I know many have had this same problem on their new trucks. '99 4x Harvest Gold. 12.500 mi. I'm no machanic and would really like some sound feedback from some of you guys who know engines and have had the same problems. Took the truck for Tuesdays's appt. Wedensday, they told me I had a head gasket leak but maybe they gave it a visual look to tell, then pulled it out of the bay as when I went to pick up my loaner car, I saw my truck parked outside as they short on one part. As usual. I've told the service mgr. and my service writer of this website and the problems some of us have been having. They explained to me that they could not check for the proper tolerance's between the head and or block unless the entire engine is torn down and that it would be a visual only inspection. IS THIS CORRECT? I've also mentioned to them about inspecting the old head gasket for proper fusing and that of a possible casting flaw in the head or block and to check for burrs. Can they check for proper tolerances without taking the whole engine apart? Just tell me what I need to tell them to be sure that nothing is overlooked. I did call Ford and between them and the dealer are entirely taking care of my rental at no charge but the dealer said they will not pay for my 5 qts of Tri Sinthetic oil.

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depends what u mean by taring the entire engine down, u must pull the cylinder head off to chek for the flatness of the block and the cylinder head but u do not have to tare the entire engine down (close but not quite)

 

Hi, been new here.

My dad truck 1999 F250 5.4L Triton,
has similiar problem as your.
Here what result.
Oil leaking problem.
Been take truck to dealer.
Take head block off and replace new
head gasket, took about 3 days. Took
car loaner. After repair done, oil
still leaking so we took truck to dealer
again and they going take engine out think
it is warp. Going to replace new engine with
complete kit. As of now our dealer couldnt
find new engine stock in North America so place it is backorder.
They saying might get new engine around 3 weeks as Ford manfacture is starting product
new engine as of right now, seem to me look
like 5.4 L Trition engine across North
America stock are shortageto high demand
new engine order. So as of right now
dad truck are leave at dealer and take
other loaner for 3 weeks or maybe more.

 

When you head is removed from the engine the mech should be checking for "flatness" with a straight edge. If a warp is found the warped part should be skimed or replaced if not it will fail again.

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97, 4.6, 3.55LS, Dk red 265/75/16, Leer cap, Rhino bed, rose wood dash kit, CD player, High performance cross drilled rotors

 

>>DUCKHUNTER<< As a fellow duck hunter, I am here for you! Well actually, I have a 4.6l in a '99 Expedition that is having the engine replaced as we post. What I have found, is that very few people have had success with just a head gasket replacement. I have some connections with a few people at Ford, on the technical level, who have determined that the problem is with the block castings from late 1998 to early 1999. The problem is 1st the dealers, second available inventory. Some dealers are filing warranty claim for engines when only replacing head gaskets, CLASSIC. The next problem is that there is such a problem between slappers and leakers, that the engines just aren't there. I'll update my post (TRUCK AT DEALER STATUS) when I get more info.

 

have them check the head (casting ) not good on some models heads most likey its the left head gasket that is blown
i did a e 250 with 5.4L today at work needs new head (pinhole) in casting
but to answer your question yes they do have to teardown the top end of the engine for futher diagionis

 

Just got mine back from the dealer yesterday. They kept it for 14 days and only replaced the head gaskets. The dealer sent my heads to a machine shop and found nothing wrong with them. I told them about the casting flaw on the block and that most people with this problem were getting new engines.They said that they had heard of it but it was a relativly new problem to them. Obviously they didn't take my advise on the new engine. How many days can I expect to pass before it starts leaking again?

P.S. That GMC at the dealer down the street is sure starting to look sweet FORD!

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99.5 4x4 S/C Lariat, ORP, Flairside,5.4l 3.73 rear, oxford white, 4 wheel disc, 4 wheel ABS,factory nerf bars, 6 disc changer, keyless entry

To mod or not to mod....that is the question!

 

A buddy of mine with a 1999 (I think it was a 99) 5.4L had the same problem. The dealer told him that there were a batch of head gaskets (from factory) that were from a bad lot. Apparently the glue (sap) that holds the gasket layers together was faulty, causing leakage through the seal itself. They replaced his gaskets free of charge when he was 6K over warranty. His truck was in the shop for 3 days. Don't know if the dealer told him the truth or not, but I can't imagine any reason that a dealer would lie to him when it costs THEM money.