Anyone else with passenger side headgasket problems??

TXRickC

TXRickC

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2001 w/under 9k miles, passenger side headgasket being swapped under warranty. Just curious if others having same issue??? Searching on other boards, I've seen Expeditions, Reg. F-150's, Econoline vans all with 5.4 Tritons also having the passenger side headgasket failing. (leaking oil):mad:
 
Big discussion of this issue on f150online.com in the "Engines" section. Seems like the L's are blowing them out faster than the N/A 5.4's. I'm afraid to go over the 10,000 mile mark with mine. I've heard if the gasket leak occurs again, it's the engine that needs to be replaced.
 
Mine leaked at 35,000 Both gaskets replaced and its still leaking
Doug
 
I noticed mine was leaking (looking for it) during my last oil change. I had been smelling a little burning oil for a couple of weeks before that. I would just smell it vaguely every now and then. I thought I was around an oil burner everytime. The passenger side head was leaking at the rear. It had a little oil droplet hanging when I saw it. I soaked up the droplet with a paper towel (it made a spot about the size of a dime) and I barely got anything on the rest of the paper towel wiping off the 3" trail to the leak. I was amazed that I hardly got anything on the paper towel.

I call SVT after reading the post here about a new head gasket coming out in March. Andrew at SVT said he would check about the head gasket but didn't know much about the leak.

I called Jim@JDM and asked about the leak and he said he's seen it a bunch. He's got one truck that's had the small leak for 50,000 miles. He said it's best to live with it because half the time they will screw up more than they fix.

I called Andrew back the next day and he said there is no new head gasket according to his sources. He said he did find out the leak is common and that they just replace the gasket. If it does it again then they replace the motor.

So, there you go. It's all boils down to how much pain you can take. For me there is less pain in wiping it down at every oil change. You would think after all these years with the 5.4 they could fix a small oil leak problem on a 30,000+ truck.:mad:
 
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I call SVT and they act like I'm the first person ever with the oil leak on passenger side where the head gasket is at!

My truck is down until friday (maybe) thats if they get the new gaskets in by then....
 
Not the passenger side....

But It looks like it on the driver's side:( Anyone else with this problem and on what side???
I guess I better have it checked out before it gets too serious.
Thanks for sticking this one Bob:tu:

Later...
 
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Black 2000,

Once it starts leaking I don't know if it gets any worse. Maybe somebody that has had the leak for a while can comment on this. I was under the impression from Jim that it stays pretty much the same.

The SVT guy said it's a high pressure oil line that runs up through that area that causes the leak.
 
After reading....

Some of the other replies, I guess I'll just live with it. Unless it gets worse. Thanks for the reply:tu:

Later...
 
Mine had ben leaking for ~ 5K miles, very small amount, not noticeable on the dipstick. Couldn't live with the burning oil smell. Figured it was cam/valve cover gasket, brought it in and head gasket was done. I lucked out with dealership, they did quality work, delivered the truck clean (including engine) and said if the leak EVER returns it will be covered,probably with replacement motor. Agree that this is a rediculous problem given the mod motors are about 10 years old now, plenty of time to find a cure. Got the same kind of response when I called SVT too!
 
Tough decision now, I have 500 miiles left on 3/36 and the Pass side head gasket is leaking again. Mine did get worse over time.
LTNBOLT described the probelm exactly. Mine would stink just for a second as soon as the catr would heat up enough to burn off the drops that had accumulated while the truck was sitting...

So do I take it back for new motor or just live with it.... Tough call.... Maybe I can get the dealer to put Manley rods in the new motor if I buy the rods...

Doug
 
there are more than a few in the Mustang crowd with this as well.

Seems mainly to affect the 01-02 cars on GTs. The 96-99 modular cars don't have nearly as many instances.
 
I checked mine out on a lift, and there was oil between the oil pan and transmission...like a rear main leak. Anyone have this? In addition, how can we have a head gasket leaking oil...and not end up blowing the gasket out. You would think you'd hear it blowing out.
 
Nosdog,
I was thinking the same thing when I brought mine it to be checked. Truck ran absolutely fine, no performances issues, no code, no real sign of an oil leak except for the burning oil smell. Not related to added pressure from blower, as many 4.6s & 5.4s have had the same problem. My truck didn't even leave oil stains on driveway.
Someone else exlpained that the problem is that the head gaskets used require mirror smooth surfaces to seal, and that the milling equipment used in production doesn't leave the proper surface for a good seal.
Makes sense, but you'd think Ford would have modified the tool or redesigned the head gaskets long ago! The problem has been ongoing for many years.
 
I am currently waiting on a new/reman. engine to come in. The pass. side gasket was already replaced once and aobut 2000 miles later was leaking again. Hopefully this one won't leak.
 
nosdog,

Mine experienced the same symptoms as you describe and being a former Mustanger, thought it was a rear main also.

After a bit of research in various forums (F150online's Engine forum in particular), I learned of the head gasket weep/leak.

Fortunately, it turned out to be only a cracked oil pan gasket.:confused: Whew nonetheless (knock knock)

The dealer only had to raise the engine up a couple of inches in order to replace the gasket.

Hope this helps.

Bob
 
Another problem is any vehicle that has had the motor replaced will be viewed by most as being worth less money when trying to resell. Hmmmmm....
 
Thanks for the input folks! I'll keep an eye on it and if it gets any worse, I'll run it in. Don't think they'll say my mods had anything to do with it?
 
Hey fellow oil leakers. I had 3 engines installed in my 2000 Lightning, and one head gasket. Just went through arbitration and the Dispute settlement board awarded me with a refund. I then went out and purchased a new 2002 Lightning on X-plan. I guess you can either deal with it or raise lots of hell, but either way I think its still gonna leak. Im just waiting on the '02 to start. People ask me why I bought another one and I tell them if you get a itch, you can only scratch it one way. Good luck......

Bubba
 
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