# 98 Ford Explorer-Blown Head gasket

**URL:** <https://community.cartalk.com/t/98-ford-explorer-blown-head-gasket/19399>\
**Category:** Maintenance/Repairs\
**Created:** [September 10, 2008, 3:37pm UTC](https://community.cartalk.com/t/98-ford-explorer-blown-head-gasket/19399 "2008-09-10T15:37:55Z")\
**Posts on this page:** 1\
**Page:** 1

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**Author:** ![KATHEMAJORS](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/k/ba9def/32.png) [@KATHEMAJORS](https://community.cartalk.com/u/KATHEMAJORS)\
**Post date:** [September 10, 2008, 3:37pm UTC](https://community.cartalk.com/t/98-ford-explorer-blown-head-gasket/19399/1 "2008-09-10T15:37:55Z")

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My parents 98 Ford explorer was a fantastic car, giving almost no problems until I bought it. Now it has a “blown head gasket” My mechanic in Albuquerque tells me that the engine ( a 6 with overhead cams) tends to blow the head gasket after 80,000 miles, and that a rebuild will cost approximately $4,500. They say that simply replacing the head gasket isn’t a good idea as it when the head gasket blows a lot of other damage usually occurs. Could we replace the engine with a rebuilt V-8 that wouldn’t have this design flaw. Do you have any other suggestions? Particulars on the Car are: 98 Ford explorer SUV, 6 cylinder overhead cam engine, 4 wheel drive transmission, 88,000 miles, well maintained, usually with synthetic oil, interior and exterior in very good shape