91 ranger coolant problem suspect block....
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91 ranger coolant problem suspect block....
my 91 ranger (3.0 v6 5spd 2wd) is having an issue with coolant, leaking it out quite rapidly. went around, checked all the hoses, thermostat replaced with new gasket and rtv sealer, new seals around the water pump and more rtv there too, one broken bolt at the top of the pump ( the idiot i bought the truck from didnt know squat it seems......), checked it and it is not leaking there or anywhere around the pump, checked it over, freeze plugs looked good and all. however it is still leaking coolant, a friend of mine thinks it is either a crack in the block or a cracked water jacket. Is this likely and is there any other items i should check?
thanks in advance for all help.
thanks in advance for all help.
Laughing Gas
Joined: Apr 2004
Posts: 819
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From: Northern Maine
Is it dripping on the ground or is it mysteriously loosing coolant? If there is no evidence of an external leak, you may have head gasket problems. It could be going into the oil pan or being burned in a cylinder. (Is there sweet smelling steam coming out of the exhaust?) Also, are you checking it for leaks while it is under pressure? Sometimes it just wont leak when it is not under pressure. You can get a tester (pump) that replaces the radiator cap and pressurizes the system to the same level that it normally runs at(or maybe a little higher). That way you can check a cold engine for leaks.
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it drips on the ground under the truck where it lands varies on what hill i am parked on but when level(ish) it tends to drip down on the front crossarms for the front suspention. Being my power steering gearbox is shot i have to add fluid to it every time i leave the truck sitting for long so i end up checking my fluids about 6 times a day (this is one of those filler up with oil and check the gas trucks), the oil has never sludged so i dont belive it is getting in there. never noticed a sweet smell to the exhaust, ( but then again the truck runs really rich so i might have just not noticed). the system will leak whether under pressure or not.
Laughing Gas
Joined: Apr 2004
Posts: 819
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From: Northern Maine
If your truck is leaking that bad, you will find it eventually. Just crawl under it with a good light and look around. Check the radiator real good. I had an old car one time that had a minor antifreeze leak when it was real cold outside, like 25 below zero or colder. I never did find it but I didn't much care because it was a very small leak.
Laughing Gas
Joined: Apr 2004
Posts: 819
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From: Northern Maine
Its all according to how many miles it has on it, if its rusted or not and, what other major repairs have already been done (clutch, etc) and of course, how much you like it. You could price a short block or go to a junk yard and then compare that cost with the value of your truck. The 3.0 is a very common engine. Look real close for the leak, it still could be something simple. Antifreeze can run along frames and suspensions and the like for quite a long ways before it finally makes it to the ground, especially if it doesnt encounter anything hot. good luck
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got under and looked it over, it is running down the side of the block and dripping off around the edge of the oil pan, could not see where it was leaking from though, the ac clutch was in the way. it seems to be running down the passenger side of the block, although for some odd reason i get a VERY small ammount running down and dripping off the drivers side too but not nearly as much as the passenger, regardless of what type of hill i am on.
as far as the other repairs go I might just end up getting a new truck, i need to get around to replaceing the clutch and the trans needs a rebuld or replace, all the syncros went a while ago.
will do a presure test on it and see where i get. thanks.
as far as the other repairs go I might just end up getting a new truck, i need to get around to replaceing the clutch and the trans needs a rebuld or replace, all the syncros went a while ago.
will do a presure test on it and see where i get. thanks.
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From: Dallas, Tx
Call me obvious man but...if it is coming down the passenger side check the heater hoses real carefully. A leak will start in a hard to see place and migrate to where you eventually see it. The good thing is this does not sound like an internal problem. Keep us posted.