Can some one tell me more about this gasket / hydro lock problem? I just bought a used 98 w/ 100k on it (a week ago). I want to make sure I am watching for the right problems. I do not want to replace an engine, or other major parts if I can just do some prevention.

Over all my trucks seems to run great. a hard start every now and then, but I changed the fuel filter & cleaned the IAC, seems to be helping.

Anyother things I need to watch for, or signs of trouble?

 

Loss of coolant,milkey looking stuff on oil dip stick.

 

hi, check for any white, sweet smelling vapor from the exuast. keep a close eye on the coolant level making sure it does't drop. get the oil analised. when you do a oil change look for anifreeze when the drain plug is first opened. change the gaskets if you are not sure.

 

Can you look on the valve cover and see a sticker showing the build date?
You might not have the early suspect gaskets.
Worth watching either way though. No harm in keeping an eye on it.

 

i dont know if i'll go that far to check the build date.

According to carfax, the truck was built in the late summer of 98, and delivered to dealership in october 0f 98. but I guess the engine could have been built long before that.

 

If the engine was built before 1/15/98 then yes there is a problem.

 

I wouldnt think the engine would be built that many months before the truck was sent to the dealer. but who knows.

I do think my coolant level has gone down in the 800 miles I have owned the truck.

It seems to start pretty hard some mornings (AZ mornings arent really that cold), but will start fine the rest of the day after that one hard start. Wouldnt leaking coolant into a cylinder cause the Check engine light to come on at some point in time?

where is this faulty gasket? is it something a regular home mech. can do? I have done a good amount of work on my cards, but never too much engine. Just the usual brakes, oil changes. I have pulled a radiator and even a clutch throw out on a fwd 4 banger.

thanks guys.

 

Mine starts hard as well. I have cleaned and or replaced everything these guys have mentioned, and I just take it as a fact that thats how it starts. Doesn't really seem to hurt nothing.

 

start hard, all the time or really really hard some times?

 

Mine starts hard when cold. It sometimes doesn't start the first time, and stutters for about 5 to 10 seconds. Then after the stutter it purrs just fine, and if not allowed to cool down to very cold temperatures it will start good all day. However, the odd time when its cold out, it starts just fine, like theres nothing wrong. This leads me to believe that this is just how it is, since its not consistent.

 

that is exactly mine. That shutter is what worries me. but a little gas will power right through it. i wondered if it was a fuel pressure deal. I just read last night about turning the key back and forth a few times before a start, to "prime the line" kind of thing. I have not tried it yet. I'll let you know if it helps.

Has your truck always done this? for how long? when did it start? how many miles do you have on it?

I just know id rather not spend $600 chasing a problem that may not be a problem. Then again $600 for a gasket fix, is cheaper than a $2000 engine rebuild.

 

When I start the truck I wait for the faint fuel pump to quit making noise. Then I whirl it over, at least I know things are up to pressure that way. My thinking is that once you let things prime up, your primed, and the key off/on thing won't do much, maybe it helps though. Let me know what you find. Your right, when you tap the gas the stutter quits and starts fine.

My truck has about 75,000 miles on it. Started to do this often around 55,000 miles, but it was never a solid starter right from day one.

Like I said, I have replaced and tryed to fix almost everything these guys have said to do on here, and the result is never what I hoped. So, with that, I take it as normal. When its cold I try to plug it in, always seems to help with starting issues. Good luck!

 

To all with the hard start, definately keep an eye on your coolant level. Also check your plugs for signs of coolant in the cylinders. If you do have the faulty intake seal a little coolant will leak into your cylinder(s) over night and since fluid does not compress you will have a harder start in the morning. Your engine will hopefully burn it out and then run smoothly. But if the leak progresses and there is too much fluid in the cylinder(s) you will have hydrolock and bend a rod. Then your bearings for that piston will probably be shot and since the tolerances are so tight your piston might hit the counter weight causing a knock and you will nead a rebuild... So watch your coolant level and check your plugs.

 

...Welcome to Ford Truck Enthusiasts!

…..See you on the boards.

 

Mine just went on start up. No coolent in the oil. No warning. Just a loud metal cranking sound at the start and then a LOUD clanking once it started. I had it out the day before no trouble ran about got it washed. Now it looks great! The new motor is in next week! I changed the oil every 3000-5000 miles. I did have rough starts in the past. Some puffs of white smoke on start up! It must have been getting into the cylinders. Good luck..