I bought me a 1993 Ford Ranger with 3.0L and 123K miles a few months ago to save on some Fuel. My F-250 was killing me. The Ranger Runs Great! Lately My Check oil Light has been coming on. So I have Checked the oil and it was slightly below the Full line each time the light came on, so I added each time. I have been wondering where the oil has been going cause it has not leaked anything on the ground. Thought it might just be burning a little oil. Well I come out today and on the front right side I see a small area of leaking Fluid. Of course it being Green I knew it was Rad. Fluid. So I Checked Fluid at the Rad Cap and it was Clean and not that low. Then I go and Check the Rad. Overflow Res. and it is Brown. and I can see where it was overflowing a little out into the engine Compartment. So that Kinda of explains where my oil has been going. I am aware the trans Fluid Cooler is in the Rad. and I am 99% sure its oil since I have been having to add oil. I have also Checked my Oil and no Rad. Fluid is getting in the oil at all.

Anyways I have done a little Research and I have seen Blown Head Gasket and Cracked head a lot in my research. So I am guessing I am looking at one of these two issues? Or is there more possible issues that it might be? As little as I paid for the Truck I dont think it would be worth fixing if It was one of those two things.

 

it could be a cracked head or blown gasket or the block itself could be cracked, i had a 93 that did the same thing the block was cracked behind the water pump so oil and antifreeze were mixing together

 

Thanks for that great news...lol

 

Do a compression test and pressure test your radiator before you jump to conclusions. Both tools should be available through your local parts store on their loaner tool program.

 

My 98 Ranger has 232,000 miles on it and uses no oil and has no antifreeze leaks. The inside of my overflow reservoir is a dirty brown color too. I would follow the advice of wp120470 and do a compression test and while your at it pressure check your radiator as well. Burning a little oil at 123K is nothing to worry about. Good luck.

 

If it makes you feel any better I just got done replacing head gaskets and stuff to flush the inside of my block of rust and crap. I was told cracked heads on a 3.0 are rather rare but blown head gaskets are common. It was an easy job compared to the crap I work on every day.

 

Thanks guys I will get those Testing Kits from the my local Auto store and see what I can find out...