Ford Ranger Forum - Forums for Ford Ranger enthusiasts!

Go Back   Ford Ranger Forum - Forums for Ford Ranger enthusiasts! > > >
Forgot Password? Join Us!

Welcome to Ford Ranger Forum

Reply
 
Thread Tools Search this Thread

  #1  
Old 03-21-2011, 11:03 AM
CaptainDunce CaptainDunce is offline
Learning to use the forums
 
Join Date: Mar 2011
Posts: 6
Default Signs Of A Blown Head Gasket....

Hi all, I've been having this issue for a while now, and haven't been able to address the problem - myself - or through the advice of "real" mechanics.

I drive a 99 Ranger, 6cyl, 3.0. It's my primary vehicle and I've owned it since 2007. It has 160k on it.

About a year ago I noticed some abnormal engine shake. A few months later my truck started overheating periodically and I could smell (and see) a loss in coolant. I immediately took it in and had the radiator flushed. It ran fine for awhile but eventually the same problems returned. So the next time I went back to the mechanic I had gotten an error code saying the truck was not firing on CYLINDER 6, so I took it in and asked them what they thought.

The consensus was that I simply needed a new cap and spark plug, because there was no coolant in the oil, and no white smoke, and the coolant wasn't "bubbling" out of the radiator. So according to them I didn't have a blown head gasket. So I ended up replacing the factory radiator cap with a new pressure relief one - which is awesome. I also got a new spark plug for cyl 6. This fixed the problem for about two weeks.

I started seeing the same issues again, but this time, having no money, I just settled for keeping a jug of water and coolant in my truck in case my radiator decided to act up.

Eventually winter came and I had no problems. I assume because of the cold. The engine still shakes on a cold start-up but goes away after 5 minutes. I am STILL burning up coolant though, and I can smell it through the vents. I still get the misfire error code too. I top off the fluid in the radiator every five days and the truck doesn't overheat. This is my current solution.

I would like to get this fixed. Soon. Especially before it starts getting hot.

I still think I have a head gasket issue, but I'm also thinking I may need a new thermostat because I still don't see any white frothy mixture in the oil, or white smoke. I'm basically seeing HALF of the known symptoms of a blown head gasket. So now I am at a loss. I AM going to fix this problem myself, because I have been to every mechanic in the area and they all seem to just blow smoke up my ***.

Advice is wanted!!!
Reply With Quote
  #2  
Old 03-21-2011, 11:50 AM
CaptainDunce CaptainDunce is offline
Learning to use the forums
 
Join Date: Mar 2011
Posts: 6
Default Re: Signs Of A Blown Head Gasket....

Oh and also I think my oil is mixing with my coolant...

...the new coolant in the reservoir is now a reddish brown color.
Reply With Quote
  #3  
Old 03-21-2011, 12:06 PM
Fordzilla80 Fordzilla80 is offline
Welcome to FRF!
 
Join Date: Oct 2010
Posts: 8,954
Default Re: Signs Of A Blown Head Gasket....

Have you checked your trans fluid?
Reply With Quote
  #4  
Old 03-21-2011, 01:58 PM
CaptainDunce CaptainDunce is offline
Learning to use the forums
 
Join Date: Mar 2011
Posts: 6
Default Re: Signs Of A Blown Head Gasket....

Yes. It's full and clean.

I've read that a bad oil cooler can mix the coolant and oil, and can also make the radiator overheat. This doesn't account for the engine rattle, or the misfire, but it may be one of multiple solutions.
Reply With Quote
  #5  
Old 03-21-2011, 03:04 PM
terryduanemiller terryduanemiller is offline
www.shanewootenband.com
 
Join Date: Oct 2010
Posts: 1,896
Default Re: Signs Of A Blown Head Gasket....

is there a milky goo in the coolant? it could be an intake gasket? are you sure the heater core isnt leaking?
__________________
MY BUILD THREAD
1999 MAZDA 2500SE, 2.5L 4-clanger, 5 speed, Green n slow. Rangers as daily drivers since 1988.
ASE Certified Mechanic, Builder of Show Destroying Protouring and Classic cars..
Reply With Quote
  #6  
Old 03-21-2011, 05:30 PM
DHEM DHEM is offline
Just zip-tie it
 
Join Date: Dec 2009
Posts: 1,004
Default Re: Signs Of A Blown Head Gasket....

Well usually you'll always see smoke coming out the tail pipe when a head gasket goes, but maybe the CATS are catching the smoke, thats what I can think of atleast. BUT the also said no bubbles in the coolant either.....


It sorta sounds like maybe the thermostat isn't opening up causing the coolant to overheat, that sorta explains why its working in the cold.

