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Bad News

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EvanSDSVT

CEG'er
Joined
Feb 11, 2007
Messages
58
Location
San Diego
Shop says my left head gasket leaks. Engine is still good though. They quoted me 2200 for the repair which they say is 17 hours labor. They're good people, we've been going there for years so I'm inclined to believe them, but I declined repairs. Im pulling the engine this weekend, today or tomorrow but really have not decided which direction Im going with this. Im not really considering selling it for parts at all, and I really want to keep it but don't necessarily need it. I might be inclined to sell if someone offered the right price for a low miles 98 E0 with no motor and new tires. But more than likely me and some friends will spend our combined free time to rebuild this sucker with some performance cams and whatnot. Only problem is it will take us a month or two to compile funds and actually do the work.

However I want to hear your cost effective (read: cheap) suggestions or reccomendations. Other than doing it myself that is because Im already halfway done (engine's prepped/ready to come out and parts already bought), I just dont want to do this and then have it happen again, because all the techs I talked to said the duratec is notorious for this problem....

Thanks
-Evan
 
The duratec is most definately NOT notorious for head gasket issues. Very rarely do you hear about head gasket issues even on forced induction cars.

I think doing a 3L conversion would be far more cost effective, though I don't know what good 3L engines are costing in CA these days.
 
I thought I had a leaky head gasket on the left side of my engine of my first Contour. Turns out the oil filter needed snugging up. Check that first, maybe even replace it with a fresh one before you decide to plunk down $$$ for a huge repair. Sounds like you've already invested in a swap, so I hope it's not too late.

all the techs I talked to said the duratec is notorious for this problem....
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I've heard of a few Zetecs with head gasket problem, but they're rare. Duratecs, I've only heard of one verified head gasket problem - EVER! The Duratec is a very stout engine, and any tech that tells you the above story just wants your money.

I drive my car HARD, every day. If anybody is gonna have an engine problem it would be me, and I haven't had a hint of any major problems with my car.
 
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lol come to think of it these are some of the same guys who put the wrong tranny fluid in my olds a few years ago, but still... so lame.

Check that first, maybe even replace it with a fresh one before you decide to plunk down $$$
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my thoughts exactly. but im not set on the swap yet, im just replacing that gasket first. also the fan belts need replacing so Im just gonna do what they wanted to do, but do it myself and then ill see where im at.
Ive got time, tools and storage, but I lack in the experience department. luckily Ive got friends with far more experience under their belts. And worse case scenario in a couple months ill buy a 3L. I wanted to do that anyway... but this has forced my hand
 
EvanSDSVT said:
also the fan belts need replacing so Im just gonna do what they wanted to do,
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THE WHAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAT! :help: :crazy: No fan belts on modern cars! You might want to take that car to another shop and fast. Why would you think it's a head gasket? Are the fans working? Is the water pump in working? If they are I doubt it's a HG issue.
 
Rara said:
The duratec is most definately NOT notorious for head gasket issues. Very rarely do you hear about head gasket issues even on forced induction cars.

I think doing a 3L conversion would be far more cost effective, though I don't know what good 3L engines are costing in CA these days.
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Funny you should say that. The V6 in Ireland and UK is NOTORIOUS for blowing H/G's, mine even went. I am a memeber of www.fordmondeo.org, and if your not convinced, check out the V6 section and see the amount of owners that have at one stage had their H/G done. Its so common, that its almost a decision factor for people thinking of buying a V6 on the website.

When mine went 2 yrs back, I posted on CEG and was shocked to find out it was such a rare occurance on the US cars. I still do this day dont understand why. It is possible that Ford used two different gasket sets on Duratec's bound for Europe?
 
todras said:
THE WHAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAT! :help: :crazy: No fan belts on modern cars! You might want to take that car to another shop and fast. Why would you think it's a head gasket? Are the fans working? Is the water pump in working? If they are I doubt it's a HG issue.
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huh... I quoted right off the estimate. wow If they are that wrong i need some new advice...
 
todras said:
THE WHAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAT! :help: :crazy: No fan belts on modern cars! You might want to take that car to another shop and fast. ....
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EvanSDSVT said:
huh... I quoted right off the estimate. wow If they are that wrong i need some new advice...
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Fan belt is just a term the "older folks" use. I catch myself using that term every now and then. I'm sure they meant serpentine belt. ;)
 
Might be your waterpump!

Might be your waterpump!

I noticed your car is a 1998. Was it overheating? If so the likely cause is the waterpump. My V6 Mystique had pegged the temp needle about 78kmiles. I got the car cheap for that reason. Cooling fans can be a trouble spot too.
 
do the 3L swap. if you cant do it yourself we've got just the guy to do it up here in LA. it'd cost less than what that mechanic is quoting you, 3L motor AND installation!
 
Ronan said:
It is possible that Ford used two different gasket sets on Duratec's bound for Europe?
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If they're coming out of the same plant, I doubt the gaskets are different. I think the fuel formulation may be the key, or possibly a different spec for the engine oil you guys use?? Could be as simple as a coolant problem if the chemistry is different. :shrug: Either way, I'm confident it is some external influence and not different gasket sets.
 
TourDeForce said:
If they're coming out of the same plant, I doubt the gaskets are different. I think the fuel formulation may be the key, or possibly a different spec for the engine oil you guys use?? Could be as simple as a coolant problem if the chemistry is different. :shrug: Either way, I'm confident it is some external influence and not different gasket sets.
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Seems to be the only conclusion anyone can come up with... supposedly there are 2 versions of the engine also, something about silver or black valve covers?

AFAIK, the oil is the same specs and whatnot, but coolant could be the thing. The coolant/antifreeze itself is probly the same, but the water could have different minerals and stuff in it.

Since they built the engine in the states, I'd bet the did the testing on them there also, which they didn't have any problems and gave the go ahead to build them. Probly never tested them anywhere else...
 
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