Oil leak(Long post)

[ITSOEZ]

I need some help out there guys. My 2000 Lightning has had 3 engines installed and one head gasket replaced in the last 12 months. The Lemon Law board met this Tuesday for the oil leak complaint. Havent gotten a reply back yet though. Yesterday, when I had the truck on the lift changing the oil, I looked at the rear of the passenger head gasket and it is leaking at the same place as the other engines. Kind of hard to see, but its there. Right above the starter where the head meets the block. It runs down to the rear corner of the head. I can notice a faint smell of odor after a WOT run because the oil leaks directly on the exhaust manifold. I have spoken with SVT via the hotline and evidently there is a problem with the 5.4 passenger head gasket. They told me that a new generation head gasket will hit the market in March to cure the problem. So, if you all could check the next time you change your oil or when you are under the truck, and reply back I would appreciate this. Just trying to get the whole picture.
Thanks

 

[BOSTONL]

Just picked my L up today after having the passenger side head gasket replaced. I had a small leak for about 3k miles. Not enough to notice on dipstick, but dripping onto right rear exhaust manifold, causing that burning oil stink. Figured it was prolly just the cam cover gasket since it was so small. Was very disappointed when told I needed head gasket. Tried doing a search on F150 as I recall there have been problems posted there. Was looking for info on defective block castings. Search was down so I scrolled through 1 year of engine posts. Romeo engines (4.6s) seem to have a bigger problem. Did find a TSB for 4.6s, but none for Windsor plant engines (5.4s), although there were as many complaints from 5.4 owners as 4.6 owners. I called SVT, got no real info. Tech claims he searched for TSB but couldn't find one. Hope this cures it, but am doubtful. Good luck with your lemon case. Will definitely be watching for more leaks.

 

[PFA]

I just had my head gasket changed in Dec. I had some small oil spots on my driveway and had them check into it while they were doing other stuff. Sure enough. SVT said that if it does it again, the engine will be replaced. I am hoping that it doesn't do it again.

 

[BigVito]

Just picked my L up today after having the passenger side head gasket replaced. I had a small leak for about 3k miles. Not enough to notice on dipstick, but dripping onto right rear exhaust manifold, causing that burning oil stink. Figured it was prolly just the cam cover gasket since it was so small. Was very disappointed when told I needed head gasket. Tried doing a search on F150 as I recall there have been problems posted there. Was looking for info on defective block castings. Search was down so I scrolled through 1 year of engine posts. Romeo engines (4.6s) seem to have a bigger problem. Did find a TSB for 4.6s, but none for Windsor plant engines (5.4s), although there were as many complaints from 5.4 owners as 4.6 owners. I called SVT, got no real info. Tech claims he searched for TSB but couldn't find one. Hope this cures it, but am doubtful. Good luck with your lemon case. Will definitely be watching for more leaks.

Is it possible that they put the same engine or actualy kept the same engine in each time?

 

[99L1764]

This has been an ongoing problem (the oil leaks from the passenger side) since the mod motors came out in mid to late 91.
For some reason the 5.4 is somewhat more prone than the others. Out of 400 fleet vehicles (4.6 Mercs, 4.6 and 5.4 trucks, we only saw maybe a half dozen with ONLY right side coolant or oil problems)
From what I have heard from quite a few engine builders, and builder trade mags is that it isn't the gasket itself, but machining issues with the head, block or a combination of both.

The way the gasket is designed, which is similar to a Honda head gasket (a multi layer steel sandwich style), it requires such a smooth finish, (near mirror) that it won't seal well if there is slight scratches roughness or even dirt on the surface.

You can see where I am going with this, if the factory's planers and broaches are dull in the slightest way, or the operator is in a Monday or Friday mood, you could get a leaker.

If you've had the gasket done by the dealership and they used roloc discs to "clean up" the block or head surfaces, you've pretty much written of one or both of those castings. The same goes if they used razor blades and accidentally scratched the surface, this will cause a leak path to wherever that scratch goes.