cracked head?
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Junior User
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cracked head?
Working on finding my oil leak in my 88 ranger (2.9 v6 auto 4x4) It seems to leak from the top, rear driver side. I started with the valve cover gasket but im afraid thats not it. It leaks from near the rear driver side corner of the cover and leaks down the the manifold and burns off or when parked, runs down the exhaust pipe and drips off. My only diagnosis' can be, cracked head or the head isn't tightened down enough. But then again if it wasn't torqued down I would think I would be losing compression. Any thoughts.
Cargo Master
Joined: May 2004
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Is this a lot of oil, like quarts per week? Or is more like a normal ooze? but more than a normal ooze?
I would consider it might be where the intake manifold meets the short block, then the oil would flow down the joint of the head and block to drip as you described. Has the intake manifold been take off?
I would consider it might be where the intake manifold meets the short block, then the oil would flow down the joint of the head and block to drip as you described. Has the intake manifold been take off?
Fleet Owner
Joined: Aug 2001
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From: Drummonds, TN USA
It has to be the gasket if it's that high up on the head.
But it may not be the only leak.
Valve stem seals, and rings can also leak/burn a lot. So can a bad PCV Valve.
A PCV likely won't burn much except under idle or HWY conditions. Is there any tailpipe smoking?
But it may not be the only leak.
Valve stem seals, and rings can also leak/burn a lot. So can a bad PCV Valve.
A PCV likely won't burn much except under idle or HWY conditions. Is there any tailpipe smoking?
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Junior User
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I re-did the cover gasket, and it leaks less than before and doesnt smell anywhere near as bad as it did before. I still dont know where the other small leak could be. I only use this truck till september then i either junk it or pawn it off to my younger brother so if i take option B I wouldnt mind finding it so he can tinker with it
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Junior User
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another issue
My truck seems to want to stall while I first start it up. It revs to 1300 then drops to about 9000 RPMs then after a couple minutes starts dying. Normally after I rev it a few times its ok but today while at a couple stop lights it just shuts down. I went out and replaced the fuel filter today and started it up. Sounded ok until after five minutes then began to cut out again. I want to say its a fuel issue but then again im no mechanic so anyone have any ideas?
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Cargo Master
Joined: May 2004
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How's the temperature gauge acting? any bubbles in the coolant shortly after the truck warms up? Could be a blown head gasket, which would fit in with the oil leaking issue.
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Fleet Owner
Joined: Aug 2001
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From: Drummonds, TN USA
What color is the oil in the pan?
If you pull up the dipstick and it is covered with what looks like a chocolate shake you definately have a bad gasket (or at least coolant getting into the oil from somewhere)
If you pull up the dipstick and it is covered with what looks like a chocolate shake you definately have a bad gasket (or at least coolant getting into the oil from somewhere)
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Temp guage stays normal temp at all times. Oil on the dipstick is normal color. Doesn't have coolant in it or smell like it. Im wondering if its a bad vacuum line somewhere. Then again no lights come on.
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Junior User
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Temps stay low? Who knows I bought the thing for a cheap vehicle to get to work in but it will be the last old ranger I buy.