i am working on more than one f-250 with oil leaks looks like it is coming from the head gasket. anyone else have this problem. is my diagnosis corect.

 

Yes, I had this problem on my 2000 F-150 5.4, the aluminum head warps and leaks it is not uncommon. Often at the back of the motor where is is not noticeable.

 

what was done did you just have the head gasket replaced or did the head have to be replaced.

 

The factory gaskets are cut short about 1/8" at the most, and many have leaked. If a dab of silicon isnt applied to each corner of the gasket, this leak will occur.

 

I also have leaky head gaskets. I was told by the Techs at work that it is caused by burrs in the cylinder head that grind into the gasket and cause a leak. The correct way of fixing the problem is removing the heads, having them along with the block surface milled... Very very big and expensive job. Me, I'm just going to get a new motor

 

uh yeah... they just want a couple grand. that is not the reason.

 

Although I agree a lot of gaskets were short, I think the reason most leak is the sealing isn't robust enough around the oil passage in the back of the head. This is the reason Ford updated the service gasket to a MLS gasket. Once you replace the gasket with the updated design, you should be fine. I would check the head for flattness and only mill if necessary. If you look above the starter, that is where you will probably find the begining of the oil trail. Good luck.

 

once again we get the big weenie from ford on fixing the defects built into or designed into their trucks.

I don't think the Ford and the dealers get it that Ford lost 12.7 billion last year . Except for the F150- 350's the market just doesn't like the cars. As for the truck owners Ford the dealers and Ford warranty are pissing the rest of us off on not repairing the recurring design and build defects.

Blown plugs
head gasket leaks
Heater hose leaks that short cops

Personnaly my F150 has been great- but I am on my 3rd vibrating rear end in my 01 Cobra and thier solution is to keep rebuilding it "because that is all we are authorized to do by the factory enginners". Part of there soultion was the vibration is caused by the tires due to poor alignment. Bought new tires and paid the morons $200 for alignment and it still is cupping front tires.


All of the aggravation is almost worth it when I ask them if they have ever been trained in identification of root cause and effective corrective action implementation. When I see the deer in the headlights look from the service director I tell him that I have been trained by Ford Motor Company, Technical Training Division. The course name is Ford 8D Problem Solving Process. The same group that trains and certifies Ford technicians and master technicians.


PS so the rest of you don't get the same incompetent dealer service- the dealer is Berge Ford, in Mesa, AZ . The same parent company owns Bell Ford in Phx, AZ. If the dealers have a legal issue with what I am putting in print, I have it all documented.

 

I put in a Ford rebuilt motor. I was losing 1 1/2-2 quarts between oil changes and I need to have a reliable vehicle for long trips. I have found that quick fixes don't last and usually don't save you money in the long run.

 

Fords are notorious for burning oil. That's a fact that nobody will refute. But as long as you keep them topped off, everything is ok.