My first post here. Unfortunately I haven't had my new 99 long enough to start off on a positive note... Anyway, I purchased a 1999 supercab a few weeks ago that I thought was in great shape and was hoping would be relatively free of major problems for a while. No such luck. It has the 5.4 engine with 140,000 miles. I would have posted in the engine section but there seem to be more posts related to the head gasket problem in this section.
I've read quite a bit here about the known common passenger-side head gasket problem. I had crawled around under the truck with a flashlight prior to the purchase and did not see any oil leaks. It's not my daily driver but had it on a couple 50 miles trips and on a 300 mile round trip last weekend with no issues other than stuck IAC. Friday I made a 60 mile trip and upon arrival found smoke and a burning smell under the hood coming from the passenger side firewall. Found a lot of oil on back of bell housing, starter, exhaust and catalytic converter. Drove home this afternoon and found the same thing after getting in the driveway. Crawled underneath and found smoke was coming from oil on catalytic converter...
I can't see a lot of oil being used based on dipstick level changes.
Coolant level does not seem to be going down.
I can't find any evidence of coolant in the crankcase. Oil looks normal and nothing milky or frothy under the filler cap.
I really don't have the time or desire to spend a lot more money on this replacing the head gaskets. Too many other projects in the garage as it stands now.
I've got to get everything cleaned up and try to get a better look at where the oil is coming from. Probably not lucky enough for it to be just a valve cover gasket. Hard to see anything back there. Not sure how I got a few weekends use out of it before this problem surfaced. Maybe they had all the oil wiped-up w/ surfaces cleaned, and the leak is slow enough for the oil to build-up to the stage it's dripping on the cat?
So here is my stupid question. Does this problem always eventually lead to coolant getting in with the oil and overheating like a "normal" head gasket problem? Or could it go on for years with just an oil leak out the back? I read a post or two about the owner driving for several months in that condition before replacing the head gasket but don't have a good understanding of what exactly is going on or how quickly it gets worse.
Thanks for any insight.

 

They are known to leak oil slowly for years, most people go after valve cover only to still have the leak.

Mine leaks, i drive 70 miles to work and back, i usually get one or two wiffs of oil burning a day and I'm usually 1/2 quart low after 3-4k miles.

 

Yeah, the Romeo's have an issue there. The drivers side leaks just the same, but it is into the timing cover so it's not noticeable. My Expedition is doing the same thing. This pic is right after my Buddy put a new trans in it for me. I'm not going to worry about it unless I start getting oil and antifreeze mixing.




Found an even better pic.

 

I have the same thing. I just think of it as a slow oil change. lol I add a quart every 2-3 weeks even though I should add it more often. At this point, I don't care about this engine and I'm not wasting my time fixing it till I build the new motor.

I suggest the same for anyone planning on eventually building an engine for theirs.

 

Yeah... I agree Wolvee. Long story short, my Buddy gave me the Expedition. Someone had him put a used transmission in it, and never came back to get it. So, I kind of inherited it.

It has a whole slew of problems, and this being one of the least of my worries. I changed the oil in it just previous to the new trans (the used trans took a turd about 500 miles after he gave it to me) with 5W-20. I'm thinking if I do something like put 10W-40 in it for the summer and 10W-30 for winter, it'll leak a lot slower.

 

The leak is actually caused by a burr on the edge of the head and on the oil return ports. It knick the head gaskets and the don't seal correctly.

 

I have the same problem and also with a 99 with the 5.4. it did not take long but I started to get water in with my oil and now its parked until the gaskets get done. my mechanic told me this is a common problem with the burr. He told me its good to drive but to check the oil on the stick and cap everyday and as soon as ya got water in the oil to park it till ya get it fixed so mine sits for now. but sorry you had the same bad luck as I did. only had it for a week when mine went. if you have any shops telling you they have to lift the cab to do it they are full of **** you can do head gaskets on these trucks without doing that, will take longer but it can be done.

 

I changed the head gaskets on my 4.6 and did not raise the cab. These engines are a PITA to work on, but it can be done, plus you save a fortune.

 

One thing that can help doing head gaskets is to take the front tires off and get it as low to the ground as you want.

 

Thanks all for the helpful information. Hopefully I can drive it like this quite a while before it turns in to more than just an oil leak. I've got two other project vehicles in the garage right now and sure didn't want another...