97 F150 just started loosing coolent. ive been to leakingfords.com but i was wondering if there is any way to tell if it is the head gasket, intake gasket or front engine cover gasket? Can a compression test tell me if its a bad head gasket? Im hoping its the manifold gasket but is there a way to tell for sure so i can get the parts before ripping apart the top half of the engine. Also does anyone know if the current felpro listed gaskets for this engine of year 97 fix the early gasket problems or do i have to go to the ford dealer? I just want another 10k miles out of this engine.
Also what if i pull each plug and fill the cylinder with compressed air and check for bubbles in the radiator? Is this a good way to test for a leaking intake gasket? Im afraid to do this because i might blow out a gasket that isnt bad. I figure about 90psi would be a good pressure because its slightly less than compression pressure. Thanks for looking
Well i did a compression test today. The number 1 cylinder was at 154psi and all the rest were around 175psi. I didnt expect numbers that high. Also the plugs looked clean. no white resedue from burned coolant. The coolent looks slightly murky but not oily. I think i elimated that its a head gasket. Also when i was doing the compression test no fluid came out through any spark plug hole while i was cranking. No leaks on the garage floor. I guess my next step should be to pressure test the cooling system. I have to find someone with a tester though. Any other ideas?
Matt,the first thing you should do is have an "oasis" done on your truck by Ford. This will determine if the timing cover gasket was replaced under the recall.If it was,that is one less problem.Then,have a pressure test done.Most likely your lower intake gaskets are about to fail.
__________________ 2007XL R/Cab,4.2 V6,auto
The anticipation of death is worse then death itself!
I would have that check done by ford only the engine is not the origional. The previous owner had to replace the origional engine because he overheated it and kept driving. I dont even know how many miles are on the current engine. I would guess about 80-90k. The truck odometer reads 150k. I found two stickers on the driver side valve cover. One large one on the top and one small one on the front. I could find a date on either of these but they were faded. Is one of these stickers the one with the date on it or is it somewhere else that im missing?
Thanks for the advise so far. I need to get my hands on a pressure tester. Does anyone know if they sell a cheap one at autozone?
Matt,if the engine was replaced,it most likely has updated gaskets; unless it was bought from Ford prior to 1/98.The decal on the drivers side valve cover should have the manufacture date.
You should have a reliable source do the pressure test.
__________________ 2007XL R/Cab,4.2 V6,auto
The anticipation of death is worse then death itself!
2007XL R/Cab,4.2 V6,auto
