So my 2003 4.7 seems to be drinking antifreeze - not much but when I start it I can always smell antifreeze at the exhaust pipe - it doesn't heat up at all and not using a lot but I'm affraid that its a head gasket. Anyhow do you agree and if so what else should I replace while I have it out of comission? Timing chain, tensioners, what else. Mileage is 147,000. Still runs good.

Thanks,
Elliott

 

Probably head gasket. Could be the actual head but it'd probably be running like sh*t and generated a misfire CEL if it was.
I think you are on the right track...

 

to check for sure if it is take off the oil filler tube or dip something in the tube to see if it is milky, when i did it all i did was replace the spark plugs but thinking back i should of changed the tstat so you dont have to drain the fluid again

 

Pretty clear and simple to me. If you are not leaking externally then you are leaking internally. Sorry to hear about the issues but seems that deep down inside, you already know what you got to do.

 

yea your right, I know I need to but *should* I go ahead and do the the timing chain and anything else? Don't know much about this 4.7 so I dont want to waste my time....If I have her apart, I'll replace what I should replace.

/m

 

Your timing chain and other things should have been replaced long before now. The timing chain alone should have been done back around 100k.

So does it need to be replaced? Yes, along with the plugs, coil wires, belt, rad hoses, ect.

 

ok ok, well I can't say for sure it wasnt since I just bought it but I'll check it out....

thanks.

 

+1 make sure you have your heads checked out the shop replaced mine head gaskets and I still smelled anitfreeze for 3 months and they said everything was fine the truck ran awsome and it did but I still smelled it so I had them tear it back down and I had a cracked head :-( so even if it still runs great allways have your heads check because you dont want to have to do it twice ;-)

 

yep man mine is in the shop right now i would do the timing chain while in there and like they said have the heads checked going to cost some cash if not doing work urself

 

We have a thread in our FAQs on how to break down the 4.7 guys. Might save some money for someone