Temp gauge 99 4.0L

[backroad101]

So got the call that it is infact the head gaskets.

So my question is (and what i will ask the shop when i go in tomorrow) what would cause this to happen again after only 23k miles. Previous owner had this done at 85k miles and now I am doing it at 108k miles.

Could it be the previous work was done poorly? Maybe I have another issue somewhere else? Maybe I had a small issue that got worse because I drove it a bit too much? I did have a misfire on cyl 6 that I have been dealing with that I thought I resolved with a new plug.

My issue is that I do not want to get this work done then the issue still be there and blow the gaskets again.

He quoted me $1700 if the heads are still good, $2200 if the heads need to be replaced (with a newer design head).

Should I have a better more acurate temp guage installed while they are at it?

.

 

[backroad101]

Man, it just keeps getting worse!

Whoever did the headgaskets last time, appears they did not put the engine back together properly. Looks like they over torqued the rockers and under torqued the heads. prob why I was getting a misfire on cyl 6. Add $800 for new pushrods, rocker arms, lifters and assosiated parts. They still have not checked the heads to see if they are usable but think they are good. Hope so.

So I am at approx $2500 so far. Anything more I would think it would be more cost effective to just rebuild the motor. Or see if they are willing to put in a low mileage used motor.

Anyone think I should spring for a radiator, fan clutch and water pump while I am at it? They are going to check them and tell me what they think

Man, when I bought the truck and saw the head gaskets were already done I firgured that problem was out of the way. Happy new year to me.

 

[backroad101]

Well, to bring this thread full circle, picked up the truck and here is what was done

Clean, check and resurface heads (they think heads were already replaced by previous owner with updated heads)
All new pushrods
All new rocker arms
All new lifters
New thermostat
All new spark plugs
All new gaskets from the heads up
New head bolts
Coolant, oil and oil filter
Water pump (I asked them to add that in)
Misc bolts/clamps/etc.
1 year parts/labor warranty

Cause of problem.... Shop believes the people who did the head gaskets for the previous owner over torqued the rocker arms and under torqued the heads. Guess previous owner should have gone to an engine specialist for major engine work and not a place that does mostly maintenance stuff.

To be safe, I may replace the radiator over the summer. Will see.

Here's hoping I am good to go now.

.