Head Gasket!

[Mediamonkey11]

My parents have an identical '00 EB with the 5.4, they took it to a mechanic due to it throwing a head temp code and using about a gallon of coolant a week. They tested for combustion gasses and came up positive.

My question is, is it worthit to fix as I called another mechanic I trust and they remove the motor completely and for both heads to get done (new gaskets, resurfacing, reinstallation) with parts and labor would be about 25-2900 depending on what all machine shop work needs done (2000 labor). The other option they are considering is to get a whole new engine for $2500 and have the shop put it in for the same labor essentially.

They want to know if the truck is worth putting that money into (all else is in good shape, I changed the trans fluid and it didn't need it really... I did the filter and flushed the fluid), and which way they should go if they do. My mom loves the fact the truck is so comfortable but hates the mileage.

The mechanic they took it to said that the 5.4 is a POS, which is why I pointed them in the direction of my mechanic. I have told them otherwise, am I wrong? I thought these were pretty stout motors!

 

[Bedrck47]

What kind of warranty would they get if going with the rebuild as compared to a new engine?

My opinion would be for the new engine as it appears it will only be about $1600.00 more than the rebuild and you know everything is new plus you don't know if any other problems may develop with the current engine.

 

[stamp11127]

Remain long blocks here in Ga. are running upwards of $3500. I would question what the "new" engine is and what is included for the $2500.
How many miles are on the espy?

 

[Mediamonkey11]

Fork! Forgot to mention it has 150k on it, and I'm not sure what all would be included on the "new" engine but I'm sure there would be component swapping needing to be done that they might not be accounting for...

 

[stamp11127]

Show them your middle finger then - $2500 for a used engine with 150k on the clock is crazy.

Price reman engines - link below is from a google search:

Rebuilt Ford 5.4 Engines with No Upfront Core

 

[Mediamonkey11]

Lol! I must be horribly miscommunicating, the expy has 150k on it and the new engine presumably is new or rebuilt...

I am just wondering if it's crazy to think about putting 25-2900 parts and labor into an engine with 150k on it if the rest of the truck is sound, or it's worth spending the extra 2-2500 on a whole new motor, assuming it's actually new (or rebuilt) hahaha

Edit: btw I tried that link and it no worky *frowny face*


Sent from my iPhone using Tapatalk

 

[stamp11127]

Link works for me on multiple devices.
Google reman ford 5.4 longblock
Multiple vendors will show up, the link is for powertrain vendors.
To me it is worth the investment. Make sure they change the trans input shaft seal.

 

[Bedrck47]

try this

Rebuilt Engines & Remanufactured Engines by Powertrain Products, Inc

 

[Lemm]

Gotcha

As the owner of this fine rig, and can attest to the fact that the Mediamonkey does not resemble his "picture", your suggestions are greatly appreciated.

As the vehicle was a police rig and the power train engine has a better than parts house warranty, and the group's recommendation replacement seems to be the way to go. The price for the reman is 2K more than the repair. Who knows what other problems may lie dormant within in the belly of this beast with a former lead footed owner that will rise up over the next 4 years!

Oh and the input shaft seal suggestion will probably save a major dope slap at a later date!!!!!!!!

 

[stamp11127]

Couple of other things to consider on this.

1st - The transmission is cooled with a cooler inside one of the radiator side tanks. They can leak coolant into the trans lines which takes out your transmission in short order. Voice of past experience on this - right after a rebuild. I suggest a remote trans cooler with t-stat and not use the internal one in the radiator.

2nd - swap out the u joints since it is down anyway.

3rd - warranty on the reman engine. What does it cover? Big thing would be removal/installation costs if it hasn't been run on a dyno and has the documentation to prove it.