Hi. I have a 1998 f150 4.2, and a mechanic said that it was a cracked head. We started it up oneday and there was a loud pop and now there is a loud knocking in the engine and it speeds up when we accelerate. We don't want to trade it it because they won't give us much for it and we love the truck anyway, so we want to fix it. He said the head itself would only be about 150.00 and then labor. How much would this cost to fix, does anyone know? I don't know much about engines and I don't want to get taken advantage of at a repair shop! Thanks for any help!!!!

 

typically, you are looking at about $100 for general head repair, plus the cost of a valve job plus parts (such as valves, etc. if it needs em) plus labor to remove & install.

 

What I have seen on these engines is the intake gaskets leaking coolant into the combustion chamber. Once this happens the cylinder hydrolocks(piston can't compress liquid)resulting in a broken connecing rod or piston.What steps did he take to determine it was just in a head.With a loud knocking noise I would suspect something deeper in the engine.

 

I would be very cautious on this. 150 dollars to replace the head is a joke. They are not that cheap. Labor will run up the price too. Get it in writing.

 

so are you a scuba diver also? if so i would like to share something with you i have done to my 98 f150 let me know if you are interested most divers thinks its really cool.
kitsap county search and recovery diver with the sheriff dept.
washington state. email me at divewithtom@yahoo.com and i will send you pics of my truck.