bwFX42006

I was discussing manifold problems with a friend the other day and he heard that the aluminum head could warp from having a manifold leak. My truck has been leaking since last october, or around the last 6,000 miles....I finally have enough time to fix it now, and I'm wondering how much truth there is to this head warp possibility. I know the manifolds can warp if the gasket is bad, but I personally have never heard of a warped head...can anyone confirm this? I don't want to rip the manifolds off and discover this problem...

Modular man

Are farm truck a 5.4 f250 had a Manifold leak for about two years before we got around to fixing it . Didn't notice any warping the stock manifolds we put back on the truck bolted up just fine no more leaking . Not saying it can't happen but I never had that problem

bwFX42006

I thought that typically the manifold would warp, not the head, plus my truck has only been making this noise for the last 4-5 months. I don't drive much so I don't believe it will be an issue, I was just wondering if anyone has experienced this problem. Thanks for the input

screamineagle

I sure hope not since mine has been leaking for over a year. I really don't see how the head could warp honestly, I have heard that the leaking exhaust gases can etch the head however, not sure if there is any truth to that either?

bwFX42006

When you say "etch" you mean like wearing a groove in the head where the exhaust gas is leaking through the gasket? I believe I've heard of that happening once, but it was on a 2002, and the leak had been present for a longggggg time. I'm not sure how much truth there is to a warped head, but I'm changing mine as soon as possible, all the studs are still intact, so the gasket has to be blown out.

gone postal

I've had a head get "etched" by an exhaust leak, but it had been leaking on a daily driver for a LONG time.

I've never heard of an exhaust leak warping a head, and would be amused to listen to the explanation of how it could happen.

PerryB

Delete

bwFX42006

I have a hard time believing if its actually possible, I've heard of the etching before, and warped manifolds, but never the head. Just wanted to confirm if anyone had experienced this before. So how long is a LONG TIME?

gone postal

Better than a year on a daily commuter.

The stud had broken off in the head, and I had to pull the head to fix it properly. There was a pretty good flaw in the head by the time I got to it, but it was nothing that a doubled manifold gasket couldn't take care of.

bwFX42006

Double gasket, excellent idea