I was unfortunate enought to just purchase a 99 EB Expedition with the 5.4L and 68K. I knew nothing at the time about the problems with the heads and leaks. I started smelling a little oil burning on the right hand side and figured it was a valve cover gasket. Before even looking at the engine, I did a little browsing to see how difficult it would be to change. That's when I found all the references to leaking head gaskets. I crawled underneath and sure enough, I can see it seaping out between the head and block on the right hand side rear.

So, what have people who are not under warranty been doing?


Is Ford doing anything about this for those not under warranty even though this is obviously a manufacturing defect from day one?


How long after they start leaking do they last?


Sounds like the gasket replacement is not very reliable. I keep reading about re-leaks after 5-10K miles. I really like the truck but hate the thought of having to buy an engine for it.

Thanks for any help.
Willi

 

If you bought it from a dealer I would bring it back. If you bought it privately you might want to contact the person that sold it to you and let them know. It IS NOT AN EASY FIX. Ford has not done much if anything for those out of warranty. They can run indefinitely as long as you keep up with the oil. (replace what you lose). It is just a smelly mess. The head will be replaced not just the gasket. It was apparently a machining defect on the head. I too was a victim of this and had the head replaced (which is now leaking from the front). Cost my warranty co. about $1500.00 ish. I tried an oil thickener but it didn't work. The original shop was in south jersey so I really don't want to deal with the travelling and phone calls having it redone not to mention a rental car. I will drive it until the engine falls out or expoldes then just pop in my motor.

Good luck with wahtever you decide to do................

 

Thanks 1999XLT.

Yes I bought it from a Ford dealer. I'll be contacting them as soon as I do a little more research.

How much oil are you losing say every 3000 miles?

If they say the head was the problem, and yours was replaced, why is it now leaking in the front?


Also, does any one have the complete TSBs that cover these issues?

They only one I have is 02227 Engine - CYLINDER HEAD DECK LEAK.

I know there is also:
0362 MAR 03 Engine - Oil Leak From R/H Cylinder Head Gasket
0214 JAN 02 Engine Head Gasket - Approved Replacement Procedures
01122 JUN 01 Head Gasket - Right Hand Side Oil Leak

And then I have seen references to 13846, 8093, & 15851.

Thanks again!
Willi

 

Will,
Sorry I was mistaken. My replacement that is leaking now was a replacement for the blown out plug. The previous replacement was for the leaker...............

 

Bought my 99 new and it starting leaking at 48K, well off warranty. Talked to Ford customer service (the factory) armed with all the internet chatter - within 10 minutes I had a good faith warranty to cover 70% of the repair. It may be worth the effort to push the factory - get the phone number from the dealer. The dealer probably won't help you at all directly. They removed the engine and may have replaced the head gaskets on both sides. Mine is the 4.6L and may not have been the machining issue that the 5.4's have. With the leak, around town was fine. Get off the highway and the smell and smoke when you stopped / slowed was unacceptable. You know what they say - the squeaky wheel gets the grease. Go for it.

 

i have a 99 expedition which experienced the same leak. The dealer replaced the head gaskets once under warrenty. Once out of the original warrenty thou, the leaking came back. I returned to the dealer who informed me that the block was warped and needed to be replaced. It was a 5000.00 job, however my dealership worked with me and contacted ford on my behave. I had to pay just 500.00 for the new engine and also got a 6yr. 72000 mile warrenty on the new block. I guess i was lucky. Ford calls the program a " good faith program" where the work with the owners on large repairs like this. Its worht the call to the manufacture.

 

I purchased a 99 also from a Ford Lincoln Mercury dealer less than 1,000 miles ago at the beginning of Sept. I noticed a small drop of oil on the driveway under the passenger side front of the vehicle about 1 week/100 miles ago but that was the only drop noticed. What do I look for as far as oil leak and will most of the oil get burned off from the exhaust manifold and that it possibly why I only noticed an oil drop on one occassion?