I have an oil leak at the head gasket. The truck goes in next Monday. I know the 5.4s have had this problem but I have not heard of it happening to the 4.6. Anybody else with a 4.6 have this problem?

Regards

Jean Marc Chartier

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00 F-150 XLT SC Flairside 4x4 4.6 w/5spd 3.55LSD
Warn XD9000i, skid plates, Draw tite class III,
Rancho RSX Reflex shocks, MAC 8.8 Axle Girdle
BFG 285/75 R16 MTs,
Borla Cat Back, Headman Headers,
Custom air intake system with modified
air box, Ported Throttle body,
Shortened MAF sensor tower,
K&N air filter,
Superchips

 

The dealer replaced the passenger side head gasket on my 99 4.6 romeo with 27k miles last week. I was expecting the worst when I picked it up (they had it two days , only kept it one night). They did a great job! The only way I could tell they had worked on it, other than the leak being gone, was a little dust knocked off under the hood. No more problems, I hope.

Good Luck
BassDean

 

Heh, something for me to chk out tonight.

with fingers crossed...



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Bambino Online
Owners Gallery Truck #179
1999 reg cab/short box/ORP - 3.55; 4.6l 5sp; factory snapless tonneau; twin 6" kicker sub tubes; Custom Exhaust; Mobil 1 5w30/Motorcraft FL820-S

 

I discovered my 4.6L in a 99' F-150 also has a leak on the passenger side. Not leaking too bad...and I'm out of warranty at 40,000 miles. I'm not gonna worry about it unless it starts dripping or running out to the point it makes a mess or causes me to have to add an excessive amount of oil. I figure its gonna leak sooner or later anyway....but I am disappointed its so "early in life"!

 

Well, I guess I posted too quickly in saying "I'm not going to worry about it until it becomes a problem"....

I checked the passenger side because I smelled "hot oil" and it is pretty wet! It is indeed dripping, and onto the exhaust pipe.

My questions are these:

-How difficult is it to pull this head?
-Will a new gasket fix the problem?
-Is there a "new" or "improved" gasket I should get to replace it? (Ford released or otherwise) I hate to take the time and effort to fix it only to have it return.
-If this leak is due to a high pressure oil passage, should a little sealant be placed around that area during re-assembly?
-If I let it go will it get worse?

Any insight, especially those who have replaced a head gasket on this engine, (or a 5.4L), would be greatly appreciated. I have never taken heads off a OHC engine like this one and am curious just "how much fun" it really is! Any tips and/or tricks??

 

After reading your post I did some looking.....and yep there it was. The leak was on the right side just above the exhaust. I have been consistently using about 1 quart of oil every 3000 miles. BTW I have the 4.6L engine still under warranty. Just called the dealer....we'll see what happens next.

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2000 F150 SuperCab 4X4 ORP; 4.6L