my daughter has a 2000 ford explorer never had any problems faithful getting serviced every 3K miles - automatic and has about 55K miles on it. I was told it has an external head gasket leak - however never ran hot, do not have to replace coolant, do not know if they did a compression test, how do I know they are telling he truth? The engine runs fine and no problems. planning 1800 mile trip from grand island nebraska to Jacksonville florida should we chance it or get it fixed? I think they are ripping us off - a fast buck from a kid who does not know better