At what point does a "seeping" headgasket become a problem? I have a 2001 4.6L non-PI with 67K miles on it. The pass. side headgasket was replaced @ 20K mi. and now the driver's side is "wet" looking (but no drips) all along the underside of the exhaust manifold and there is thick "soot" on the inner side underneath the intake. The heavier "moisture" appears to be more prevalent just above the coolant inlet located just above the oil filter. Some of this COULD be from oil changes I realize, but it seems odd that it's that far above the filter location. Also the pass. side seems to be "wet" looking toward the rear with an actual drip clinging on just behind the location of the exhaust manifold flange. The upper most part of the oil pan also appears dark from the migrating moisture, but it's by no means oily and only dirt comes off on your finger when you wipe it. It doesn't leak a DROP on the ground and I haven't noticed any oil consumption, smoking, or contamination of the coolant. When I noticed the pass. side might be bad, there were actual drops of oil hanging from the pass. side oil pan bolts. Not the case this time, just a little wet looking here and there.

Is this normal for an engine with almost 70K miles on it, or am I in trouble? I'd like to see another 70K out of it ya know? I am getting ready to squeeze the trigger on a $1,700 gear & posi job, but before I do that I want to make sure I shouldn't save that for Cometic head gaskets and a LOOOOONG week of researching / knuckle busting / cussing & drinking. I should have most of the tools, but not the knowledge. Would the timing cover have to come off? Would it be wise to invest in "PI" heads or have mine extrude honed? Guess if the timing cover had to come off I may as well do cams too huh? HELP!!!

 

You should already have PI heads from the factory. I think the switch was in 99. On the driver side head, how did you see the gasket? From the intake side? Have you done a leak down test? How does the spark plugs look on the driver side vs the passenger side? So many questions

 

99 the 5.4 got PI heads...the 4.6 didn't get em till 01. My truck is a September 2000 build so all I got was the overhead console.

I haven't done a leak down test, I just assumed that's what was going on...where else would it be coming from right around that area? I changed the plugs to the Denso's a year ago now and at the time they all looked fine except for the 3rd. back on the pass. side had a smashed electrode from the factory automated install process.

 

Thanks for the info on the PI heads. I'm thinking if you do a leak down test on each cylinder and thats ok, then you have a intake leak.

 

Is a leak down test not where they use the UV dye in the oil? Must be where you pressurize the cylinders to check for compression...???

Since it runs fine and nothing is on the ground, my main concern is whether or not it is normal for a 70K mi. old engine to seep a little oil...???

 

And your sure that your heater lines are not leaking?

 

The leak down test is a pressure test to see if the cylinder will hold pressure. The tester has dual gauges, maybe someone else has a pic of the tester.

 

Heater lines?

 

I don't have the picture of it - I have the gauges faces in sequence (black and white version)and problomatic discusion charts.

PM me if you want them..

 

Thanks man. What a PITA. Bet they're not cheap either.

 

Well $80 will get yuh a good enough one - PM me and I'll give yuh a user name and password to get into ALLDATA (if you need one)theres a lot of info in there about testing procedures..

 

To late for the free ALLDATA account , I gave the last free one out last night - I only had 5 sorry..I think they charge like $49 ...

 

jbrew, are you talking about the single vehicle subscription to ALLDATA or full access to all vehicles?

 

BOTH of my head gaskets leak on my 98 4six... along with a few other things

 

Single Vehicle plans only...... Full access - I tried that about three years ago , back then you could with a tax number (your own buisness) monthy fee's were high if I remember right . They send me stuff here and there . They sent me my choice of any 5 this time for a year. I'ver been with them since they started..I gave my last two away last night..