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Tractor Talk Discussion Forum

OT- Ford 3.8 V6 Question

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Mike- IN

08-14-2007 05:59:45




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I recently bought a 95 Mercury Cougar with the 3.8 V6. After researching online I found that this engine had many head gasket problems due to the cast block/aluminum head combination. My question is this: Is there anything I can do to diminish the chance of blowing head gaskets besides watching the engine temperature? (the car only has 57K miles, reading online most gaskets blow between 60K and 80+K miles). Would switching from a 16PSI radiator cap to a lower PSI radiator cap (10PSI??) help or cause cooling problems?

PS- I know Ford had a recall for 3.8 head gasket replacement, but this car was not serviced. If at all possible I'd like to avoid any contact with a dealer.

Thanks in advance for any advice.

Mike

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gene bender

08-14-2007 14:26:05




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 Re: OT- Ford 3.8 V6 Question in reply to Mike- IN, 08-14-2007 05:59:45  
Take heads off and machine them then install as they never will leak again. My cousin says if they dont leak at 70,000 they will never leak. He was a FORD mech for yrs.



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rich4

08-14-2007 11:40:45




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 Re: OT- Ford 3.8 V6 Question in reply to Mike- IN, 08-14-2007 05:59:45  
Knock on wood, I have owned 3.0 and 4.0 Ford V6 engines, both went past 160000 miles with no engine work before they were sold still running fine. Your engine should not fail just because people tell you it will. I am sure many 3.8's have lived to high mileage status.



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Vern-MI

08-14-2007 10:55:42




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 Re: OT- Ford 3.8 V6 Question in reply to Mike- IN, 08-14-2007 05:59:45  
Watch for missing heads on the retaining bolts. The bolts are tightened into their yield point and somtimes the heads pop off. Anytime you replace the head gasket use all new bolts. The head expands approximately 0.022" more than the block that it is fastened to due to the thermal coefficient of expansion being different between cast iron and aluminum. The solution is in the head gasket that will allow scrubbing to occur without failing. I had 5 of these cougar 3.8L and only had a problem with the '85 at about 70,000 miles. It was a great engine when it was working right. It is basically the 5.0 Liter with two cylinders cut off.

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Jim James

08-14-2007 09:16:12




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 Re: OT- Ford 3.8 V6 Question in reply to Mike- IN, 08-14-2007 05:59:45  
I also had a 1993 T-Bird bought new and at about 65,000 miles with no warning, not hot or anything, I went to the fair, parked in the parking lot and came out and the car woulf not even turn over. I caught a ride home and then went back the next day to find that the motor had hyd. locked due to a cyc. full of anti freeze. I was so upset to call Ford and find out that the 94 and newer cars were recalled but not the 93. This was a fairly new car back then and I was so upset that I sold the car and have not owned a 3.8 since.

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bradk

08-14-2007 07:14:41




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 Re: OT- Ford 3.8 V6 Question in reply to Mike- IN, 08-14-2007 05:59:45  
The best things you can do is to maintain the cooling system(clean coolant and correct ph),and let the engine warm up a few minutes before driving.

Some of these never had problems.Also,the factory installed cooling system tablets in the block during assy.Throwing a couple in won't hurt a bit.



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earlschieb

08-14-2007 06:46:44




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 Re: OT- Ford 3.8 V6 Question in reply to Mike- IN, 08-14-2007 05:59:45  
To put it simply, a lot of the 3.8 engines had head gasket problems, some never did show up, the ones that did blow, were replaced, and most never had a problem again. Best bet, change yours when you have the time and money, you should never have to worry about them again.



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McRay

08-14-2007 06:30:20




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 Re: OT- Ford 3.8 V6 Question in reply to Mike- IN, 08-14-2007 05:59:45  
Keep engine from over heating. Go with copper head gasket, if ever have to replace head gasket.
Some 3.8 engine will go many miles with no problem. Proper oil change and very little maintance.



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Eric Blazek

08-14-2007 06:21:23




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 Re: OT- Ford 3.8 V6 Question in reply to Mike- IN, 08-14-2007 05:59:45  
Hi Mike, I purchased a new 1993 T-bird with the 3.8L. First of all, if you didn't already know, it is almost always the right(passenger)side head gasket that blows out. This motor was used in the Sables and Taurus' and they all had the gasket issue as well. Mine blew out @ 99,925 miles. I had it replaced and the car just turned 190,000 miles this past week. The key would be to watch for antifreeze in the oil and if the gasket does blow try and not run the engine very long (<100 mi. approx.) to prevent the antifreeze from getting down into the crank bearings. Here is another tip: the transmissions on the Cougar/T-birds tend to crap out from over heating, I would highly recommend changing the filter and fluid soon, I generally do mine every 40K-50K miles. My commnets are all based on my experiences over the past 15 years, I am not a licensed mechanic. Good Luck, eb

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Martini

08-14-2007 06:31:59




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 Re: OT- Ford 3.8 V6 Question in reply to Eric Blazek, 08-14-2007 06:21:23  
Had the same problem on a GM 3.1 Liter V6.
I converted the fan to run full time and watch
the temp gauge (if you have one) for overheating
in hot weather during slow travel.



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