a bit better on fuel.

Carry on,

 

$2500? From the km comment km guessing that's Canadian?

So many people looking for Cummins swap candidates here, even without a motor I think I I could a decent ex for more than that.

 

OMG!!!!

You killed it! HOW DARE YOU?




Unicorn....I have to agree and disagree with you!

A leaking exhaust manifold will not pull the heat away like it should you are correct. If the leak is severe enough it will cause a lean condition that will do valve and piston damage. As far as a leaking manifold warping a head and blowing a gasket? I have not seen that. Hell the car my wife is driving the passenger side exhaust manifold has been leaking for 65k miles and just recently tossed a code for the cat! Most head gaskets blow due to over heating, poor cooling system maintenance and failed fasteners!


To the OP if the EX is in good shape why not do a Cummings swap? Or try to sell it and get more then what the scrap man will give you!

 

The FORD CANADA was the giveaway

 

AS well AS RYEANDWATER State Side it would have read WISKYANDABEER