Head Gasket Advice
#1
Head Gasket Advice
Pretty sure my 2002 Ford F150 has the dreaded (apparently fairly common) head gasket issue. Not surprising considering it has nearly 212k on it.
I need some advice.
Do I pay $3000 to get the head gasket fixed? Do I attempt to use a $100 container of head gasket sealant?
$4000 to have a different motor (w/ around 150k) put in?
Or do I pay $5000 to get a different, older truck? I'm guessing I'm not getting more than $1000-1500 trade-in for this guy, so maybe a $7000 truck total.
Also, if it's truly a head gasket issue, shouldn't my anti-freeze level be going down? It's barely lowered since we first discovered the head gasket issue when flushing the radiator 3 weeks ago.
I also added a cheap container of the powdered radiator leak-seal to see if it would work, but it didn't help at all. We discovered this issue about 3 weeks ago when we decided to flush the radiator.
I need some advice.
Do I pay $3000 to get the head gasket fixed? Do I attempt to use a $100 container of head gasket sealant?
$4000 to have a different motor (w/ around 150k) put in?
Or do I pay $5000 to get a different, older truck? I'm guessing I'm not getting more than $1000-1500 trade-in for this guy, so maybe a $7000 truck total.
Also, if it's truly a head gasket issue, shouldn't my anti-freeze level be going down? It's barely lowered since we first discovered the head gasket issue when flushing the radiator 3 weeks ago.
I also added a cheap container of the powdered radiator leak-seal to see if it would work, but it didn't help at all. We discovered this issue about 3 weeks ago when we decided to flush the radiator.
The following users liked this post:
ss6761 (12-19-2013)
#3
Mark
iTrader: (1)
Go to advanced auto or auto zone and buy a bottle of Blue Devil head gasket sealer got it on sale for $54 .. It seal up a bad head gasket in my sons intrigue 3.8l like a champ.. Worth a shot.. Follow the directions to a t...
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ss6761 (12-19-2013)
#4
"What are the symptoms that lead you to believe that a head gasket is bad?"
There's yellow goop under the oil cap and is starting to show on the dipstick; it's not immediately visible on the dipstick but when I wipe it off it's visible on the towel.
Anything else I should look for?
Thanks!
There's yellow goop under the oil cap and is starting to show on the dipstick; it's not immediately visible on the dipstick but when I wipe it off it's visible on the towel.
Anything else I should look for?
Thanks!
#5
I was considering this because some of the reviews look really good, such as yours! However, some other reviews, even for blue devil (white label I think) are pretty horrifying!
#6
Anything else I should look for?
Thanks!
#7
You need a leak down test and hydrocarbon test.
Milky white oil cap is common in cooler months and not always definitive. Google it.
The following users liked this post:
ss6761 (12-19-2013)
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#8
LOL!!! If that's the only thing you've done to determine you have a head gasket leak, I would love to be your mechanic. I'd make a fortune off you.
You need a leak down test and hydrocarbon test.
Milky white oil cap is common in cooler months and not always definitive. Google it.
You need a leak down test and hydrocarbon test.
Milky white oil cap is common in cooler months and not always definitive. Google it.
The following users liked this post:
ss6761 (12-19-2013)
The following users liked this post:
ss6761 (12-19-2013)
#10
LOL!!! If that's the only thing you've done to determine you have a head gasket leak, I would love to be your mechanic. I'd make a fortune off you.
You need a leak down test and hydrocarbon test.
Milky white oil cap is common in cooler months and not always definitive. Google it.
You need a leak down test and hydrocarbon test.
Milky white oil cap is common in cooler months and not always definitive. Google it.
Thanks!