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2003 Expedition head gasket leak

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AMink

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Our 03 Expedition with 121xxx on it has leaking head gaskets. It's the 5. 4 engine. First quote for repair is $8000. That's for a rebuilt engine. Replacing the gaskets will be about the same. The truck is only worth $7k on a good day. Apparently the engine has to come out for the work. Does this sound right at all? It peeves me of that it happened with so few miles on a vehicle that is well cared for.
 
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Actually that's good for a 5. 4 still being together. Usually it's the tune up that kills 'em. The threads usually come out with the spark plugs, so the heads wind up coming off anyway. $8K is a lot of money for an engine swap though. Sounds like a top line job, like a dealer would do.

We expect too much out of mere mortal engines. It's not a Cummins or a Camry. Not that I like Camrys, but they do run. Shop around.
 
Destroked could be your new best friend for that kind of money ;)

And never worry about it again.
 
Usually it's the tune up that kills 'em. Yep- the $3000 tune-up. Go in for new plugs, and come out with two new heads. The net cost of repowering this truck would most certainly be less than the quoted repair, as the Cummins engine will enhance its resale value significantly.
 
Looks like right now it's drive it and keep checking the oil. External leak only. Drive it 'til it drops.
 
Ford makes good vehicles when you look at the big picture. The truck/suv segment is pretty stout I've seen lots of high mileage F series, Explorers, Expeditions, etc. We have a 4th gen Mountaineer Premier and I love it the thing rides better than an Escalade, makes lots of power (for a small suv) with the 4. 6L and knock on wood has been trouble free. If it were me (I tend to hang on to vehicles long term) I would drive it til pukes and as long as the body is in solid condition destroke it with a 12 valve and be done with it. It doesn't get any simpler than that once the conversion is done. At that point it will be a matter of standard vehicle maintenance, IE brakes, steering/suspension components, etc.
 
I looked at the Destroked site and didn't see anything for an Expedition conversion. I would think the extra weight of a 6BT would crush the existing suspension. There is also the smog check that we must endure here. It sucks but it's the hand I have to play. Drive it and keep an eye on it.
 
looks like a set of rebuilt heads and gaskets will cost about 1100. 00
If you arent able to do the work yourself, u may try talking with your local drag racers or dirt trackers... many of them usually work on the side to support the racing habit!
 
looks like a set of rebuilt heads and gaskets will cost about 1100. 00
If you arent able to do the work yourself, u may try talking with your local drag racers or dirt trackers... many of them usually work on the side to support the racing habit!

That's a good suggestion. I could do it... if I had all winter! I can't even SEE the heads on this engine. It can be done in the vehicle but most recommend pulling the engine out.
 
Ford makes good vehicles when you look at the big picture. The truck/suv segment is pretty stout I've seen lots of high mileage F series, Explorers, Expeditions, etc. We have a 4th gen Mountaineer Premier and I love it the thing rides better than an Escalade, makes lots of power (for a small suv) with the 4. 6L and knock on wood has been trouble free. If it were me (I tend to hang on to vehicles long term) I would drive it til pukes and as long as the body is in solid condition destroke it with a 12 valve and be done with it. It doesn't get any simpler than that once the conversion is done. At that point it will be a matter of standard vehicle maintenance, IE brakes, steering/suspension components, etc.

I agree about 80%. The 4. 6 is a very stout engine, just look at all the Crown Vics running around. I know the 4. 6 and 5. 4 are similar in design, but I've never really studied them or found out why the 5. 4 is so troubled.
AMink, whatever you see for a 6. 0 Super Duty applied to the Excursion. The Expedition is the F150 based SUV, and I would assume, similar. Where there are OBDII inspections, and unless the paperwork is possible, a swap to an oil burner ain't happening. The engine is quite far under the cowl and IIRC the first modern truck to have that design. When working in these situations, I have a motto- "you need to undress to operate"- and by that I mean once you start picking at it, getting the peripherals off and such and getting "into" it, it should not be too bad. Definitely not a fast moving job.

Good luck either way...
 
I looked at the Destroked site and didn't see anything for an Expedition conversion. I would think the extra weight of a 6BT would crush the existing suspension. There is also the smog check that we must endure here. It sucks but it's the hand I have to play. Drive it and keep an eye on it.

Mink, I dont know why I get the Excursions and the Expeditions mixed up all the time... . my apologies. When I saw you were dealing with the 5. 4, my mind went to the Excursion body, the few Expeditions I've dealt with had the 4. 6 in them... sorry.
I have heard of several people doing the 4bt swaps in the Expeditions, I actually saw one of them a few years ago at an off road jamboree. It was pretty cool. Around here you can do just about whatever you want and get away with it, there are no emissions checks and the laws on conversion vehicles and salvage titles are very loose. . but if you have e checks to deal with it aint gonna happen anyways.
 
I made the same mistake. How about a 4BT instead? Or a good used engine from a salvage yard?

A factory rebuilt is about $3000. I can do that. It's the labor cost that puts it over the top. And I don't have the capacity to drop in a new engine myself. One of life's little curve balls.
 
A factory rebuilt is about $3000. I can do that. It's the labor cost that puts it over the top. And I don't have the capacity to drop in a new engine myself. One of life's little curve balls.

Are there any independent shops in the area that can do the install?
 
Are there any independent shops in the area that can do the install?

The $8K estimate WAS from an independent shop. I just can't see sinking even half that much into a vehicle worth only $7K. It still runs fine, just leaks a little.
 
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