Head gasket leak

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Feb 25, 2016 | 09:19 AM

rsanford

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Head gasket leak

2001 Ford F250 5.4 gasoline. At the most recent oil change my mechanic said there was an oil leak and he had dyed the new oil and cleaned everything up and to come back in 100 miles.I just did so and he said that it was a leaking head gasket. He said to do the head gasket replacement right or to put in a rebuilt engine would be close to same (almost $4,000) and he would recommend the replacement. He said it was not a heavy leak and probably ok to drive another 10,000 or so miles first. Just returned from a trip where we drove 15 hours straight (30 degree temps) and the truck ran fine and no overheating.There does not appear to be oil in coolant or vice versa. I took the cap off overflow coolant and cranked and revved and no disturbance whatsoever. I read somewhere where a mechanic was saying it was impossible for this Ford engine to leak oil from a head gasket failure .I am a decidedly non-expert so any ideas would be appreciated. My first thought is a second opinion from a local AAA certified mechanic. Thanks.

Feb 25, 2016 | 10:51 AM

KellyfromVA

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But seriously; oil leaks can from from more common places like intake manifold, or valve covers. I would definitely get a second opinion.

Last edited by Tom; Feb 26, 2016 at 11:23 PM. Reason: Off-topic

Feb 25, 2016 | 11:04 AM

lwarrior1016

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Ive had 2 modular engines leak oil from the head gaskets. I would also get a second opinion though. Itll be a rather costly repair just because of how much labor is involved. Its not hard work though. Ive built a handful of these engines.

Feb 25, 2016 | 12:00 PM

SuperDutyScaler

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From: South Jersey

Im outraged to say this but my 2004 super duty with 5.4 has the common head gasket oil leak. Mine has done it for six years myabe seven now, it doesnt leak a lot just weeps over 3k and when i change the oil i spray simple green in the valley and spray it out with a garden hose and the oil residue is gone again. Now doing a head gasket swap is easy on these trucks, remove accessories and timing cover remove top of motor pull off heads get machined and reinstall with new OEM gaskets. In 2001 Ford supposedly uodated the head gaskets but my 2004 has the leak as well as a lot of trucks built after 2001 so go figure

Feb 25, 2016 | 04:20 PM

rsanford

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I have edited. For some reason my post was compressed in a lot of places. Did not see any spelling errors but I am open to correction. Thanks for the replies. I will heed a few suggestions and maybe find out things are not as bad as the mechanic says.

Feb 25, 2016 | 06:54 PM

99f350sd

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Joined: May 2003

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From: Lyndonville, Vermont

The head gaskets can't take up the head milling imperfections or roughness in how they surfaced the head during manufacture. Mine leaks onto the starter. Oh well it won't bother until it leaks worse...

Feb 25, 2016 | 07:24 PM

SuperDutyScaler

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From: South Jersey

I know the service manager at the local dealer and he had a tech look at my truck one day. Tech said "yea its a mod thing dont touch it till it starts puking"