Do I Really Need a Crate Motor

Smckie · #1 (**permalink**) 11-05-2008, 04:22 PM

All,

I just got word from the Ford dealership. I will need to replace my 2004 6.0L with only 144,000 miles.

Symptoms:
1) Water coming out of exhaust/muffler
2) White Smoke/Water Vapor from tail pipe
3) Water Reservoir has exaust coming out when cap removed and engine is running.

In the 4-5 weeks leading up to this catastrophe I was losing water from the reservoir slowly. A day or two prior to the failure the consumption of water was increasing but no water was coming from the tailpipe/muffler nor was there white smoke/water vapor. I also never overheated the motor.

The day that the motor started belching white smoke I was only a few hundred yards from home so I did not run the truck for an extended time after the complete failure. However I did notice the exaust/coolant smell coming into the cab maybe 5 miles away from the house and the engine began to run rough.

The dealer has not removed the head but is suggesting to replace the entire engine because of the symptoms. I was told that the block is cracked. Can they come to this conclusion without removing the heads?

Is it possible the head has failed or the head gasket has failed and still have the same symptoms?

All help is greatly appreciated.

***Firemanbill*** · #2 (**permalink**) 11-05-2008, 04:27 PM

yikes! I'll defer the technical answer to a smarter man that me but I feel for ya...

Ouch!

What do they suppose the cost of this will be?

**GreenF350** · #3 (**permalink**) 11-05-2008, 04:29 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Smckie

The dealer has not removed the head but is suggesting to replace the entire engine because of the symptoms. I was told that the block is cracked. Can they come to this conclusion without removing the heads?

Sometimes, but not from JUST the symptoms mentioned. That being said, if the head gasket is bad enough or been bad for long enough, then sometimes it can damage the block also.

Quote:

Originally Posted by Smckie

Is it possible the head has failed or the head gasket has failed and still have the same symptoms?

Yes, at least based on the symptoms you have mentioned.

-Aaron

Smckie · #4 (**permalink**) 11-05-2008, 04:31 PM

I am being told a new motor is roughly $14,000

2005F250 · #5 (**permalink**) 11-05-2008, 04:36 PM

Your oil cooler has failed and the head gaskets probably have gone as well. As long as the block is in good shape there is no need for a new motor.

***Firemanbill*** · #6 (**permalink**) 11-05-2008, 04:37 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Smckie

I am being told a new motor is roughly $14,000

Dang! I hope it works out where you don't need one.

**GreenF350** · #7 (**permalink**) 11-05-2008, 04:44 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Smckie

I am being told a new motor is roughly $14,000

Ouch! I don't know if that is the going price with labor or not, but I am glad I do almost all of my own work. You can get a shortblock for $4200, the heads for $1200 a piece. Plus gaskets, etc. Not to mention their mark up on the parts. I would think the injectors, etc. could be reused. Seems high to me, but I honestly don't know with labor as high as it is these days, and I know the engine change is no easy task.
-Aaron