truck in shop- HG's shot, quick help needed

[BigRobRN]

Hey guys, like I said, my truck is at my local service shop with HG's leaking. 2006 6.0L 95,600 miles.
I noticed when I pulled a large trailer of ATV's home this past weekend, it was making the tea kettle sound and had puked some.
I brought it in and asked they check the EGR cooler, HG's, and perform TSB 09-24-3 on my truck.

The service tech called me today and told me the HG's need to be replaced.
This causes me some anxiety because I know this is a major overhaul on my truck, and I really thought I had one that this wouldn't happen to.
After a few mins of conversation, and initially being told "NO" to using ARP studs in place of the Ford headbolts, I persisted, was very polite, used some bargaining skills, and was told "Just bring them in with you and we'll use them instead" (tech speaking in a much lower voice) I guess to not be heard.

SO, I need some ARP studs for an 06 6.0L with the quickness! What else do I have them check while its ripped apart? Will they check the heads to see if they are warped?

How much should I tip the technician for using the ARP studs instead of Ford's TTY bolts? Last time they worked on my truck I bought them some fresh king cakes.

Thanks guys, I'm still under warranty any any quick replies will be greatly appreciated since they plan to tear into it and have it ready late next week.

[Goose350]

They will check if they are flat, but Ford specs are not tight enough.

[BigRobRN]

Thanks everybody!

[SickStroke6.0]

Brown's Diesel for studs - $398 shipped

[Snake]

Have them magnaflux the heads for cracking and deck them to ensure they're still flat.

As far as what to tip the tech? A head stud install can run any where from $1500 - $3000 depending on where you live and where you go. Average price is around $2k.

Soooo, how much money did this tech just save you? And how much do you want to build this relationship so he may "overlook" potential future issues?

I tipped my guy $200.

[purplehorn1977]

id say at least a benjamin. you also have to look at the fact that you only have like 4500 miles left on the warrenty unless you bought extended. if thats the case then a couple bens are in order. but remember its not the techs decision if they warrenty it. hell to cover everyone involved it could run you a grand easy.

[BigRobRN]

Thanks. I ordered them from Brown's Diesel. They will be here Friday.

I will ask about magnafluxing the heads for cracking and decking them to ensure they are still flat.

I figure 100.00 tip minimum, will probably extend it to 200.00.

RL

[Snake]

Good call. Make sure the tech knows the install procedure for the studs (and follows it).

Maybe tip him $100 when you pick the truck up and then come back with another Benjamin after you've driven for a while and know its fixed. Kinda gives him another $100 incentive to do the job right.

[Slartibartfast]

check the oil cooler, actually take it apart and make sure there's no contamination in there blocking coolant flow from the EGR cooler.

[kingranch89]

i was gonna tip my tech but after what he called a 3 day job turned into a 5 week job i skipped on the tip