likely blown head gasket.

[stykthyn]

My girlfriend purchased an extremely abused 98 expedition with the 5.4. I have noticed the cooland smells like exhaust and there was an ounce or two of water at the bottom the oil pan when I changed the oil. The oil itself looked good there was no emulsification and it was nice and dark, but that may not mean much. What are your opinons? She's dead set on driving this thing until it lets go or she has the money to repair it. What are my options here because she isnt thinking clearly on this one.

 

[toms89]

My girlfriend purchased an extremely abused 98 expedition with the 5.4. I have noticed the cooland smells like exhaust and there was an ounce or two of water at the bottom the oil pan when I changed the oil. The oil itself looked good there was no emulsification and it was nice and dark, but that may not mean much. What are your opinons? She's dead set on driving this thing until it lets go or she has the money to repair it. What are my options here because she isnt thinking clearly on this one.

Not necessarily. Could be condensation if it is used primarily for short commutes. Have to drive with it at full temp for period of time to evaporate any moisture collecting in the block. An ounce or two is not a whole lot. Now if it looks like a milkshake and you have steam pouring out of the exhaust.......

 

[stykthyn]

Well I just found a rigged portion of the heater hose that was leaking like a ***** over the pass side coils. Water may have dripped down the plug wells while the car was parked.