I suspect my head gasket as failed on my 2013 Focus. Getting a lot of white smoke from the exhaust and losing coolant (degas hoses have been replaced) I have had a couple of tests done inc coolant sniff test which as confirmed exhaust gas in the coolant, but not a compression test. I have spoken to a few garages now who don't want anything to do with the car, they say the problem will be much more than a gasket and will probably involve a new engine to resolve. I have an appointment with Ford main dealer on the 15th of September where hopefully they will diagnose the problem correctly. Has anyone on here suffered the same issue, and what was the resolution? There's no way I am going to pay for an engine, but also don't want to lose a 5k car to the scrap man. Any advice will be greatly appreciated....thanks 

Head gaskets don't just fail, something must've caused it to happen.

It's probably easier to fit a new engine as the timing belt is a PITA to remove/refit, involving a number of specialist tools. Plus if you do this, remove the head and discover a crack or a knackered block you wasted that money.

I agree with above comment, usually once the headgaskets fail there's a potential for a warped block or head so it's much safer to just do the whole engine.

Ford cover any coolant related issues under warranty (regardless of age and milage) as long as you haven't already accepted the degas hoses as a warranty repair (ford only offer you one fix for free). 

On 9/2/2021 at 8:50 PM, MasterTechTip said:

I agree with above comment, usually once the headgaskets fail there's a potential for a warped block or head so it's much safer to just do the whole engine.

Ford cover any coolant related issues under warranty (regardless of age and milage) as long as you haven't already accepted the degas hoses as a warranty repair (ford only offer you one fix for free). 

The degas hoses was replaced 2 years ago after splitting. I remember the technician saying that the engine was fine and then they carried out the 50k service, I can't recall signing anything. I have accepted that the engine will need replacing now, what I don't accept is that I got zero warning that there was an issue, no warning lights or overheating on the gauge. The first I realised that there was a problem was the cooling fan overrunning when the engine was off. Hopefully Ford will help but I'm extremely doubtful. 

If you didn't sign anything then you're fine, you have to sign a document for the one time free warranty repair. 

Yeah that's why Ford are replacing them for free, the first generation Ecoboost engines were the first engine Ford had made without a cylinder head temperature sensor and guess what.... They lost coolant and overheated the cylinder head 😂 

As long as the fault with the engine is coolant related (loss of coolant usually by a leak caused by coolant pump, front cover coolant seal, thermostat or snapped degas hose) then Ford will pay for it... Headgasket is a bit of grey area for me as I think it could be argued as a mechanical part failing causing the issue rather than a coolant related issue

On 9/4/2021 at 7:43 PM, MasterTechTip said:

If you didn't sign anything then you're fine, you have to sign a document for the one time free warranty repair. 

Yeah that's why Ford are replacing them for free, the first generation Ecoboost engines were the first engine Ford had made without a cylinder head temperature sensor and guess what.... They lost coolant and overheated the cylinder head 😂 

As long as the fault with the engine is coolant related (loss of coolant usually by a leak caused by coolant pump, front cover coolant seal, thermostat or snapped degas hose) then Ford will pay for it... Headgasket is a bit of grey area for me as I think it could be argued as a mechanical part failing causing the issue rather than a coolant related issue

Thanks, I can almost guarantee that I will fall in the grey area bracket!! Its what happens next is the issue 🤦‍♂️

Hi Peter,

what did for ford do to fix the problem? I am experiencing something simar in my car too.

Regards

Varun