The dealer where I bought my "new" '03 is changing a blown head gasket on their dime. I'm going to talk to the service manager tomorrow about changing the other side at my expense.

Given that most of the time-intensive work is already done, I'm wondering if anyone can tell me what a reasonable time for the second head gasket would be. (I don't think they'd try to snow me given their handling of the matter thus far, but id like to go in informed.)

I'll be talking to them in the morning, so I hope someone can reply this evening.

Thanks in advance,

Andy

 

it only took us a couple hours to change both head gaskets on my 03 5.4L once it was out of the truck, so I wouldn't expect it to be more than 2hr of labor. Any more than that i'd be questioning them. I put in a new timing chain set as well because it comes out to replace the head gaskets any way and my truck had 220K on it, might want to spring for that too because it's cheap insurance

 

all in for parts, new upper and lower gasket sets, new torque to yield head bolts, timing chain set, radiator (mine was bad), 8 new accel coils, motocraft plugs, drivers exhaust manifold,belt, water pump, tensioner pulley, misc I had around $2000 invested but i replaced all the parts that were "wear" parts that would be a pain with the engine in the truck

 

Thanks for the input. I was thinking it would be around 1.5, so it sounds like I'm in line.

Motor is at 160K and very quiet, so I think I'll hold off on the TC, but I appreciate the suggestion.

Andy

 

Good point on the head bolts, gaskets, etc. I'm going to ask the service guy what parts they've ordered for the job. I know they'll want to do this economically, as they're now losing money on the truck, but *I* want to make sure it does another 100K.

Andy

 

If you have them do the other side. They will get you for the whole job.

 

Well, I went to the dealer this morning to drop off some plugs, and talked to them about the other head. Turns out they were already planning on doing both gaskets (including sending the heads out to be checked for flatness and machined if necessary), as well as the timing chain and cover. They're also getting me a loaner vehicle while they fix mine. I'm impressed at this point. Sounds like they want to do everything right.

Andy

 

Great! Sounds like a good dealer there!