Cracked head (intake) but 2 different stories from 2 different mechanics !

So, I just bought a 2008 FL Cascadia with the 14L DDEC 6 EGR engine. The truck was 800 miles away and rust free compared to the local trucks so I paid for a pre-purchase inspection. The dealer also sent me invoices showing that the head gasket and rad were replaced 6 months ago and still have a warranty left. This work was done by Mechanic A. The pre-purchase inspection place told me that everything was OK except for a few minor things. like a leaky brake chamber, a small chip on the brake pads and a burnt marker light on the cab. Nothing else wrong, solid truck.

So, based on this, I figured that they really checked everything out and I bought the truck. Flew to get it and drove it home. It was worse than I expected, the drive tires do not have 40% tread but are 1 mm above the wear indicators, there is a horrible shimmy like the engine is really out of balance, it pulls badly to the right and I noticed halfway through my trip that the coolant light was flashing so I topped it up. I tried to sleep in the bunk but there was no heat back there, so I drove home instead. I also noticed the smell of coolant when I turned on the heat so I thought maybe heater core. No big deal.

I've supposed to start flat deck work on the East coast ASAP.

Today, I brought it to a local mechanic that everyone uses and swears by. This is Mechanic B. He replaced the steady bearing in the middle of the driveshaft and adjusted the ride height and that fixed the awful vibrations.

The coolant lines to the rear bunk were disconnected and he pressure tested the system. Holds pressure so the heater core is fine. He checked the engine while it was cold and all was good no leaks, coolant is not mixing with oil and oil is not getting into the coolant so he decides to test the engine when hot with a stopper and a blue liquid in a bottle that changes color if the exhaust is leaking. No leaks there but it is bubbling like a fish tank and big bubbles, too. He checked the air compressor for leaks, the valve in the bunk for leaks and all is good.

He thinks that the head is cracked right around one of the intake valves. $10K to fix because my DDEC 6 engine was only made for 8 months and the only head that is available is a reman from Detroit. A DDEC 5 engine can even get a brand new head so no cracks at all.

So, I call the dealer that sold me the truck. Sorry, sold "as is" no warranty. Talked to a lawyer. She said I can sue the inspection company because I based my purchase decision on their clean bill of health but not the dealer.

Aside from the legal issues, Mechanic A said that he stands by his work and that he's done hundreds of head gaskets and never had a problem. He also told me that Detroit Series 60 EGR engines are bubbly to begin with so just open the cap while the engine is hot, release the trapped air and don't worry, you can just keep adding coolant until I start work and fix the head later. Oh, Mechanic B is just trying to sell me a head but if I drive it 800 miles back to his shop, he can set me up way cheaper. Finally, if the head gasket was bad, then coolant will overflow into the expansion tank so put a jar under it and test it. Don't worry, he says, even if air is getting into the cooling system, the rad cap will release the pressure and I can just drive it around like that. Hey, I drove it home 800 miles, didn't I?

Mechanic B tells me that there should be no air in the system at all and that I will blow a hose and eventually have too much coolant in the engine which will cause the coolant to get into the oil. Don't drive it off his lot, he says.

So, who is right? Can I drive around with a cracked intake and put in a jug of coolant every 1000 miles until I start making money or should I get the head replaced ASAP?

A court date won't happen for a year or longer so I need some help.

God, I love driving truck but can't stand the scummy people that I keep running into.

 

Thanks for the responses. I'm going to have the Freightliner dealer look at it. The local shop did check the air compressor and found nothing wrong. I will see what my options are this coming Monday, Dec 2. Today is Sat, Nov 30.

 

@CountryBumkin, this video is GREAT ! This is exactly what my truck is doing. Has a new head gasket (still under warranty in fact and he installed 2 new liners and shimmed them 30 thou over stock). AFAIK the 2 mechanics only disconnected the air compressor output line. I'm going to take it to a 3rd shop and specifically request that he disconnect the coolant limes to isolate the air compressor. The motor starts right up if the batteries are full so
I know the compression is good.

Doesn't overheat, no oil in coolant and visa versa so I'm thinking it is the compressor.

The only other symptom is super high oil pressure like 100 PSI even at idle when the truck is hot.

Seller has hinted at taking the truck back but for less than I paid for it.,,,