Head gasket options

479 Views 12 Replies 7 Participants Last post by brn, 4 d ago

brn

Discussion Starter · 15 d ago

130,000 miles on my 2013 SEL. Local shop changed my oil today.

The owner (it's a very small, 2-bay, shop) pointed out on my invoice where it stated "rear head started to seep coolant and oil". They added 0.1 (I'm guessing gallons) of antifreeze. Given that it was last flushed 40,000 miles ago, that doesn't seem like a lot to me. He ballparked the cost to replace the gasket at $5000. I've worked with him before and trust him on small jobs. This is anything but a small job. Part of me wonders if he said $5K was because he doesn't want the job. He was pretty low pressure about the whole thing and suggested I keep an eye on my coolant level.

I'm trying to figure out what to do. $5K is almost what the car is worth. Needs a new exhaust as well. Put that together and we're easily at the the value of the car. I don't begin to have the skills to fix it myself.

There's no white smoke from the exhaust.
I haven't called around for alternate pricing yet. What should I expect (online price estimators are worthless)?
I could just drive it until I see white smoke (and check the level from time to time) and see what happens.
I could plunk some sealant in there (followed by a flush) and see if that helps. Opinions on the Internet are all over the map on this.
Something else

I enjoy the car and was hoping to get another 50,000 out of it, especially given the price of new(er) vehicles, but if this is the beginning of the end, I don't want to torture myself.

I did search these forums, but it's mostly folk who do have the skills to fix it themselves.

Thanks.

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Automender12345

· #2 · 15 d ago

If he is saying seeping oil then a sealant won't help that. If the valve cover is the cause of the oil seep then that is a different story and isn't a real costly issue. I used a sealant pellet I actually purchased at a ford dealer that stopped a timing cover leak on one of my 2001 Taurus for a few years. At least the package stated used by OEM on all new engines. I went back a few years later and they said they don't carry them anymore.
I had a 1972 Dodge Colt that had an oil leak in the back of the head. Finally it was gushing oil and I removed the head only to find the copper ring that sealed the block to head port was damaged. Actually the mechanic that replaced the head gasket years before cut it because it was not in the right position. It held for years but finally leaked. If the oil leak is being caused by by the sealing between the head and block it may get worse fast.

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The White Falcon

· #3 · 15 d ago

While I can't see the car to confirm, I feel like it's more likely the rear valve cover might be letting a little oil seep out, and they decided to claim it was coolant as well. You're correct that that's not much coolant to add - did you happen to see the tank before/after the service?

There's almost no point to redoing headgaskets on these with the cost - it would be more cost efficient to swap in a different engine.

I'm not saying he's lying, but something about this feels odd.

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brn

Discussion Starter · #4 · 15 d ago

I appreciate the responses. Sorry, I didn't see the level before the maintenance. I doubt he would intentionally lie to me, but while he's pretty good at the small stuff, I wouldn't use him for something serious. He's like that neighbor that is good with a wrench and you go to first. Given that he's three blocks away, I guess he is a neighbor.

If it really were a head gasket, there's a dealer about 30 miles away that I trust with pretty much anything (for a price). For stuff inbetween, there's a Firestone that's never done me wrong (haven't needed them in about 12 years though, before the Taurus).

If it really is just the valve cover gasket, that'd be good news. If needed, I can stomach that cost (probably at the aforementioned Firestone). If it is the valve cover gasket, I'm guessing there's less danger of something catastrophic as well?

I'm kicking myself a little for not grabbing a flashlight and taking a closer look myself. I'll pull the car into the sunshine tomorrow and see what I can see. Is there anything in particular I should be looking at to tell the difference?

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The White Falcon

· #5 · 15 d ago

Oil will be greasy/black. Coolant would be watery of course. If you are concerned a shop can do a leak down test and see if there's an actual leak.

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brn

Discussion Starter · #6 · 14 d ago

I forgot how cluttered things are around the motor. As best I could, I looked around the block from above and below (can't actually get under the car) with a flashlight. What I could see was all dry. What he saw, may have been while it was on the lift.

I think I'm going to monitor things for a bit and perhaps get the leak down test you suggested.

