Any Help Near By?

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Kape

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So, Ford did a diagnostic on my LS and told me the head gaskets are bad. He then told me around $3,000 to change. With this, he guy tried to sell me on getting it done then and there.

My problem is i don't have that type of money and last thing I want to do is get rid of my LS. I'm hoping there's a member on here with a shop or that can refer me to a mechanic in Tampa. I'm really hoping for this to be my last LS problem....at least for a while haha
 
Because of failsafe cooling, headgasket failures on the LS are rare. However, it is more likely on the V6 than the V8, and if you let it run to failsafe enough times, it can happen.
You might be better off to go to a good independent and just swap out the engine for a junkyard one.
 
It's been constantly over heating. I went thru all the common problems and still doing it. I've been getting the coolan smell coming in the car. If the could be something besides the gaskets I would be glad to consider them. Right now this seems like the last possibility.
 
Kape said:
It's been constantly over heating. I went thru all the common problems and still doing it. I've been getting the coolan smell coming in the car. If the could be something besides the gaskets I would be glad to consider them. Right now this seems like the last possibility.
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How is your oil looking?
 
Robot said:
How is your oil looking?
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Looking at your post again, it sounds like you have a coolant flow problem. Maybe a stuck closed thermostat and excess pressure leaking from heater core?
 
I've also noticed that I have been losing transmission fluid. I leave flattened cardboard box under the car when I get home but no leaks. The coolant seems fine with no lose of fluid.
 
Oil doesn't look burned but I will double check when I leave class
 
joegr said:
Not unexpected for dealer rates. I'm sure it includes truing the surfaces and may replacing warped heads.
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Unexpected if it's just a headgasket. I don't consider a headgasket job to include resurfacing or replacement of heads. That's a whole different category.

For just a headgasket replacement, $3000 is ridiculous.

However, he stated after my post that it overheated repeatedly so it's very possible the heads are warped.
 
I would expect a new transmission or reman engine for that price. Not a headgasket.
 
Kape said:
I've also noticed that I have been losing transmission fluid. I leave flattened cardboard box under the car when I get home but no leaks. The coolant seems fine with no lose of fluid.
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How can you tell you're losing trans fluid?
 
2 dealers and 3 independent shops here want $2,300 to $3,600 for headgasket replacement. Most of charge is labor! Everything on the front & top of the block comes off!
 
Yup, it's not like they can very likely 'slide' it in between/past everything.
 
Kape said:
I've also noticed that I have been losing transmission fluid. I leave flattened cardboard box under the car when I get home but no leaks. The coolant seems fine with no lose of fluid.
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Start with the cheap stuff first. I honestly think if you had head gasket problems, you would know it. You would have smoke somewhere, you might be smelling lube too.
 
Lol it would be nice it they could just slide in. I called up a mechanic around town and he told me $250 for the gasket kit and $300 for labor. He almost had me sold but then he started talking about using a sealant and the conversation ended there. I may go back to Naples and get it done.

I will check out if it can be transmission fluid loss related
 
Not smelling lube just the antifreeze. That's the main part that has me on edge. What do you suggest on checking the transmission fluid?

Anyone thinking possible heater core issue causing the antifreeze smell?
 
Kape said:
Not smelling lube just the antifreeze. That's the main part that has me on edge. What do you suggest on checking the transmission fluid?

Anyone thinking possible heater core issue causing the antifreeze smell?
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You are going to confuse matters by continuing to call it transmission fluid. It is not related to the transmission at all, even though it is Mercon ATF. It would be better to refer to it as hydraulic fan fluid.

How was the headgasket diagnosis made? Did they do a hydrocarbon test on the coolant?

A heater core leak would be rare, but not impossible. You could disconnect and clamp off or plug the three heater core hoses to eliminate that possibility.
 
Not sure how it was tested. They wouldn't let me in their shop (had to sit in waiting room) and it slipped my mind to even ask. He did tell me the antifreeze and the oil was not mixing.
 
Kape said:
Not sure how it was tested. They wouldn't let me in their shop (had to sit in waiting room) and it slipped my mind to even ask. He did tell me the antifreeze and the oil was not mixing.
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That seems to me that the HG isn't the problem.


GET A NEW MECHANIC!!!!!! Any shop that won't show you the issue and explain to you in extreme detail the issue is TOTALLY UNTRUSTWORTHY!!!!!!! They are hiding something!

If your problem is overheating and the hydraulic pump is leaking you need a new pump. From what I've read here you may just need the actuator.
 
LS4me said:
GET A NEW MECHANIC!!!!!! Any shop that won't show you the issue and explain to you in extreme detail the issue is TOTALLY UNTRUSTWORTHY!!!!!!! They are hiding something!
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That's not true at all. 95% of customers don't care about the details. They just want it fixed. However, if you ask your mechanic to spell everything out for you and they refuse, then yes, find a new one. But if you don't ask, why should they break it down for you? "Needs a headgasket. This is the cost." That same 95% probably doesn't know what a head is or what the gasket does. They've probably heard the term but that's about it.
 
nelliott500 said:
That's not true at all. 95% of customers don't care about the details. They just want it fixed. However, if you ask your mechanic to spell everything out for you and they refuse, then yes, find a new one. But if you don't ask, why should they break it down for you? "Needs a headgasket. This is the cost." That same 95% probably doesn't know what a head is or what the gasket does. They've probably heard the term but that's about it.
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Yes, and there really are insurance reasons that keep some shops from letting go in the back and look while they work.
 
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