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Broken Head Gasket possibly

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Old Nov 16, 2005 | 06:31 PM
  #1  
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Broken Head Gasket possibly

Hey,

I have a 1997 Ford F-150 6cylinder 4.2 litre. I noticed just yesterday that there is white smoke coming from the exhaust. I am guessing it is a leaking head gasket. It is a small leak though, because it only occurs at startup and for about the first mile. Other than that there is nothing left. It also happens after the car goes into very low RPM (below idle). It goes away though. After the car has warmed up, it won't do it anymore (at least when looking at it you can't see it). I was wondering how easy a head gasket replacement is??? I do have some experience working on cars, but what about the F-150? Any good guidance??? Or is this a mechanic job??? Also about how much should I expect to pay for this??? Could it also be the intake manifold, any way to test the difference??? Any guidance would be appreciated. Thanks. John C Stille.
 
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Old Nov 16, 2005 | 07:07 PM
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Old Nov 16, 2005 | 08:13 PM
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I would do a pressure test of your cooling system first. Is it eating coolant? Wator vapor is a by product of combustion.
 
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Old Nov 16, 2005 | 08:23 PM
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It isn't eating it, like not a lot, but it seems as though there is some missing. It went down about an inch in the resivoir since Saturday.
 
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Old Nov 16, 2005 | 08:36 PM
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becarful the 4.2 has a defect in the intake manofold gasket that if not repaired can cause the engine to hydro-locked.and ruin your engine.
 
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Old Nov 16, 2005 | 10:22 PM
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I just noticed that fact over at http://www.flamingfords.info/ I appreciate the info. Any idea on how much the cost is???
 
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Old Nov 17, 2005 | 10:22 PM
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Just for what its worth - might be worth trying a 6 pack of BARS leaks coolant pellets. Some people on here hate them - I love them. They work like a charm when I try them. Buy a 6 pack, crumble them up and put them in your coolant and drive the heck out of it. Probably 50/50 shot it will work but if it doesnt it only cost you $3.00
 
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Old Nov 18, 2005 | 06:30 AM
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There's tons of info in the 4.2 Forum here at FTE.
Rarely is it the head gasket.
"97 and early run '98 models had higher than normal failure of lower intake manifold gaskets and/or timing chain cover gaskets,

Check out some of the threads in the 4.2 forum. Lot's of info there.

Thanks and Welcome to FTE !
 
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