head gaskets?!
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head gaskets?!
Ok so i definately need some help and guidence from the forums for this one.
I've got a '93 ranger with the 3.0 and when i got home today i decided i would check the clutch fluid just to make sure it's all in order cause it seems to have been shifting rougher than usual. well my clutch checked out, thats not my problem. I noticed that the vent line coming off the radiater overflow was hissing a bit and what looked like dirty water was coming out, so i decided to crack open the lid just to have a peak and let it vent a bit better. well when i opened it up i found that i've got quite a bit of oil in the coolant. Now i'm figuring it's a blown head gasket but i don't know what my best option of fixing it is. the truck seems to run like it did before. no smoke, doesn't seem to be overheating, just has oil in the coolant. what should i do guys?
thanks alot JB
I've got a '93 ranger with the 3.0 and when i got home today i decided i would check the clutch fluid just to make sure it's all in order cause it seems to have been shifting rougher than usual. well my clutch checked out, thats not my problem. I noticed that the vent line coming off the radiater overflow was hissing a bit and what looked like dirty water was coming out, so i decided to crack open the lid just to have a peak and let it vent a bit better. well when i opened it up i found that i've got quite a bit of oil in the coolant. Now i'm figuring it's a blown head gasket but i don't know what my best option of fixing it is. the truck seems to run like it did before. no smoke, doesn't seem to be overheating, just has oil in the coolant. what should i do guys?
thanks alot JB
Lead Driver
Joined: May 2004
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From: Abilene Kansas
well your diagnosis should be correct. i know if i had to replace one i would do both. so that will eliminate which side it is. im sure once the head comes off youll be able to tell. id also make sure to flush my radiator multiple times, change the oil and in 500 change it again and then have some of the used oil tested
Matt
Matt
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ok so i've definately got a blown gasket. now my next question is can this job be done easily with the motor in the truck or would it just be better to pull the motor? i plan on doing this myself as i have no money and a gasket is cheaper than a gasket + labour. also while i have the motor apart are there any perfomance mods that can be done cheap?
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Don't pull the engine.. there's plenty of clearance on the 3.0.
Also keep in mind you'll need a good torque wrench when reinstalling.. if it's not torqued precisely the new head gaskets will leak and/or be damaged as a result.
BUT.. are you sure it's oil? If you have an automatic transmission it's possible that trans fluid is getting into your coolant in the radiator... just something to think about.
Also keep in mind you'll need a good torque wrench when reinstalling.. if it's not torqued precisely the new head gaskets will leak and/or be damaged as a result.
BUT.. are you sure it's oil? If you have an automatic transmission it's possible that trans fluid is getting into your coolant in the radiator... just something to think about.
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My bad
ok so update on the sitchy-ation so far is that i've pulled the upper intake off, pulled the injectors, drained the coolant and a few other things. However! i've discovered that it is DEFINATELY NOT my head gaskets because it's oil in coolant, not coolant in oil. my old man and his buddy Don Thompson Jr. shed light on this for me. the reason that the coolant goes into the oil is because of the pressure in the system so therefore you could never have oil in the coolant. not to mention that the oil never really rises past the oil rings anyways. so i'd like to thank everybody who posted. oh and the stuff that i thought was oil i know think might be some kind of coolant system stop leak or something, i'll be investigating that tomorow. thanks all
JB
JB
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The best way to check if you suspect a head gasket is to use a block tester. It is a vial of fluid in a special bottle that fits into the top of your radiator with the cap off. The high pressure exhaust gas goes into the cooling system and when it goes to the surface it reacts with the fluid and makes it change color.
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From: Buckeye Country
Steam out the tailpipe is another way to tell if you have a coolant leak in a head gasket. A leak elsewhere would also produce gray looking oil - more likely due to a cracked block than a blown gasket.
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Post Fiend
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From: Eastern WA
Originally Posted by 93rngjb
.........the reason that the coolant goes into the oil is because of the pressure in the system so therefore you could never have oil in the coolant.
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It IS possible for oil to push into the antifreeze due to a head gasket leak. Could be pushing oil from a pressurized oil port into a coolant port before the vehicle is run long enough for the coolant to pressurize.. real common on dodge 4 cyls...
I don't know how high a probability that is on the 3.0, and I've not seen it happen, but theoretically it's possible.
I don't know how high a probability that is on the 3.0, and I've not seen it happen, but theoretically it's possible.
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well basically all i'm going to do is flush the coolant once or twice and keep an eye on it. i'm not going to go through all that trouble if it's not the problem, also if the motor blows up i'll park it until i'm finished building a 302 for it.
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From: Eastern WA
Originally Posted by 93rngjb
yes thats true, but why would the oil be up anywhere past the oil rings?
Oil above/past the rings = worn rings/cyl bore/pistons or very worn valve guide seals/stems/etv. A remote chance would also be the PCV system.
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