Thanks for keeping up with this and cheering me along. I appreciate it

So I called them today (and asked if he had lost my phone number haha) and he said that I was on his list of people to call. The conducted the pressure test and yes, coolant poured out of the front cover area/oil pump area. So sounds like that is the culprit.

He said that they had numbers for me but then couldn't come up with them so he'll be calling me back later. This is the customer service rep that I spoke with and he tried to sell me a 4.6 engine that they have there right now. I responded 'I have the 4 liter'. He said 'well I think you have the Bosch which is the 4.6 - not the Gems 4.0.' I then stated 'well I'm pretty certain that I have the Bosch 4.0' and then he checked.

Yep.. Bosch 4.0.

I know they deal with a lot of customers and not trying to beat them up.

So.. he said 'we're thinking you should just go with a new engine because your intake manifold is leaking oil pretty good and then you have the front cover issue and oil pump that will need to be replaced.' Your engine failed the combustion test after 20 minutes so you could have a potential issue with head gaskets too.. and you need new spark plugs'. I said that I know and that they were last replaced with the head gasket five years ago. He responded 'well if you had a head gasket change five years ago you may like to replace the engine now as it's most likely not head gasket related'. I said 'well I don't know about that - seems like these vehicles are prone to head gasket issues and I know guys who have done them 3 times'.

I then asked him to call me back with a quote on the front cover/oil pump only. I told him that I've had the engine torn apart in my garage before for head gasket replacement so if I need that in the future so be it. There was a long pregnant pause on the phone haha.

So.. there's the story. Waiting on a quote.

Just to recap:

Combustion test failed after 20 minutes running
Pressure test indicated front cover/oil pump area pouring out coolant
Engine runs fine but he's wondering how much damage has been done already with the coolant in the oil.

Thoughts?

Thanks guys

Christina

 

I had to clear this reply 3 times, but you know where the the major leak is front cover.
It is unlikely any major damage was done by coolant in the oil, that is more of a by product of other issues - unless you drive it for weeks on end in that state then you get all kinds of issues.
Combustion test after 20 minutes could be a loose head bolt rather than a head gasket, bad head gasket should cause the test to fail much quicker, my Disco is up to temp in about 5 to 6 minutes - but I will let others chime in on that one
Intake manifold should just be a gasket.

So you are looking at a front cover repair, intake manifold gasket, engine oil flush, and say 2 short run oil changes up to temp a couple of times and dump (cheap oil and filter), to make sure all the anti-freeze is clear and possibly head gaskets. And of course check the head bolts.

I find it pretty hard to believe pulling the engine and dropping one of unknown provenience in will cost less than those 4 repairs.

My bigger concern is this shop seems confused, not sure what engine you have and they keeping wanting to replace rather than repair - they are not inspiring confidence

 

Thanks for your response Richard and we're on the same page. I have already decided that I will pay them for their tests, flat bed Bertha out of there and have any work done elsewhere. What I can't get over is that I've had to call their shop twice now in the past month and actually tell them how to diagnose the issue. If it was up to them they would have ripped into the cylinders straight away instead of finding the leak with a pressure test and dropping the oil pan. We all know that doesn't do me any good because then I'd be paying $2500 for a head gasket job as well as $1700 for oil pump and a front cover. Perhaps that is how they talk everyone into getting new engines haha.

I'm assuming new oil pump and cover is part of this as I have 168k miles. Curious how much that would cost and comparing it with the longevity of a new engine from Turner. Say 3K vs 10k for the time being?...

Husband wants to get rid of it. I told him that we're a package deal

 

Agree with Richard.

Being a mechanic by trade, I'm always a bit hesitant to second guess other mechanic's decisions...since they are hands-on with their information...and l'm getting my info on the net. But, in this case...this repair has had certain earmarks of causes (valley pan, front cover, head gasket or cracked block) and should have been diagnosed easily.

With that being said...let's move forward...now that they have found causes.

I'd do the front cover, valley pan gasket, reassemble. I'd not suspect any damage from some coolant being mixed with the oil, especially, when one considers the length of time. And, it's not like a ton of coolant was lost internally.

Hopefully, they come back with a reasonable repair estimate.

​​​​​​​ Brian.

 

Well that is tough, I would go with the 3K, in reality by doing the head gaskets right and the front cover an oil pump you have dealt with the major issues. While you are in there you can inspect the the lifters cam, and bottom end of the engine before spending any money just to confirm they are alright. So you basically have covered off all the major engine components. I have a very late 4.6 in my 04 and I would still go the 3k route.

And if your husband is a wise man happy wife happy life applies

 

If you plan on keeping the truck, go with the Turner engine. What's to say you throw money at it now and end up with a cracked block a year from now?

 

A few years back I had to pay a shop to fix a front cover leak, including a new water pump and radiator it came it at $800 at a shop rate of $125.00 per hour.

 

I suspect they replaced the gasket and left you with the original oil pump and cover for that price, right?

 

I don't think I could have the head gaskets done and replace the front cover and oil pump for that price. If I did it myself? Yes... If I had someone do it? No..

I was all revved up to tackle this myself (seriously) until I read someone's thread about an explosion under the hood while he was sitting at a stop light or something After that it was 'no way jose'... not happening - ever.

 

I know. that would definitely suck.