Hi there! I'm new to this forum..
I am experiencing some trouble with my Ford Courier (also known as Ranger in the US i believe). She is really well maintained and has done 320,000km's... looks like new.
I was towing the other day and the temp rose quite quickly. I pulled over and discovered the coolant was low. I filled up the coolant and away i went (800Km road trip interstate). When going through towns I had to slow to a stop and I noticed white smoke billowing out of the exhaust.
The car seems to be running ok except for the smoke at idle and taking off. It goes away after driving for a bit and getting the engine temp nice and warm. When I stop and start again it will slowly begin to get smokey again on idle.

I have a list of potential issues after some research as follows:
1. Check Air intake filter for block
2. Check Idle control valve
3. Check glow plugs - if clean then coolant is getting into the chamber (bad)
4. Replace Fan clutch (turns freely when pushed)
5. Possible Injector Pump
6. Possible cylinder head gasket
7. Possible Injector pump
8. Possible fuel pump
9. Possible fuel cut off valve
10. Possible Turbo

I should add that a little while ago the hose from the inter-cooler to the manifold blew off under pressure whilst i was driving and the turbo doesn't seem as effective at present. Coolant is being pushed into the overflow chamber also.

Can anyone offer some advice as to where to begin on this? Obviously i am going to do my checks so i don't spend unnecessary $$ but where to from there?

cheers

 

welcome to FTE.
first thing i would do is a coolant hydrocarbon test.
this will tell you if exhaust gasses are in the coolant. if they are, then you most likely have a blown head gasket.
also, how much coolant are you loosing? that will be a red flag also.

 

Does that use an air to air intercooler or an air to water?