Did I blow my head gaskets again?

[Double 6L Trouble]

This past summer I had ARP's and Black Onyx head gaskets installed at the dealer after a diagnosed head gasket failure. The dealer agreed to install the head gaskets with the stipulation that they could not warranty a future head gasket failure. I gave them the go ahead and a couple days later I got my truck back with a fresh piece of mind. Fast forward to today: Towing down the interstate with my car trailer & car (about 5,300lbs total), I went to get off the highway. I realized I wasn't stopping fast and had to two-foot the brake pedal. Trailer got a little squirly but I managed to stay on the road and keep my truck in one piece, or so I thought. I saw smoke billowing from the truck, I figured I just smoked a brake pad. Pulled into the gas station and found the driver front wheel well covered in coolant, and the coolant had saturated my brake caliper, explaining my hard braking. I popped the hood and the coolant level was low, opened the degas bottle and there was a ton of pressure behind it. From June till now there was barely if any pressure behind that cap and it is a new bottle with the max line where the old min line was so it's never been overfilled per the TSB. EGR system was removed before the HG job, running a coolant filter, and I don't see more than a 9 degree delta between ECT and EOT even when towing. I was going to replace the T-stat today because it was running cold for my liking, 172 in 25 degree weather and unknown if it was ever changed before. During the summer I was running Eric's Xtreme street tune, always being sure to change that tune for his tow tune even if I was hauling my little 14' boat, and never romping on it. Any ideas? I'm just hoping the tech didn't put 245 lb-ft on the studs and I need to retorque... The irony is I'm doing a cab-off stud install on my friend's truck tomorrow.. Mine might be next!

[Jeckstine]

If your truck was only in a couple of days I wonder if they did not check the heads for flatness? They would have eitheir replaced them or just put the bad ones back on?

[Dave]

Check your egr cooler

[Double 6L Trouble]

It was in about a week total, but a couple days after the OK from the ford rep. Dave I checked the EGR cooler already. It's still sitting on my garage floor

[Dave]

what type of delete did you use?

[Perf Diesel Shop Owner]

Originally Posted by Double 6L Trouble

It was in about a week total, but a couple days after the OK from the ford rep. Dave I checked the EGR cooler already. It's still sitting on my garage floor

Im going with the other gentlemans suggestion too concerning the lack of head inspection or machining. I have done 3 of these exact jobs b4 and 2 of them had heads capable of being machined and were reusable, but the 3rd truck had cracked heads and were no longer servicable. Im guessing this is a common issue with the heads. Therefore, yours were more than likely not level across the deck.

[Perf Diesel Shop Owner]

Originally Posted by Dave

what type of delete did you use?

It looks like he used Sinister (in the sig)

[GeorgetownPowerstroke]

did you pressure test it? how about a combustion leak test. Their are cheap fluid kits that work off exhaust gases just make sure it is heated up all the way. can't tell if you got a cracked head or head gasket but either way if i was you i would get some harden valve seats. and if you are going over 50psi which i'm sure not o-ring them.

[LHMissions]

I'm thinking EGR cooler. I had my heads decked when I did my head gaskets and ARP studs. Did the shop check the heads for warpage? Usually when the gaskets blow - there is warpage of the heads too.

As far as EGR delete - I did the EGR delete here on the forum under 6.0 Mod Help. Cost me $50 in parts - truck runs cooler, cleaner, better mileage and no more stupid EGR cooler/valve problems!

[Dave]

Originally Posted by LHMissions

I'm thinking EGR cooler. I had my heads decked when I did my head gaskets and ARP studs. Did the shop check the heads for warpage? Usually when the gaskets blow - there is warpage of the heads too.

As far as EGR delete - I did the EGR delete here on the forum under 6.0 Mod Help. Cost me $50 in parts - truck runs cooler, cleaner, better mileage and no more stupid EGR cooler/valve problems!

He doesnt have a cooler anymore.

Either the gaskets are bad again the heads are cracked or the little hose came off the MKM kit and leaked coolant everywhere