2004 with p0302 ( or not ? )

My guess would be head gasket. As @JudoJohn said, the head has to come off either way so it should be more apparent at that point

 

gonna pick this up and drop it off at a guy my brother knows that can do the work for cheap will see whats up, also will have them hopefully check for cracked head maybe

 

Keep us updated. When do you expect to have that happen?

 

Contacting the dude who can work on it tomorrow, as then dropping it off as soon as gasket kit comes in

 

Sounds good

 

just double checking thats the right kit I posted ?

 

Looks like it to me. 2.7L 4cyl

 

I just saw this by coincidence. It may help direct you toward what your issue may actually be.

https://youtu.be/JrHB_ZHiY0g

 

Nice video. they didn't go into a lot of detail about the valve issues. I am not sure why they replaced the head instead of reconditioning it. If the valve seats were bad, usually you can have new ones installed by a machine shop.

 

They rarely do since they aren't a repair channel. My belief is that they replaced the head and the repair man kept the original as a core to rebuild.

 

first shop i've contacted dude said $1000 for labor + parts + any additional expenses

 

That's actually pretty cheap, from my understanding. Still cheaper than a new truck or engine. Wouldn't hurt to price shop though.

 

also said if they send out head to machine shop to rebalance / smooth it out or whatever its called, will be around $150 for that. I mean got the truck for just under 6000 so got room for expenses

 

update again, talked to a friend who has a shop, and they quoted me $800 for labor + $320 ~ for OEM kit from dealer. Probably going that route.

 

Cool! Keep us posted!

 

Any updates?