I have a Mustang 2017 ecoboost with 121k miles and unfortunately the coolant is going into cylinder 4 . The car is burning off the coolant when I turn it on during cold starts. I literally only have about 6k left on payments for this car and honestly I'm not sure what to do. If I fix the headgasket, how will I know that my car will still be ok in the long run? open to any suggestions on what I could do.
Eileen Luna
Is it worth replacing the headgasket?
If you replace the head gasket, get ARP head studs and one of the improved gaskets. So long as it hasn't overheated and the shop checks the head to be sure it's straight doing it is fine. Don't bother taking it to a dealer for this, find an independent mechanic. Ford will want to replace the entire engine at a cost higher than you currently owe on the car.
You can never be 100% sure your car will be ok in the long run, you can only do your best to maintain it to the best of your ability. I don't have near the mileage on mine that you do, but am on a replacement head gasket without issue.
You can never be 100% sure your car will be ok in the long run, you can only do your best to maintain it to the best of your ability. I don't have near the mileage on mine that you do, but am on a replacement head gasket without issue.
You'll need to get tit to a mechanic to see what the damage is and what the overall prognosis will be. Fingers crossed that just a head gasket will get it back to normal.
The head can be surfaced if its not flat but the block cannot so that will be the deciding factor on head gasket or complete engine.
BD
BD
There would appear to be three options to consider with uprated head gaskets (probably not worth replacing with 'standard part, regardless of level of tune)
mountuneusa.com
emsinc-tn.com
Cometic MLX Head Gasket Ford Focus RS Mk3 LZ 16-18/Mustang Ecoboost FN 20-23
NB. Check the suitability of the gasket to your model/year & local purchase options of these brands.
I'd also suggest you look at uprated head bolts with these gaskets, particularly if modded:
NB. I am basing my opinions on what's been posted here and other trusted sites and my own circumstance (my desire for the car, my mods & based in Oz), your situation & goals will no doubt be different.
Hope this helps.
mountune ICR Head Gasket - 2.3L Ford Ecoboost / Focus RS
Applications:2016-2018 Ford Ford Focus RS2015-2020 Ford Mustang EcoboostAll Ford EcoBoost 2.3L Engines Mountune ICR Head Gasket Features: Individual die-cut layers of stainless steel with superior consistency compared to laser-cut gaskets Pre-coated stainless steel with a 0.27 micron layer of...
mountuneusa.com
Ford OEM -2015-2023 Mustang EcoBoost Upgraded 2016-2018 Focus RS Head Gasket for 2.3L EcoBoost
Factory Ford Focus RS head gasket is by far the best choice for your performance builds!
emsinc-tn.com
Cometic MLX Head Gasket Ford Focus RS Mk3 LZ 16-18/Mustang Ecoboost FN 20-23
NB. Check the suitability of the gasket to your model/year & local purchase options of these brands.
I'd also suggest you look at uprated head bolts with these gaskets, particularly if modded:
NB. I am basing my opinions on what's been posted here and other trusted sites and my own circumstance (my desire for the car, my mods & based in Oz), your situation & goals will no doubt be different.
Hope this helps.
All the above head gasket choice are high quality products, the "cometic " head gaskets come in several thickness so your mechanic will need to determine which one would be best for your car based on old gaskets removed thickness.
You will also need intake, exhaust, valve cover gaskets and possibly a few others as well.
I would also suggest ARP head studs as well to ensure proper clamping of head to block and prevent future issue with blown gasket if you plan to keep the car, if not then just go as cheap as possible and sell/trade when it's been fixed.
BD
Ford EcoBoost 2.3L - 138CI/2.3L I4 Gaskets
Cometic Gasket supplies hi-performance gaskets for a variety of motorsports markets: ATV, Drag Race, Domestic Automotive, Harley-Davidson®, MX/Dirt, Off-Road, PWC, Road Race, Snowmobile, Sport Compact and Street.
www.cometic.com
You will also need intake, exhaust, valve cover gaskets and possibly a few others as well.
I would also suggest ARP head studs as well to ensure proper clamping of head to block and prevent future issue with blown gasket if you plan to keep the car, if not then just go as cheap as possible and sell/trade when it's been fixed.
BD
Update: I have decided to do an engine swap after talking to some mechanic and getting their opinions. Most recommend to get a used engine and swap it.
Personally, I couldn't stomach the idea of someone else's used engine, but I know there are all sorts of real world issues, mainly budget.
The reason why I might end up doing an engine swap is because of the cost tbh and future plans. I've have been quoted between 2.5k to 3.5k (so far ) on a used engine and I live in houston , tx so I think it's shouldn't be too much of a hassle to get a new used engine. My plan is to pay off my car loan , get my title and unfortunately might sell it. ( financial reasons unfortunately , gotta pay off some debt)
My thought process is that if I put a new used engine , I might be able to get atleast 12k for the car when I decided to sell it. ( According to what one mechanic told me)
As for the current engine, Im still not sure if it has a cracked engine block. It was only an assumption. Mechanics want to charge me atleast $900 to 2.5k to change the head gasket on my current engine. At that point I'd rather take my chances on buying the new engine if that means I can drive it for at least another year.
And of right now, im still asking around other shops/mechanics for their quotes and options/opinions. Not trying to rush into making a decision i might regret and spend money down the drain
My thought process is that if I put a new used engine , I might be able to get atleast 12k for the car when I decided to sell it. ( According to what one mechanic told me)
As for the current engine, Im still not sure if it has a cracked engine block. It was only an assumption. Mechanics want to charge me atleast $900 to 2.5k to change the head gasket on my current engine. At that point I'd rather take my chances on buying the new engine if that means I can drive it for at least another year.
And of right now, im still asking around other shops/mechanics for their quotes and options/opinions. Not trying to rush into making a decision i might regret and spend money down the drain
If you can find a low mile used engine (under 40K or so) for 2-3K that would be a good way to go especially if it's out of a late 2020 or newer since it has the revised block.
If your block is not cracked/warped, it would be a toss up as to fix yours or replace with used. In the end you are the only one that can decide what is the best way to go.
If going with used engine try to find one that you can hear run before its pulled from vehicle if possible.
BD
If your block is not cracked/warped, it would be a toss up as to fix yours or replace with used. In the end you are the only one that can decide what is the best way to go.
If going with used engine try to find one that you can hear run before its pulled from vehicle if possible.
BD
I think most people are asking a bit too much for their used ecoboost engines considering you can get a new one for not much more (https://www.cjponyparts.com/ford-pe...crate-engine-with-starter-alternator-hardware-mustang-2-3l-ecoboost/p/M600723TA). Plus if you have all your receipts and everything in order, I suspect it would be much more valuable to a buyer (assuming you're selling private party) knowing that they have a brand new crate motor, and you would make that extra amount you spent back if you sell it. With 121k miles and some unknown used motor though, I don't think it's going to get anywhere near $12k.
Regardless I think it's more of a financial question than mechanical, given your other debts you mention and remaining payments, it depends more on what those are and their interest rates, as well as your actual transportation needs at the moment.
Have you visited BFS Performance yet? https://www.bfs-performance.com/
Regardless I think it's more of a financial question than mechanical, given your other debts you mention and remaining payments, it depends more on what those are and their interest rates, as well as your actual transportation needs at the moment.
Have you visited BFS Performance yet? https://www.bfs-performance.com/
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