White smoke part deux

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Jun 25, 2010 | 07:03 AM

Harley250SD

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White smoke part deux

So after I buy a EGR cooler and filter set from bulletproof diesel my mechanic now says they did a test on the coolant and there is diesel exhaust in the coolant. They say that means head gasket...they say it's going to be $6000 minimum and they will need 40 hours to pull the motor or take the cab off the truck to get to the head bolts and that is IF the heads are not cracked...

2 questions

1. Does exhaust in the coolant rule out a bad egR cooler and definitively mean it's a head gasket?

2. At $6000, am I approaching the cost of a remanufactured motor?

Jun 25, 2010 | 09:03 AM

cubalz

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$6K to install head gaskets??!? Did they make you bend over before they gave you that estimate?

Take the truck somewhere else for an estimate, seriously.

Jun 25, 2010 | 10:49 AM

Fallguy2004

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From: Alberta, Canada

Agreed, and the head gaskets CAN be done in the truck without removing the cab. Take it elsewhere... they obviously do not want to work on your truck, or they are RICH $$$ already and just want to see if you'll pay such a ridiculous price.

Hmmm... we'll make you a deal, sign over the truck and we'll call it even... OK?

Jun 25, 2010 | 10:57 AM

npccpartsman

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From: Stuttgart, Ar

Not sure what part of NC you are in but I can send you to someone in Winston Salem to have it done MUCH MUCH cheaper and BETTER. Usually takes him a day maybe 2 to do it cab off depending on your heads. I can't send you a PM but you can send me an email and I'll give you the details.

Jun 25, 2010 | 10:58 AM

npccpartsman

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From: Stuttgart, Ar

Quote:

Originally Posted by cubalz

$6K to install head gaskets??!? Did they make you bend over before they gave you that estimate?

Take the truck somewhere else for an estimate, seriously.

LMAO---I wondered if they supplied the KY too

Jun 25, 2010 | 11:16 AM

m-chan68

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From: Woodbridge, Ontario, CA

Any time fuel contaminates the cooling system on a 6.0L, you pretty much bet the cylinder head(s) are cracked internally. The reason for this, is because fuel would have to breach both the injector cups AND the lower o-ring to make its way into the cooling system. The chances of BOTH failing simultaneously are slim to none. I do have a cutaway view that would better illustrate this, but can't seem to post it. If you want to price out cylinder head(s) for your truck, the parts numbers are 3C3Z-6049-DA or 6C3Z-6049-AA depending on the build date of your truck.

For what it's worth, cylinder head(s)/gasket(s) CAN be removed without lifting the cab. HOWEVER, doing so requires A LOT of underhood disassembly which makes it VERY hard on the back of the servicing tech, not to mention the extremely tight quarters with which to work in, only increasing the likelihood of scratching the fenders and tangling up wiring.

When I'm under the hood of one of these trucks, I prefer to have EVERY wiring harness, connector, hose etc. BACK TO THEIR ORIGINAL ROUTING etc. Call me an idiot if you will, but by the time the work is done, you wouldn't even know that I had the cab removed (unless photos are taken).

Jun 25, 2010 | 12:23 PM

Harley250SD

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Thanks for the replies. I'm trying to identify another repair shop now. I don't even want to try one of the local dealers...what stinks is that the 5 year 100k engine warranty ran out in March of this year....anyone have any luck getting Ford to honor the warranty if you are "close" to the coverage date?