# F150 Head Gasket

**URL:** <https://community.cartalk.com/t/f150-head-gasket/57990>\
**Category:** Maintenance/Repairs\
**Tags:** ford, f150\
**Created:** [November 26, 2010, 8:09pm UTC](https://community.cartalk.com/t/f150-head-gasket/57990 "2010-11-26T20:09:15Z")\
**Posts on this page:** 4\
**Page:** 1

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**Author:** ![rick\_bo](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/r/46a35a/32.png) [@rick\_bo](https://community.cartalk.com/u/rick_bo)\
**Post date:** [November 26, 2010, 8:09pm UTC](https://community.cartalk.com/t/f150-head-gasket/57990/1 "2010-11-26T20:09:15Z")

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I have owned a 1999 Ford F150 since it was new. It is a 4.6 V8 with 90k miles and (2 w/d). Once in a while, the engine would miss or slightly hesitate at highway speed. As a result, I had my mechanic change the spark plugs and plug wires. Four of the old plugs have a white/grey dry crusty deposit on the plug tips almost 1/16" thick. These were removed from both sides of the engine. The other four plugs are much cleaner. The mechanic claims the white/grey deposits are the results of antifreeze on the end of the plugs which he says is a telltale sign that the head gaskets are beginning to fail. He further stated a repair could cost up to $3,000. The engine is running fine now. Is my mechanic giving me a correct diagnosis? Thank you.

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**Author:** ![Rod-Knox](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/r/a183cd/32.png) [@Rod-Knox](https://community.cartalk.com/u/Rod-Knox)\
**Post date:** [November 26, 2010, 8:24pm UTC](https://community.cartalk.com/t/f150-head-gasket/57990/2 "2010-11-26T20:24:36Z")

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Which cylinders? Maybe 1-6-7-4… or 5-2-3-8? If it is either of those a head gasket is not immediately indicated but rather problem in the intake or crankcase venting to the intake.

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**Author:** ![JayWB](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/j/e480ec/32.png) [@JayWB](https://community.cartalk.com/u/JayWB)\
**Post date:** [November 26, 2010, 8:30pm UTC](https://community.cartalk.com/t/f150-head-gasket/57990/3 "2010-11-26T20:30:14Z")

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Is the truck actually using any coolant?

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**Author:** ![rick\_bo](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/r/46a35a/32.png) [@rick\_bo](https://community.cartalk.com/u/rick_bo)\
**Post date:** [November 26, 2010, 8:36pm UTC](https://community.cartalk.com/t/f150-head-gasket/57990/4 "2010-11-26T20:36:12Z")

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The coolant is up to the top (cool fill line when engine is cold). There has been no coolant added to my knowldedge, other than 1 year ago when my mechanic changed upper and lower radiator hoses.