$6k quote for head gaskets on 4.0 SOHC?

[JJMaine]

Thanks guys. I know Ford themselves didn't quote me $6k it's just the way I said it. I knew from the beginning that their labor rates were going to be higher than anywhere else but I figured that was my best chance of being able to drop my truck off and have it fixed with no hassle and hopefully a good job. I was willing to pay a bit extra for that.

I didn't get any paper referring to the estimate. I wish I had known when I picked the truck up I would have demanded one lol. I only got the paper for the air bag recall they did and the diagnosis which ended up being only 200.85 (only). But he told me it was almost $600 yesterday on the phone.

Like super j said, I feel like they gave me the "f you" price where it's a win win for them.

Uncle Gump, that may be the way I go just get a new engine. I wish I know of a good reman shop but they all seem to get mixed reviews. From what I call tell Auto Zone engines are the same 50/50 chance but it sounds like they always go good for a new engine and labor if needed.

 

[JJMaine]

The estimate should be itemized.

What did it say you got for 6k?

He was not clear about anything really. He said it would be about $6k IF the heads and block were good so basically just taking it apart and bolting on new head gaskets and all the other parts and gaskets that go with it etc. He said 12 hours labor at $175 which is $2100 for labor

When I asked what happens if the cylinders are warped he said "we'll cross that bridge when we come to it maybe we can find a machine shop or something because Ford doesn't offer new cylinder heads anymore". So they want to take my truck apart for a guaranteed $6k and then pray everything else is good or theyll be able to just charge me whatever they want and I'll have to pay if I want my truck back. I really wish I would have had them write me an estimate, maybe I can get them to make one up and email it to me?

And I WAS going to ask them to replace the water pump, radiator and timing chain tensioners while they were at it which probably would have been another $1k

 

[JJMaine]

First problem is you took it to a Ford dealer... Their rates are 75% higher than the shop I bring my stuff to...

I generally always trust an independent shop to do better work than a stealership as well.

I'm with you on that one. Stealership.

 

[sgtsandman]

6k is pretty steep. The timing setup is pretty complex on the 4 0 SOHC, so it is going to cost a bit more than the usual head gasket job will. I would expect $3,000 to $4,000. And the comment about needing special tools is correct but the tool kit isn't that expensive and more than the Ranger uses that engine.

 

[SenorNoob]

I am not super familiar with it but generally you pull the engine to do the timing system. You also have to remove the timing system I would assume to get the heads off of a SOHC engine.

So they are probably figuring on pulling the engine.

And then at that point why would you reassemble with a 14yo timing set?

I didn't take that into consideration when I posted. You're absolutely right. So with Ford prices on those parts and dealer markup, that estimate isn't too unreasonable.

I mean I dropped like $1500 on the absolute cheapest parts/gaskets I could find to put my OHV back together. I didn't even touch the timing set. It seemed tight without oil pressure on the tensioner. I did change pushrods and rocker arms, but they were only $160 of that.

 

[JohnnyO]

As mentioned, the price is high because the engine has to come out.
Five years ago a head gasket let go on my old Sport Trac at 212,000 miles.
The timing chains were still fine but since the engine is out you might as well do those. I never bothered with a firm estimate, the shop I go to said there wasn't a lot of point to rebuilding the top of an engine with 200k on it. A reman from Jasper was $4500 at the time (plus labor) but I'd already dropped $5k combined on the previous two state inspections for expensive things wearing out.
I couldn't see having over $10k in a 13 year old truck with over 200k on it so I dumped a bottle of Bar's Leak Head Gasket Sealer in the radiator and when the white smoke went away I traded it in on the Ranger.

 

[JJMaine]

A friend of mine cousin has a shop and he said labor would be $1200 after I suggested I could supply all of the parts if needed. Can anyone give me a quick and dirty list of what parts I need besides the head gaskets and head bolts? If all of the gaskets I need plus water pump, radiator and timing chain tensioners are less than $1k, for $2200 all in that's the labor from Ford.

