Head Gasket Leak question
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Junior User
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From: Fishkill, NY
Head Gasket Leak question
I've heard plenty about the infamous 5.4L engines with leaky heads. Are there any known similar problems with the 4.6L Triton? I've got a Windsor mfr'ed 4.6L in my 2000 Expy. It's presently seeping oil out the right head that then pools at the top and after a while trickles down into the bell housing and the exhaust. The service manager at the Ford dealer is saying that he’s personally done gasket replacements on 6 leaky right heads on 4.6L’s. Out of those 6, EVERY one came back with a leak again. So, he’s suggesting replacing the heads (of course both) since the ones he did replace haven’t been back. Telling me that the heads are $1300 a piece isn’t making me happy.
Am I being jerked around? Is this a known issue? Or did I happen to buy a Soccermomobile that never got it’s oil changed and now I’m paying for the previous owners idiocy… and now the Ford dealer is raking me over the coals as easy prey?
<O
Thanks for any info.
Am I being jerked around? Is this a known issue? Or did I happen to buy a Soccermomobile that never got it’s oil changed and now I’m paying for the previous owners idiocy… and now the Ford dealer is raking me over the coals as easy prey?
<O
Thanks for any info.
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From: Hilliard, OH
Off topic, but I did not know the 5.4L had head gasket issues. Could you explain?
If the heads from PI 4.6L stang heads are the same you can go to Jegs and pick up new PI 4.6L heads for around $400 each and I think their complete too. I'll have to go home and check on that price for you though.
Shane
If the heads from PI 4.6L stang heads are the same you can go to Jegs and pick up new PI 4.6L heads for around $400 each and I think their complete too. I'll have to go home and check on that price for you though.
Shane
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From: Jersey Shore on the Right
A couple of suggestions - Take it to another dealer for a second opinion and search under "head gasket oil leak". Here's a starter, they're are more - https://www.ford-trucks.com/forums/s...oilleakvictims I had the leak on my 99 4.6L. The recommended repair was to remove the engine in order to replace the gaskets - both head gaskets. Appears that some earlier techniques that did not remove the engine or lift the body resulted in the leak returning. Ask your dealer what he plans on doing. There is an old thread on this forum that says some heads on the 5.4L were planed improperly at the factory and head replacement or resurfacing was the only fix - that was on the 5.4L's and not on the 4.6L. Just to do the gaskets was about $2K. My leak was at 48K and I now have 76K, so far so good.
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From: Fishkill, NY
Darth, thanks for the suggestions. I found EXACTLY that thread before and it got me worried. Monday morning, I'll call the Ford guy and find out how he's tackling the problem. I'm hoping that for once I did the right thing going to a dealer and that they'll do the job right. I usually go to this one highly recommended independent mechanic in town, but he seems to like to do things cheap and "good-a-nuff".
I also need to hear back from the warrantee people. I have an extended used car warrantee on the truck which SHOULD cover this. I played the game by the book – called them ASAP and supplied all the stuff they requested. Now I just need them to get back to the service people and me.
I also need to hear back from the warrantee people. I have an extended used car warrantee on the truck which SHOULD cover this. I played the game by the book – called them ASAP and supplied all the stuff they requested. Now I just need them to get back to the service people and me.
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From: Jersey Shore on the Right
Silverdawg, I bought an extended warrantee after my head gasket leak and it's almost up (3 years) and I haven't used it yet. Sounds like you'll get a chance to test out yours. Good luck.
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From: Fishkill, NY
Sorry for the delay in getting back here with the results of my head trauma…
Long story made short – The heads were machined (3/100<SUP>th</SUP> of an inch out of plane)… new gaskets… – Out of pocket for me… $100.00 deductible + a new serp belt. The warrantee people dragged their feet but ALSO ate the rental car (got to drive an Escape around for three weeks!) 15,000 miles later I'm a happy man.
Automotive Professionals did right by me. At first, they wanted to just swap gaskets and call it a day. The service manager, however, faxed them a detailed report of the previous five leaky 4.6L heads they had worked on and how EVERY one that only got gasket swaps were back within two years for either new heads or machining. We fought it out on the phone for a few days, quit for the holidays and they authorized the machining right after they realized how long they had been paying for my rental car.
Long story made short – The heads were machined (3/100<SUP>th</SUP> of an inch out of plane)… new gaskets… – Out of pocket for me… $100.00 deductible + a new serp belt. The warrantee people dragged their feet but ALSO ate the rental car (got to drive an Escape around for three weeks!) 15,000 miles later I'm a happy man.
Automotive Professionals did right by me. At first, they wanted to just swap gaskets and call it a day. The service manager, however, faxed them a detailed report of the previous five leaky 4.6L heads they had worked on and how EVERY one that only got gasket swaps were back within two years for either new heads or machining. We fought it out on the phone for a few days, quit for the holidays and they authorized the machining right after they realized how long they had been paying for my rental car.
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additive or shunt anyone?
anyone have advice on additives to reduce/stop the head gasket leak? I've got '99 4.6 with 96K miles - infamous head gasket leak just showed up. I'm bummed because I've taken good care of her, planned on keeping for awhile...
Can't see paying $2,500 or more for a fix that may or may not last-
I want to keep the truck for a few months while looking for new vehicle - the drip & smell are annoying though. Anyone have luck with additives to slow the leak? Or rigging a shunt to keep the drip off the exhaut?
Can't see paying $2,500 or more for a fix that may or may not last-
I want to keep the truck for a few months while looking for new vehicle - the drip & smell are annoying though. Anyone have luck with additives to slow the leak? Or rigging a shunt to keep the drip off the exhaut?
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Postmaster
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From: waynesville, mo.
I have replaced head gaskets many times. The problem starts at the right rear head and the left front. There is a high pressure oil area there. The biggest problem was with the earlier motors. They have pretty much repaired the problem with redesigned head gaskets. Now there is more of a problem with improper installation. There is very little margin for error as far as surface preparation on both heads and block. Ford also says do NOT resurface heads. All you have to do is put a scratch in the head and you are out of spec. Ford was paying to remove the engine to replace head gaskets so there was little chance of dragging the head across the dowel pins. You are only allowed .0001 tolerance.
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4.6 Engines Did Have this Problem
My 99 4.6l Windsor motor definitely had the problem and was repaired under warranty several years ago. I think the heads are identical aren't they? just a longer stroke in the 5.4??
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