Hi guys, I have a 99 XLT Supercab, 3.0L Flexfuel, at the moment my headgasket is leaking dumping antifreeze into my #5 cylinder causing it to misfire.

The Truck has 147,000 miles on it. So I was wondering, do I repair it or is it time to trade it in for whatever I can get?

I am not a mechanic and cannot do the repairs myself, estimates for repairs range from $1200.00 for a Head Gasket, to $1800-2000.00 if the Head needs work once it is pulled.

Opinions...

Thanks

Roger

 

get one of the guys around u on this sight to help u do it some weekend im sure some one on here would be willling to help you

 

i wuldnt think you could replace you ranger that kind of money-if it was mine i wuld fix it

 

You could always just put another motor in cheaper(if you do the work) search car-part.com in your area.
John

 

...If the truck is decent shape(other than engine) the I would agree with Bubba,you are not gonna be able to replace the truck for $1200-$2000. You already know what you got,unless you buy new then you don't know what you may get.......imo

 

Hmmm...$2000 vs. $20,000. Let me think for a minute.

Just kidding, not trying to be an a$$. Unless there are tons of other problems with it, it's always cheaper to keep her.

 

Thanks for all of the replies gang, the only thing that concerns me with keeping it is the high mileage on her and the future.

Like I said up front, I am no expert on the subject, I am a CPA by trade and know little to nothing about the subject, other than word of mouth as how with that number of miles other things are prone to break down, etc etc.

The Truck has been a good one regardless of what I decide to do.

I'm reminded of the word's from Merle Haggard's Song, "I wish a Ford and a Chevy would still last 10 years like they should"... lol

 

umm i have a 4.0 and they arent supost to last very long but if u take care of a motor like ur supost to they will last mine just trunned over 247000 miles this week and i run the **** out of it nad it runs great so miles isnt something i think you should be worried about the little you have is nothing as some people around here what they have for miles and u will see some are super high like mine

 

yeah, see if anyone would be willing to help you out (I'm sure some money and beer wouldn't hurt to help persuade) and if you have to get a new motor and put it in. Sometimes going the extra mile is easier than fixing just that part. Look at me. I've repaced the transmission ($600, ran out of fluid my fault), transfercase ($250, fluid was really bad, yet again my fault), and the rear end ($250, yeah this one was my fault the fluid and chirping 31's a lot didn't really help it at all. With 140,000 on it I beat on it. But hey I got an explorer axle out of the deal so I'm good. Just wish that there were different transfer cases to put in beside the stock one but oh well.)

 

If you weren't so far away I have an extra 3.0 and would make you an offer on the truck.
John

 

Someone mentioned using a product called Bars Leak? I have no idea what it is but he says that with such a small leak in the Head Gasket, this stuff would more than likely seal it.

Does any one here know if this stuff really works and should I use it?

TX

 

I've used Barr's in other vehicles, to seal radiator leaks (plastic end caps). You want the black, syrupy bottle.

If I were you, it'd already be in there.


FWIW, I'd get it fixed rather than get rid of the truck. A co-worker has over 240k miles on his 99 3.0 5speed XLT Off Road (a year older than mine- I'm at 94k lol). He had his tranny rebuilt last summer. Hadn't died, but was howling and sloppy. He replaced the original clutch while it was out, go figure.