cracked block or blown head gaskets?

Asked by bugg_13 Jan 06, 2016 at 07:28 AM about the 2000 Ford Taurus SES

Question type: Maintenance & Repair

My sons taurus started useing alot more
water we noticed over a month or so.
Anyway one day it ran really hot to the point
that he said he pulled it over and
called me. We had our mechanic take a look
at it cause we noticed water in
the oil plus he ran it hot. How can you tell if
its a cracked block or blown head
gasket? Is there any way?

2 Answers

157,475

It is likely a bad head gasket, less likely a cracked head and least likely a cracked block. Taking it apart is going to be the only sure fire way to find out.

3 people found this helpful.
14,385

Mornin' all. If your car has the standard 12 valve engine the head gaskets are the most probable cause. Since the heads have a habit of warping when this happens they will need to be reworked by a machine shop, we have found that trading them in for an already reworked set of heads (autozone etc.) that have a warranty is the least expensive and easiest path for our customers. That is in addition to what Bob and Tennisshoes have also suggested.

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