How to tell if the head is blown and not worth fixing?

Tiny
STACYG82
  • MEMBER
  • 2006 FORD EXPEDITION
  • V8
  • AUTOMATIC
  • 83,000 MILES
We are in the process of buying the '06 Ford Expedition. We were told that the head was blown. That the motor was cracked. Well, my boyfriend left it over and put it on the diagnostic machine and it said that's some coils were misfiring, so he replaced those. But they were used so unsure if that's still the problem or not. But now it's in limp mode or fail safe. We changed the starter and cleaned the throttle body. He topped off all the fluids and checked all the sensors. How do we get it out of fail-safe mode? And how do you tell if the head is blown and not worth fixing?
Saturday, April 19th, 2025 AT 8:41 PM

3 Replies

Tiny
STEVE W.
  • MECHANIC
  • 15,233 POSTS
I would start with testing to see if it has internal issues first.

https://www.2carpros.com/articles/head-gasket-blown-test

If it's the 5.4 triton engine they have known issues with timing chains and cam phasers that can cause multiple codes and cause it to go into limp mode as well.
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Sunday, April 20th, 2025 AT 4:18 PM
Tiny
STACYG82
  • MEMBER
  • 2 POSTS
I will have him do the tests and get back to you. Thanks for your help.
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Monday, April 21st, 2025 AT 7:44 AM
Tiny
STEVE W.
  • MECHANIC
  • 15,233 POSTS
No rush, we will be here.
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Monday, April 21st, 2025 AT 1:29 PM

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