HeadGaskets....Again!
Posting Guru
Joined: Feb 2009
Posts: 1,170
Likes: 1
From: Moyock, NC
When you get it back delete the EGR...buy the kit for around $200. It replaces the restrictive scooped up-pipe, replaces the poorly constructed egr cooler, and blocks off the egr valve port. If you ever need to return to stock just keep all the OEM parts handy.
Posting Guru
Joined: Feb 2009
Posts: 1,170
Likes: 1
From: Moyock, NC
Tim, someone will come along that has already done it. There are several links...just search "Egr delete" and you will find a ton of great info on the subject. From my research it depends on whether you're taking a few days off and just working straight thru it all (have all the materials/parts/and services lined up)...then shouldn't take more than a couple of days....or you could pace it over a few evenings after work and finish strong on the weekend to wrap everything up. I'm personally waiting for the weather in the Spring and will be taking a few days off....I have already collected most the the parts I'll be needing as I am also rebuilding the oil cooler and hot-washing the intake manifold.
Post Fiend
Joined: Oct 2005
Posts: 10,626
Likes: 7
From: Plano TX and Brentwood TN
It's not really hard, it's just a matter of taking your time and doing it right. Depending on how comfortable you are with your skills, job constraints etc will all affect the time. It isn't rocket science, but it is lengthy time consuming process.
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Freshman User
Joined: Aug 2006
Posts: 42
Likes: 0
Well, per the dealer, it's the EGR cooler. They are replacing it under warranty. Guess I'll be looking into EGR deletes now that the warranty will be gone in a few hundred miles.
Any good mechanic suggestions in the Greenville SC area?
Any good mechanic suggestions in the Greenville SC area?
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Freshman User
Joined: Aug 2006
Posts: 42
Likes: 0
Well, new oil and EGR cooler. 23psi in the cooling system, so off come the heads. Dealer says they have not had to redo a HG job on a studded engine, so should I assume something was not done correctly the first time? That would seem the obvious cause, but since this is my last shot at warranty work, I'm worried that they will make the same mistake again.
I feel like jumping ship to a 6.4, but I'm just about as afraid of them as the 6.0.
I feel like jumping ship to a 6.4, but I'm just about as afraid of them as the 6.0.
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Post Fiend
Joined: Oct 2005
Posts: 10,626
Likes: 7
From: Plano TX and Brentwood TN
I had talked to the head diesel tech at the Ford here when I was having my FICM replaced and he said that the 6.4 is actually worse for repairs then the 6.0 could ever dream of being. In fact, he had 3 that he were waiting for a higher up guy to approve warranty work(all had their cab off by the way and it wasn't for headgaskets).
Post Fiend
Joined: Oct 2005
Posts: 10,626
Likes: 7
From: Plano TX and Brentwood TN
If it's installed correctly with ARPs then yes it is fairly uncommon. Problem with having a dealership do it, is that installing ARPs isn't the same as installing factory bolts, so some do it the wrong way or they don't check the heads. In fact, I think Ford takes the position of just replacing the heads without really checking them, so they aren't used to doing that either(for the most part).
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Freshman User
Joined: Aug 2006
Posts: 42
Likes: 0
On my first HG job, the heads were 'checked'. I'm not sure what that means or what the tolerances are, but my dealer agrees that HG failure is rare on studded engines. They should have the heads off today, so I'm anxious to see what they find.
If there is no readily apparent cause and their plan is to simply change the gaskets and put it back together, I think I'm moving to a 150. Based on what I'm reading on the F150 forum, the new ones will tow what I'm towing with this truck just as well, maybe even cheaper.
If there is no readily apparent cause and their plan is to simply change the gaskets and put it back together, I think I'm moving to a 150. Based on what I'm reading on the F150 forum, the new ones will tow what I'm towing with this truck just as well, maybe even cheaper.
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Freshman User
Joined: Aug 2006
Posts: 42
Likes: 0
Well, I wound up convincing the dealer to do an EGR delete while they were replacing the head gaskets. Got the kit from First Coast, they tacked on a little additional labor for the up-pipe change. So now I have no EGR, a new oil cooler, ARP studs and new head gaskets. The heads themselves were still in spec. Dealer says the oil cooler was clogged, causing the EGR to overheat and fail, leading to HG failure.
I have a DieselSite coolant filter to install tomorrow. I'm also going to have to get my tunes altered, as I'm getting a CEL for no EGR.
Hopefully, the HG failure causes have been removed, since the warranty is now officially over.
I have a DieselSite coolant filter to install tomorrow. I'm also going to have to get my tunes altered, as I'm getting a CEL for no EGR.
Hopefully, the HG failure causes have been removed, since the warranty is now officially over.
Elder User
Joined: Jun 2005
Posts: 710
Likes: 0
From: Fallon,NV
I really do hope that solves all your problems. Lately, I'm really becoming convinced that oil cooler failures are a big reason why we see so many EGR cooler failures. Not that the EGR system is worth anything anyways, but coupled with a oil cooler that is so prone to clogging, it really spells disaster. I'm glad to hear that a dealership was willing to work with you. Nowadays, even the dealerships are getting desperate for work and hopefully that works in all of our favors. Mine was desperate to work on a diesel 2 years ago that they installed ARP headstuds for me just to give their diesel tech something to do.
Post Fiend
Joined: Oct 2009
Posts: 12,123
Likes: 35
From: N. Fort Worth, tx
"Nowadays, even the dealerships are getting desperate for work and hopefully that works in all of our favors. Mine was desperate to work on a diesel 2 years ago that they installed ARP headstuds for me just to give their diesel tech something to do."
really.....
we stay a week behind most of the time as well as the the other area dealers. we had a guy pull his truck out of a shop because he was #27 on the wiat list and bring it to us just to be #15 on ours
really.....
we stay a week behind most of the time as well as the the other area dealers. we had a guy pull his truck out of a shop because he was #27 on the wiat list and bring it to us just to be #15 on ours