Thanks all.

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javaleo

· #7 · 14 d ago

IMHO stay away from the Firestore, I have had nothing but bad issues with them, multible firestore stops around me. Other people too have had issues with them. Just my expenerance with them over the years, and this is with multible Firestores shops in two states.

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javaleo

· #8 · 14 d ago

Also get yourself a flexible mirror. Something like:

Telescoping LED Lighted Flexible Inspection Mirror 360 Swivel for Extra Viewing: Amazon.com: Industrial & Scientific

www.amazon.com

You can then use it to check the engine by the firewall for leaks / wet. Check Cover and where the head joints the block. Leak down test also a good option.

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brn

Discussion Starter · #9 · 14 d ago

I knew when I mentioned Firestone, it'd raise a flag for someone. I've been using this specific store for 35 years and they've never done me wrong. There were a couple of times they couldn't solve the problem, but they didn't even think about charging me. Before using them, I'll check reviews to make sure ownership hasn't changed.

Had to go to the store to get some parts for my lawn tractor (took the day off today just to putz around the yard) so I picked up a mirror on a stick while I was there. Thanks for the idea and it's a good tool to have. Still pretty hard to see (needs brighter LEDs), but what I did see was dry. I'm starting to question the guy down the block. Most of my loyalty to that shop was for the previous owner (Loren), who was as good a human being as they come (the world lost something special when he passed). The new owner was a friend of his, but he's not Loren. Different mechanic now too. Maybe, I'll just use them for oil changes.

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snosaint

· #10 · 7 d ago

javaleo said:
IMHO stay away from the Firestore, I have had nothing but bad issues with them, multible firestore stops around me. Other people too have had issues with them. Just my expenerance with them over the years, and this is with multible Firestores shops in two states.

I would also add that 12 years is a lot of time for turnover. The sign may still say firestone but the likelihood of the same good folks being there is not very high. And yes, a leakdown/pressure test of the cooling system should be helpful. Either way, time to start saving for your next purchase...

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MEADOWFERN

· #11 · 7 d ago

brn said:
130,000 miles on my 2013 SEL. Local shop changed my oil today. The owner (it's a very small, 2-bay, shop) pointed out on my invoice where it stated "rear head started to seep coolant and oil". They added 0.1 (I'm guessing gallons) of antifreeze. Given that it was last flushed 40,000 miles ago, that doesn't seem like a lot to me. He ballparked the cost to replace the gasket at $5000. I've worked with him before and trust him on small jobs. This is anything but a small job. Part of me wonders if he said $5K was because he doesn't want the job. He was pretty low pressure about the whole thing and suggested I keep an eye on my coolant level. I'm trying to figure out what to do. $5K is almost what the car is worth. Needs a new exhaust as well. Put that together and we're easily at the the value of the car. I don't begin to have the skills to fix it myself.

There's no white smoke from the exhaust.

I haven't called around for alternate pricing yet. What should I expect (online price estimators are worthless)?

I could just drive it until I see white smoke (and check the level from time to time) and see what happens.

I could plunk some sealant in there (followed by a flush) and see if that helps. Opinions on the Internet are all over the map on this.

Something else

I enjoy the car and was hoping to get another 50,000 out of it, especially given the price of new(er) vehicles, but if this is the beginning of the end, I don't want to torture myself. I did search these forums, but it's mostly folk who do have the skills to fix it themselves. Thanks.

I used K-Seal and it fixed a small head gasket leak in my 97 Taurus. I was losing coolant very slow,y with no sign of a drip anywhere, then I threw a check engine light. K-Seal is amazing, and supposed to be permanent.

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eastwildlife

· #12 · 7 d ago

See if you can fit your arm and cellphone back there. Take multiple pics. If in doubt, paste them here so we all can look. In my mind it doesn't sound serious, but pics help

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brn

Discussion Starter · #13 · 4 d ago

eastwildlife said:
See if you can fit your arm and cellphone back there. Take multiple pics. If in doubt, paste them here so we all can look. In my mind it doesn't sound serious, but pics help

I managed to stuff the phone back there, but I'm not sure the pictures will help much. Took about 20 pictures. Below are the best four.

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