What would you do with a bad head gasket on your 2.3l?

[cocopanda]

I recently picked up a ecoboost mustang and confirmed that I have a bad head gasket with a combustion test on the coolant reservoir. What would you guys do? Try repairing the head gasket or just buying a remanufactured engine core? I bought this car as something that I can tool and learn on. I am not very invested in it beyond tooling. But I wonder if it is even worth repairing the head gasket and just trying to find a newer 2.3l without the shitty slotted coolant lanes. But then again a self repaired head gasket is much cheaper than an engine going in.

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[robvas]

 

[Jaymar]

So you bought a car to learn to wrench on it but don't want to wrench on it? Don't worry about changes to the coolant passages, if you fix yours it will joint the thousands of other Ecoboosts of that design that are currently out there running fine.

 

[Paddles]

Damn, sorry to hear that.

How hard has it been run since the gasket failed and for how long?
If it hasn't overheated you might still be ok.
The 2015s were pretty fragile though.
If you try for the gasket route look into upgrading the gasket and studs.

A new block would be ideal, depending on cost.

 

[Keeffa]

Depends why gasket blew, and did it overheat damaging the head and block.
If not get head skimmed and should be fine.
Check thermostat and radiator.
Get the cam timing right.
Bob's your uncle, ride on.

 

[Keeffa]

Not sure John Wick would approve

 

[cocopanda]

So you bought a car to learn to wrench on it but don't want to wrench on it? Don't worry about changes to the coolant passages, if you fix yours it will joint the thousands of other Ecoboosts of that design that are currently out there running fine.

I have never replaced a motor before. So that would be a big step for me in learning. I've fixed a few mustangs in my time. But have not done a full engine swap before. It would be a big undertaking for me.

 

[cocopanda]

Damn, sorry to hear that.

How hard has it been run since the gasket failed and for how long?
If it hasn't overheated you might still be ok.
The 2015s were pretty fragile though.
If you try for the gasket route look into upgrading the gasket and studs.

A new block would be ideal, depending on cost.

It hasn't overheated at all yet. It only had a low coolant alert one time. When I was driving it around town to. It had no serious issues besides the misfire on cylinder 1. But I noticed the coolant system was overpressured. So I did the exhaust gas test on the coolant reservoir and bingo it turned green without the car even on. So there was plenty of exhaust gas in the coolant from the night before.

Because it hasn't outright overheated. I'm hoping the block and the top are not warped. I will only be able to confirm that after a tear down.

Looking online. I can find a 2.3l crate engine for just over 3K for a new unit and just under $2800 for a low mile used unit. So I'm going to save up for a few months and make a plan.

 

[Jaymar]

I have never replaced a motor before. So that would be a big step for me in learning. I've fixed a few mustangs in my time. But have not done a full engine swap before. It would be a big undertaking for me.

Most likely just pull the head off and inspect/measure for flat. Worst case scenario if you did a full motor it's same thing for same thing so it isn't as bad as you think. I learned the ropes by doing the same to an old 302.

 

[warnerwh]

I'd do as Jaymar above suggests and just put in a new head gasket. I can't tell how long you've had the car as you say recently. I have to wonder if the previous owner knew the head gasket was gone and that's why he sold it.
So if it has been over heated it might be a problem. I'd still just put in a new head gasket and see what happens if the head is ok. You may want to take the head to a shop that does engine builds and get them to look at the head to confirm it's not warped, it doesn't take much.
I'm guessing there's no sign of coolant in the oil.

 

[CrazyHippie]

Tear down the engine, and have it assessed for overheating damage. If it's good to go, upgrade studs, replace the head gasket and go. If the engine shows signs of overheating damage, drop a new engine in there. It's not a big deal.

Or, sell and replace with a GT.

 

[Call_Me_Bruce]

Pull the head, make sure all of the cylinders are not damaged. Coolant into the combustion chamber is not good for the long term health or compression. If you go the head gasket route, take it to a machine shop and have it planed. If you have a few bucks and the cylinders are not damaged, have the machine shop do a valve job, especially if the valves are covered in carbon. I did a similar job on a 2.0 Ecoboost in a Fusion. It’s not awful, but it’s not easy either. I’m a DIY’er so take take this with a huge grain of salt.

 

[GR1MxREAPER]

Eithr do a full engine build so its reliable or sell the car and get a 5.0 bro… not turning this into an ecoboost bashing session but if your trying to have fun and push power this is gonna happen again…

 

[cocopanda]

Most likely just pull the head off and inspect/measure for flat. Worst case scenario if you did a full motor it's same thing for same thing so it isn't as bad as you think. I learned the ropes by doing the same to an old 302.

I'd do as Jaymar above suggests and just put in a new head gasket. I can't tell how long you've had the car as you say recently. I have to wonder if the previous owner knew the head gasket was gone and that's why he sold it.
So if it has been over heated it might be a problem. I'd still just put in a new head gasket and see what happens if the head is ok. You may want to take the head to a shop that does engine builds and get them to look at the head to confirm it's not warped, it doesn't take much.
I'm guessing there's no sign of coolant in the oil.

Ya, no sign of coolant in the oil. The only thing I think that is also happening. Is the water pump weep hole is leaking. So that will get replaced when everything gets tore down. But I think I'll try to just replace the head gasket and go from there. If I have to replace the motor. Hopefully the new gasket will give me a couple pay days before it gives again.

 

[Ecto1]

Since it's a learning exercise the head gasket is a respectable place to start. It'll also allow you to visually inspect the condition to the head &/or cylinders/pistons before you decide how to proceed. If neither the block or heads show any damage I'd just replace the head gasket. If either show signs of damage then you'll have to replace one or the other. But I wouldn't make any decisions BEFORE inspecting the conditions of either one. And that will require removing the head. Seems like the best place to start.

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