4.0 head gasket
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Joined: Oct 2005
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4.0 head gasket
My grandson't 1994 4.0 with 95,000 miles seems to leaking fluid from the head gasket, I see no signs of an internal leak, but can see fluid down the side of the engine, He has to add fluid weekly, even though he drives less than 100 miles a week. Any chance tightening the head bolts may resolve this? Can someone give me the torque specs? Not sure I could replace the head gasket and not sure the truck is worth having it done. thanks for any input.
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Joined: Nov 2006
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If it not that big of a leak I would live with it. Its getting warm and he can just run straight water in it. Torquing the headgasket will not do anything, as you would be loosing tons of compression if a head bolt where loose. Head gaskets rarely leak externally.
If its coming from the middle of the block on either the back side or front its probably the lower intake gaskets. Not a horrible job to do and about 70$ in parts. Should be about 250$ at a shop. Its a really common problem with the 4.0, there is a great diy article on this site.
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Joined: Jan 2004
Posts: 13,851
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From: SW Va
If your not certain where the leak is, or are having problems pinpointing it, you might consider using a dye kit in the coolant. It'll carry the dye to the leak & the kits UV light makes the dye glow a bright yellow/green. If you have an internal leak, it'll also show on the spark plugs & if enough is getting into the oil, it might show there, or on the dipstick.
If you come to suspect the lower intake manafold gasket, the fastners are known to loosen up & cause a leak, so you might try retorquing them to spec & see if things get better, or stop.
If the lower intake manafold gasket needs to be replaced, here is a nice "how too" with photos, by Rockledge, from our Tech Info thread, that I think carsrus was thinking of.
https://www.ford-trucks.com/forums/2...ke-gasket.html
More thoughts for consideration. Let us know what you find & how it goes.
If you come to suspect the lower intake manafold gasket, the fastners are known to loosen up & cause a leak, so you might try retorquing them to spec & see if things get better, or stop.
If the lower intake manafold gasket needs to be replaced, here is a nice "how too" with photos, by Rockledge, from our Tech Info thread, that I think carsrus was thinking of.
https://www.ford-trucks.com/forums/2...ke-gasket.html
More thoughts for consideration. Let us know what you find & how it goes.
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Joined: Jan 2004
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From: SW Va
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Posting Guru
Joined: Feb 2010
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From: CASA GRANDE AZ
IT'S ME AGAIN , THE ONE WITH THE STUPIDEST IDEAS ! AND HERE IS ANOTHER STUPID ONE , pressurize the radiator and you will see where the the leak is !
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Elder User
Joined: Jul 2010
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From: Paradise CA
I would try not using that stop leak stuff it just craps up ur coolant system, and sence its not a SOHC it will be really easy just to take off the head, but have ur grandson watch its good to know this stuff 
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