Help please - my 98 5.0 Explorer started overheating, mechanic says cracked block?

[King$nake]

Ok so yesterday I was going to work in 115 degree heat, and my truck started overheating? I was a bit surprised...I had just replaced the Radiator (also have a brand new transmission, new 8.8" diff., brand new tires, etc, etc.). This vehicle has 134,x.. miles or so.

Anyways, I pull over, fill the reservoir with water and continue to drive it just another half mile or so to the mechanic shop. I decided just to park it there and let them take a look at it. I figure it may be an old hose or something.

So this was yesterday. Today I get a call from the shop saying that the block failed the test, and I have a crack in the block, and that I need to have it towed out of there.

How likely is this? Just does not make sense? Its a 5.0 V8, and 134,x.. isn't too much for that motor. I've just never heard of a cracked block on a N/A motor like this.

What do you guys think? Should I have it towed somewhere and get a second opinion? Granted, I have not picked it up yet and don't have all the details.

Im a bit puzzled right now. Any help would be appreciated,

Thanks
Joe

 

[Dan Whitaker]

Sounds fishy to me. I would get a second opinion.

 

[Joe Dirt]

I agree. Second opinion is definitely needed... How well do you know this mechanic? Sounds like he's waiting for the "Well, I don't have anywhere else to take it, can you fix it?" Golden ticket to appear...

 

[King$nake]

I agree. Second opinion is definitely needed... How well do you know this mechanic? Sounds like he's waiting for the "Well, I don't have anywhere else to take it, can you fix it?" Golden ticket to appear...

I do not know this mechanic at all. I work on Camp Pendleton and this place was the closest shop to where I was at on base when I start overheating. My temp. needle was right at "H" so I decided just to pull in and drop it off. I had to take some RSO tests that day, plus the heat (like I said, it was HOT out) I just decided to let somebody else look at it so I wouldn't have to worry about it.

Im going to work on having it sent to another mechanic. Thing is, I know of another mechanic (who I've used and is reputable) not more than 4 miles from where my truck is now. Im thinking if I top off the radiator with water and and fill the reservoir - I may be able to start the truck up and drive it just to this other guy (like I said, probably not more than 3-4 miles away). Would you guys recommend this? Or should I not risk it and just put it on a flatbed?

Thanks for the input

 

[windsors03cobra]

Of course I would drive it, fill it with water and go over there.
Sounds very fishy, Have it towed out of there what kind of mickey mouse shoppes says that ?

 

[Joe Dirt]

Agreed- fill 'er up and run her over. It's a 5-oh... I doubt it really even needs coolant OR oil anyway. The things we used to do to our Mustangs...

 

[ponch68]

"Block failed the test" What test is he referring to? I agree wit the others. Fill it up and drive it over to another shop. The fact that he didn't give you an estimate for replacing the engine makes me think he's not trying to scam you. I've never heard of a mechanic turning away a simple engine R and R. Those are relatively easy money makers. There are many reasons for over heating. Do you have a lot of white smoke coming from your exhaust? Does your oil look brown? Does your radiator have oil in it? I'd check these things first. They are not "the test" but are usually pretty good indicators of a cracked block, head or gasket. Good Luck!

 

['97 V8]

Check the oil to see if its slightly milky.

 

[King$nake]

Alright - to anybody that is interested, here is the crap that went down today.

So yesterday, they were supposed to have my Ex looked at and diagnosed by 1900. Well I never heard from them until 1100 today. When they called, they said my V8 failed the block test and that I have a "crack in the block". Like I mentioned - Im thinking wtf?

So I go down there to pick it up. Don't say a word...I just pay the $72 and pick up my vehicle. I drive it outside and my dad is there (he brought me on base as I didnt have a truck).

We pop the hood outside and start looking around. The paperwork from the mechanic says "Head Gasket / Block failed Compression Test / Thermostat" etc., very vague with no real specific diagnosis.

