Coolant Loss

[ebmp]

Bought my first expedition (2004) about 5 months ago. Purchased it from elderly lady with approximately 93k miles. Do not drive it much at all, but when I do, I have to add coolant to reservoir after every drive. Could not find any visible leaks. Today, found milky substance on oil under oil cap. Pretty certain I have head gasket leak.

Is this common for the 5.4L especially considering the mileage? Is it worth repairing or should I cut my losses. Never had to ever replace a head gasket.

 

[46L281GT]

Milky residue is just condensation in the system. My expedition and mustang both do that. I had a coolant leak in the mustang last week and it was a small one under the expansion tank. Hose clamp wasn't holding good enough. I recommend going to a parts store and renting a coolant pressurizer. It's typically free to rent, it was 200 deposit (basically buying it then returning it). I found my leak in 2 minutes and it saved a lot of guessing. Took it back yesterday and got all of the money back. Total cost for fix was a 2 dollar hose clamp.

 

[GAINMOB]

not common at all...I have 04 EB 5.4 and don't have any of these probs...fill it up...run it...check all hoses and connections of hoses and radiator...if u don't see anything shut it down and look again for leaks...

u have 93K...I have 150K and would be more but I'm in korea so its not being driven...nothing leaks

 

[Bedrck47]

As mentioned above and after reading your post.
It appears that the expy is not being driven for any distance and isn't getting up to temperature long enough to burn off any condensation in the system. Do as suggested and do a pressure test, also check under the vehicle and look at the coolant lines that run to the rear heater coil for any leaks in that area. Also drain your oil and check for any sings of water/coolant in the oil.

 

[Skauber]

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=71itwBP7akA

 

[ebmp]

Went to shop today to perform a coolant system pressure test. We pumped pressure up to 16psi and let sit. Did not see any coolant leakage nor did we see any los of pressure. Oil was drained and looks normal to the eye. I took a oil sample and shipped it today to Blackstone for actual oil analysis.

Vehicle does not see any short trips. when I do crank it up, it is driven at highway for at least 30 mins.

At the current rate, if the reservoir is at the cold fill mark at start-up, the reservoir will be empty with 200 miles of driving

 

[Skauber]

Almost sounds like the small return hose on top is clogged or something, and thus not returning the coolant. Also, check your fuel cap, it might not be relieving pressure as it should at 16 psi. It's an often overlooked part that doesn't hurt to replace once in a while, it's really cheap.

 

[46L281GT]

I think that Skauber meant coolant cap, not fuel cap. That is definitely the next item I would look at.

 

[Skauber]

LOL, yeah.. I meant COOLANT cap, not fuel cap...

 

[1955moose]

I agree with the other guys, if you had a leak either with the hoses or the heater cores pressure should drop. Feel your carpets just to be sure a heater core's not leaking. I drive my 2000 expy on a lot of short trips, my oil cap is dry. Then again I live near San Francisco where it's fairly dry except for fog.


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[1955moose]

Just checked with my old buddy who was a Ford mechanic for over 30 years. He said remove expansion tank cap fire up truck, let it warm up to operating temperature. If you have a head gasket or internal problem, cracked block or whatever coolant will spray out of tank. Let us know what your findings are. Moose


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[ebmp]

Got oil analysis report back today. Although there are no visible signs of coolant, the analysis picked up high sodium and potassium indicating coolant. Combustible gas content was higher than normal also. Pretty sure it is the head gasket.

What is average cost of head gasket repair and is it worth it? Not for sure which way to go weather to repair and just take my losses. 2004 Eddie Bauer otherwise is up to par. Engine still runs very well. With 94K original miles would you fix or part with?

 

[stamp11127]

Cost will depend on where you are, what type of shop you take it to etc. It won't be cheap unless you do the repair yourself.

 

[1955moose]

Like stamp said it ain't cheap. Remember when you or a mechanic opens it up, your opening a Pandora's box. You should get valves done, are cylinders scored? You never know. Your at that juncture of do I love the truck and 2 to 3 thousand is ok, or put it up for sale and move to your next toy!



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[ebmp]

Coolant Loss\Markatable?

Yes sir, I do hear ya. MY concern is not so much the head gasket replacement, but what you will find when you get in it/ what you "might as well" replace since you are there. Those numbers add up quickly.

Any thoughts on fair pair (if even marketable) on 2004 Eddie Bauer with this know problem. Otherwise, truck is clean inside/out. Truck pretty much fully loaded. Everything else works, Rear DVD, air suspension (all 4 wheels), factory towing, buckets seats (rear), rear ac, transmission excellent, engine runs excellent 94k miles.

is 5K reasonable asking price?

 

[Skauber]

You can end up replacing the whole engine if you go the "might as well do" route when you have it open. hehe.. But, one thing I would do if it was mine is to replace the timing components, since you have to take those off anyway.

 

[1955moose]

One thing to always remember with any overheating tear down. You need to figure out why it overheated, what made the gasket leak or blow. Are you doing the work yourself? These are not motors for the inexperienced mechanic. Your SUV is low mileage so it might be worth your while. But bare in mind whats a used 2004 worth. It's kinda a coin toss. Were all techs on this end so I'm sure we'd like to see it fixed. Nothing worse for me to see a nice truck or bike in the junkyard!


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[1955moose]

As far as doing the heads when apart. You could always just make sure the valves aren't leaking by fluid test in each chamber. Rebuilding heads is usually $300.00. Not that big a deal. Thought I'd throw that at you.


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