So my '03 F-150 has its first engine issues after almost 180k miles; I'm not going to complain. There's coolant in cylinder 4 and the dealer thinks the intake manifold is cracked, but of course won't know until it comes off. It did fail the pressure test so at the least, it's the gaskets. They quoted me a little over $1,000 to replace the manifold, which isn't too bad considering the Motorcraft OEM replacement retails for around $500.

Was considering doing this work myself and looking at options for replacing the manifold. Is the Dorman OE manifold a worthy replacement?

I have not researched this repair in detail but understand it's not too difficult but there's a special tool for the fuel line. This tool expensive?

 

If it were me I'd replace that intake no mater what. you have at the dealer and they are going to want an arm and a leg for the parts. You can get an intake and the gasket for around $250 from rock auto. The intake is plastic and they dont last..

 

Same problem with mine a few months ago... I let the shop do it b/c my truck is my DD and w/o it I have to rely on someone else for a ride... So I needed it done asap. 1-2 days and $1200 later she's as good as new. But with the right time, place, and tools I'd have done it myself and saved that $600 in labor.

 

....

 

Thanks for the replies guys. If I didn't need to get my emissions passed (could not get a drive cycle readiness test completed because she kept throwing DTC P0304 due to the coolant leak) so I can renew my registration and had spare time, I'd tackle this myself but as it is, time is not on my side. In addition, I need to have a Motorvac fuel system flush and a heavy-duty flush of my cooling system done. Cooling system has some serious corrosion and my coolant doesn't stay clean for very long... radiator might be next!

 

wth could you have possibly edited brew it was four dots. Thats funny right there. FYI the intake manifold is a pretty easy fix just label the bolts as you take them off if ur nervous.

 

The good news is the manifold seems to be ok as there was not any leakage from the manifold into the cylinder heads. Bad news is there was leakage from the cylinders into the cooling system. Tech suspects it's a blown head gasket and/or bad cylinder head. Haven't gone to see what it looks like yet but they're recommending a new engine... don't know how if he hasn't pulled the heads off yet.

Sigh... just replaced my boat engine a year ago because previous owner overheated it, heads cracked and one cylinder was ruined from water sitting in it. The boat does run great with that new engine though!

 

they may be trying yo stuff it up your ***, go in and check to see if they did do what needed done. it could very well be a blown head gasket, but always check to see in person.

 

Oh just 4 letters.

 

Dealer told me it is 6 to 7 hours of labor to pull the heads. Then if it's bad would have that on top of replacing the engine. Now I feel like I'm being squeezed.

I remember some other articles on here where people dropped a diesel in their F-150. Maybe I could finally get a F-150 diesel...

 

Do it!