Cracked Heads-2000 Ranger 4.0L
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Cracked Heads-2000 Ranger 4.0L
I have been doing a little research online and have seen several reports about this particular motor blowing head gaskets, the heads cracking or just the bolts backing out. To the eye, it appeared it was the bolts that had backed out of mine. Took the heads to a machine shop and both were cracked.
I emailed Ford about the problem and that it appears to be a large problem, but imagine this, no response.
Any suggestions on where to buy new heads from or any money saving tips? One place quoted us $400 each plus $125 for the gaskets.
Thanks!
Wendy
I emailed Ford about the problem and that it appears to be a large problem, but imagine this, no response.
Any suggestions on where to buy new heads from or any money saving tips? One place quoted us $400 each plus $125 for the gaskets.
Thanks!
Wendy
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you could take a chance with junkyard heads, if you can find any. since its a 2000 model, i dont think junk yard heads would be too bad. you would get the best price from a junkyard. otherwise, try world products heads. were those prices for someone else to fix them or are you going to do it yourself?
Post Fiend
Joined: Feb 2003
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From: Eastern WA
Welcome to FTE!
Sorry to hear that you are facing a head problem. I've hardly heard of anyone with head problems on the 4.0 in over 10 years. The few that I know of that have had a problem have had a head gasket fail that allowed coolant to leak on the outside of the engine. I've found that head cracking is very rare on the 4.0. Now the earlier 2.9, that's another story but for a good reason; overheating. For replacements, junkyards are just fine. Make sure the junkyard warrenties them, and before installing have them magnafluxed to verify they are crack free. This would probably be a good time to do a valve job.
Sorry to hear that you are facing a head problem. I've hardly heard of anyone with head problems on the 4.0 in over 10 years. The few that I know of that have had a problem have had a head gasket fail that allowed coolant to leak on the outside of the engine. I've found that head cracking is very rare on the 4.0. Now the earlier 2.9, that's another story but for a good reason; overheating. For replacements, junkyards are just fine. Make sure the junkyard warrenties them, and before installing have them magnafluxed to verify they are crack free. This would probably be a good time to do a valve job.
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B4000 Head gasket replacement, quoted $800 + tax Good?
Yep, just heard from a repair shop that I have a leaking head gasket on the outside of the engine. 99 B4000 4.0l. Is $800 a decent price for the complete repair and valve work?
Thanks!
qjc000
Thanks!
qjc000
Originally Posted by CowboyBilly9Mile
Welcome to FTE!
Sorry to hear that you are facing a head problem. I've hardly heard of anyone with head problems on the 4.0 in over 10 years. The few that I know of that have had a problem have had a head gasket fail that allowed coolant to leak on the outside of the engine. I've found that head cracking is very rare on the 4.0. Now the earlier 2.9, that's another story but for a good reason; overheating. For replacements, junkyards are just fine. Make sure the junkyard warrenties them, and before installing have them magnafluxed to verify they are crack free. This would probably be a good time to do a valve job.
Sorry to hear that you are facing a head problem. I've hardly heard of anyone with head problems on the 4.0 in over 10 years. The few that I know of that have had a problem have had a head gasket fail that allowed coolant to leak on the outside of the engine. I've found that head cracking is very rare on the 4.0. Now the earlier 2.9, that's another story but for a good reason; overheating. For replacements, junkyards are just fine. Make sure the junkyard warrenties them, and before installing have them magnafluxed to verify they are crack free. This would probably be a good time to do a valve job.
Post Fiend
Joined: Feb 2003
Posts: 6,940
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From: Eastern WA
In over 10 years the worst I have heard of is two incidents where they leak external to the engine. For the millions of those motors they crank out, that's a pretty good record. I know, this hardly makes it better for the unlucky person that is in the extreme minority. I've got no clue if $800 is fair; shop rates vary depend on locality, how busy a shop is, etc. Best a guy can go is call around for prices.
Last edited by CowboyBilly9Mile; Jan 27, 2005 at 12:57 PM.
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Postmaster
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From: Greenvile, SC
I jus happened to be passin by....
And I saw this thread ....I posted somthin kinda similar (jus a different motor size) ... and my local reputable Ford dealer wants nearly 1800$$ for the repair im currently making myself.. (other than the machine shop work). But a few friends of mine have the 4.0L in their Ranger & Explorer and the head jobs here are right at a grand or so (provided new/ reconditioned; not Reused parts are utilized). Here (upstate SC) i'd consider the 800$ kinda close to a bargain, and I would closely look and see what that mechanic plans on putting in that "head" job; something of that stuff u could prolly do without or get cheaper yourself (then take to him/her) ....I figured that out with the Ford dealer svc dept. (example: wires and plugs- $65.xx; my price: Bosch Platinum-12.xxFor all 6; Premium 8mm wireset-$24.xx...approx $30 in savings).
N-e how enough of my rambling... Good Luck to which ever route you decide to take!!
And I saw this thread ....I posted somthin kinda similar (jus a different motor size) ... and my local reputable Ford dealer wants nearly 1800$$ for the repair im currently making myself.. (other than the machine shop work). But a few friends of mine have the 4.0L in their Ranger & Explorer and the head jobs here are right at a grand or so (provided new/ reconditioned; not Reused parts are utilized). Here (upstate SC) i'd consider the 800$ kinda close to a bargain, and I would closely look and see what that mechanic plans on putting in that "head" job; something of that stuff u could prolly do without or get cheaper yourself (then take to him/her) ....I figured that out with the Ford dealer svc dept. (example: wires and plugs- $65.xx; my price: Bosch Platinum-12.xxFor all 6; Premium 8mm wireset-$24.xx...approx $30 in savings).
N-e how enough of my rambling... Good Luck to which ever route you decide to take!!
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I have never heard of 4L's having this problem. OHV or OHC? The OHV is regarded as an extremely reliable engine, the OHC isnt much worse I dont think. Now the old Ford 3.8, that was a leaker, my 95 Mustang was leaking at 36K.
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From: Sacramento
I've got the 4L OHV and have had no issues like this, I have over 107K miles in less than 5 yrs. all I've done is swap radiator, alternator/battery, had tranny rebuilt about 56K miles ago. and I just did my plugs and wires. everything is working good at this time.
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I just had the same problem with my 4.0L. The frost plug blew out, the truck overheated, the heads cracked. One head was repairable, one needed to be replaced (with a used one), and all the gaskets were replaced as well. Anyway, It cost me $2200 CAD to have this fixed at a shop (the gaskets were crazy expensive, $500, as they couldn't get them anywhere but the Ford stealership). I was 500km into a 1500km move for work so I couldn't wait or do any of it myself. Really sucked...
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