I think the previous owner probably got me with the old stop leak trick. Shame on me for not catching it haha. That's one reason why I'm contemplating a reman engine too. 5 years ago a reman was $4500? Looks like I can get an engine with most of the bolt ons like headers, water pump etc. for $4k from Autozone (powertrain engines).

 

[85_Ranger4x4]

5 years ago a reman was $4500? Looks like I can get an engine with most of the bolt ons like headers, water pump etc. for $4k from Autozone (powertrain engines).

As long as they bored out the scored bore enough to clean it up and put a new piston in it, cheaper is ok... if you are into that kind of thing.

Prices are all over, you can underpay or overpay for anything.

 

[JJMaine]

Yeah I get you, that's why Shran talked me into keeping my engine since the bores appear to be in good shape. I hate having other people work on my stuff. They never seem to do as good a job as I would have. Ford couldn't even close my hood all the way, I had to pull over on the interstate and close it lol.

I've heard too many horror stories about shops not taking responsibility when they screw something up.

I wish I had a spare vehicle and space to fix this one under cover, I'd take my time and do it myself

 

[JJMaine]

Is this every gasket I'd need to do head gaskets? It doesn't say it is I'm just wondering if that's what this kit is for. So this kit plus head bolts, water pump, radiator and $1200 labor and I'll have it whipped? I already have new upper and lower radiator hoses and new thermostat housing at my house that I hadnt put on yet. If that's the case I don't see what I've got to lose (except $2000). They swear he does good engine work.... I'll even loan him my Ford factory service manual.

 

[JohnnyO]

5 years ago a reman was $4500? Looks like I can get an engine with most of the bolt ons like headers, water pump etc. for $4k from Autozone (powertrain engines).

Plus labor. The $4500 was just for the engine.
Still, if the body is good it can be worth it.
I would have had to put the new engine on plastic and to pay it off in a year would be the same as a new truck payment and I'd still have a truck with 200k on the rest of it, just waiting for something else to break.

 

[don4331]

Is it 15 hours just to pull the engine? Or does that include stripping the SoHC down to find the leak/replace the head gaskets?

Note: The dealership will stop once the heads are removed and give you the option: fix the issues or tow the truck home/to the recyclers. You would only have committed to the $2-2.5k to pull the engine and strip it down.

Then as @85_Ranger4x4 says you aren't just replacing the head gaskets, you are replacing the timing set* which is $400 plus the $500+ for the quality timing set tool**. And the head bolts are throw away single use items. You need the timing cover gaskets in addition to the head one.

Then you have the 12-15 hours to reinstall the engine back into the truck (as @19Walt93 says replace torque converter seal and may be engine rear seal while they are accessable), button it up and add fluids.

You'll find the $6k price isn't that outrageous (given current shop rates).

*SoHC engines are notorious for timing chain issues, for which the engine must come out to fix - an ounce of prevention is worth a pound of cure
**A shop should have the tool, but you buddy might not. Yes, there are lots of cheap ones out there, but is it worth a ruined engine to cheap out on the timing tool?

 

[JJMaine]

The dealership said it's a 12 hour job to do head gaskets that's all he said. He didn't elaborate on any of the other stuff. If he had explained it exactly like you just did to me my truck would still be there waiting for them to get the parts probably. Though I'm not sure I want to pay $2500 to have my truck torn down before they tow it to the recyclers.

I should have asked for more details but the service writer is the expert he could have let me know what my hard earned $6k would buy me instead of just saying "there are a lot of parts involved in doing a head gasket job". They didn't say anything about replacing the entire timing system and apparently they had a hard time making sure my hood was latched. It's another hours labor if you want your hood shut when you leave.

 

[JJMaine]

And if I have to pay $400-500 for a cam timing tool so somebody else can fix my truck, fine. But it better be sitting on the passenger floor board when I pick my truck up.