So anyways we pop the hood and I attempt to fill the radiator with water. The plan is to temp. top it off and then drive it to another mechanic for a more specific diagnosis.

When I start putting water in the radiator, I notice it is immediately pouring out somewhere on the ground - almost as fast as I can fill it. It's literally coming out like a hose. My heart sank and I started thinking oh crap...but I was puzzled because when I started it and drove that short distance around front, it seemed to be running fine.

So upon further inspection, I noticed the "leak" is under the thermostat housing. At first, we think there is a hole in the actual housing. I go down to the oil change place down the street and ask them if they have a hose clamp or something of that nature so I can temporarily block off the leak so I can atleast drive home until I can get a replacement housing. At this point, I still don't know if there are multiple problems with the cooling system or if I had narrowed it down to the housing itself.

Well, the guy from the oil change place starts looking at it, and we find that the thermostat housing hose itself has a dime-sized hole in it! So this guy is cool and starts helping me out. We get the hose off after we cut up our knuckles, lol, and we see this giant hole underneath the hose.

So we called the local Autozone and went and found the exact hose we need for $5. We come back on base, install the hose and then top off the radiator with water. The truck now runs like a champ (like a 5.0 always does). Turns out the whole time I just had a relatively small cooling hose that punctured.

So now Im really pissed at the mechanics shop. I took the bad hose up there with my running truck and tell them the whole story. The mechanic who worked on my truck was still adamant that I had a leaking head gasket for whatever reason (I still dont WTF he is smoking). But the manager ended up refunding my $$$ (the $72) after I presented my case.

So I drove it home, not a single leak - everything runs great, also got my diagnoses $$$ refunded. All in all a good day but stressful. I spent most of the morning panicking over the thought of a cracked block.

I may or may not file a complaint against the shop. Since it is on a Military base, the people in charge take filed complaints very seriously. However I did hear from the oil change guys down the street that the mechanic shop were "crooks" and they are always hearing about people getting ripped off from them, including active-duty Marines, which is very dishonorable IMO.

Anyways, sorry for the drama but it's all fixed. My good 'ol 5.0 is smiling again.

Thanks for all your input and advice, I was blessed today

 

[windsors03cobra]

Ah yes the bypass hose, thats a treat to change.

Good works on all but 1 shoppes part. What a bunch of rats.

 

[Joe Dirt]

Bravo!

I knew something was fishy... Kudos for a job well investigated, fixed, and kudos to the guy at the quick lube as well for being helpful. Glad all is well...

If they are in fact ripping people off, I think you should say something. Someone may not be so lucky- and I hate the thought of someone in uniform risking their lives to gain a paycheck- just to have these idiots take their money. Screw that- that doesn't even approach honorable. Not that ripping anyone off is a good thing, but especially not someone in uniform who risks their life to give you the freedom to run that shop in the first place.

 

[celly]

Sounded fishy to me. Glad to hear it was minor. That 5.0 is barely broken in.

 

[my98nnj]

I may or may not file a complaint against the shop. Since it is on a Military base, the people in charge take filed complaints very seriously. However I did hear from the oil change guys down the street that the mechanic shop were "crooks" and they are always hearing about people getting ripped off from them, including active-duty Marines, which is very dishonorable IMO.

Great story! Glad you fixed it and got your $$ back.

BUT - I'd still file a complaint!!!!

 

[Dan Whitaker]

What really made me crap my pants was the fact it's the end of Sep and it was 115 there deg

It was in the high 70's low 80's here.

 

[Falconkeeper]

Knowing military bases (retired Air Force), definitely file a complaint. I know that ripping off military personnel is a fine art just off base, but a shop ON THE BASE had better have it's stuff together to HELP military personnel. File a complaint and get the shop, or at least that mechanic kicked off base, permanently. Working on base is a privilege, not a right. Helping out GIs should be an honor, not an excuse to steal.