Look for any leaks, watch for bubbles in the coolant overflow tank.
Also, if you can pull the #6 spark plug and inspect it, maybe post a picture of it, it might have a story to tell
__________________
SOLD:'05 2wd Ranger xl with the 3.0
MODS-Alpine head unit, throttle cable mod, Black Rock wheels, FX4 lvl II axle swap, pooleo's camo painted bezel and mustang dome, painted/aftermarket headlights/tails fold-a-cover and over 100 hp in stickers

'86 AMC Eagle and '01 Grand Prix GTP
Reply With Quote
  #7  
Old 03-22-2011, 07:35 AM
wangbungal wangbungal is offline
Ford Ranger 1997 3.0 V6
 
Join Date: Jun 2010
Posts: 239
Default Re: Signs Of A Blown Head Gasket....

get a multimeter and check continuity on your fuel injectors,i solve my shaking and shudder by replacing a fuel injector that has a bad electrical coil,and problems gone
__________________
1997 Ford Ranger 3.0 V6 2WD

Nothing special lol,
Reply With Quote
  #8  
Old 03-22-2011, 07:49 AM
Sighman Sighman is offline
Learning to use the forums
 
Join Date: Nov 2010
Posts: 7
Default Re: Signs Of A Blown Head Gasket....

Run a compression check and see if old number six is lower than the rest.
Reply With Quote
  #9  
Old 03-23-2011, 04:25 AM
CaptainDunce CaptainDunce is offline
Learning to use the forums
 
Join Date: Mar 2011
Posts: 6
Default Re: Signs Of A Blown Head Gasket....

I think I've figured it out...

My oil level is good and clean and my head gaskets are okay. It's my AT Fluid that is mixing with my coolant through a leak in the lower addition to the radiator. I haven't figured out if I've had coolant running in my transmission yet....if so I am selling the truck. I don't think so, I think I've just had ATF circulating through my radiator.
Reply With Quote
  #10  
Old 03-23-2011, 09:01 AM
Tommy2 Tommy2 is offline
Ford Pickup
 
Join Date: Feb 2011
Posts: 102
Default Re: Signs Of A Blown Head Gasket....

Yea, I'd grab a good used radiator, flush the coolant - and you might want to replace your transmission filter and drop the pan just in case. Wouldn't be a big deal to change the filter and get some fresh fluid in there.
Reply With Quote
  #11  
Old 09-26-2012, 11:53 AM
CaptainDunce CaptainDunce is offline
Learning to use the forums
 
Join Date: Mar 2011
Posts: 6
Default Re: Signs Of A Blown Head Gasket....

Hello all. Back again some years later.

I replaced the radiator with a new one and flushed the coolant system pretty well. Also replaced the plugs/wires. Had it serviced and the check engine light stayed off. Haven't driven the truck that much because I can walk to work. This was a few months back.

A week ago I was on the road and #6 cylinder misfired. I checked the plugs and they were fine. No obvious gunk or scoring. I checked the coil and even the injectors and saw no problems. So, I took it in to the shop and they had it for a week to diagnose the misfiring. Couldn't find any problems and didn't charge me. I brought it home and let it sit for a week.

Yesterday I started it up and it overheated after 2 miles. The coolant was gone even though I had just filled it a few days prior. The entire cooling system was covered in thick brown gunk. I checked the oil cap and saw a frothy white coating inside. I drained the oil and it looked like a chocolate milkshake.

SO, my assumption is a bad gasket, coolant mixing with oil and causing the misfire and overheating. I don't what else it could be.

Please hit me with feedback. Thanks!
Reply With Quote
  #12  
Old 09-26-2012, 02:46 PM
Echofall Echofall is offline
RAGGI-DIEASSM-ILITA
 
Join Date: Sep 2012
Posts: 210
Default Re: Signs Of A Blown Head Gasket....

You seem to have all the symptoms that my mustang had minus the coolant issue, my issue was the 5 and 6 pistons were fractured. Is it possible that the cylinder wall is fractured?
__________________
2003 Ranger FX4
w/ 4.0L, auto, torsion bars, 8.8" 4.10 LS

E3 plugs - JVC 6" touchscreen headunit - Herculined rockers - LineX bed - Bushwacker bed caps
Reply With Quote
  #13  
Old 09-26-2012, 02:57 PM
djfllmn djfllmn is offline
ford dealer parts guy
 
Join Date: Apr 2011
Posts: 20,938
Send a message via AIM to djfllmn
Default Re: Signs Of A Blown Head Gasket....

^yea thats possible...along with a cracked head
__________________
2021 F150 5.0 Screw

Past:18 F150 2.7, 16 F150 5.0, 14 F150 5.0, 07 F150 5.4, 03 Ranger 4.0

Master Certified Ford Parts / Warranty Admin
Reply With Quote
  #14  
Old 09-27-2012, 06:46 AM
sobrien109 sobrien109 is offline
Like the Forums
 
Join Date: Jul 2012
Posts: 30
Default Re: Signs Of A Blown Head Gasket....

I am having a similar problem with my 2000. All of the same symptoms, cylinder 6 misfire, stutter in the engine at low rpms, the brownish red coolant, and smelling the coolant through the vents. So far I have replaced the thermostat, radiator cap, flushed the radiator, replaced the plugs and cables. It will run fine for a while if I clear the misfire code but it comes back after a week or two.

Background on mine though is that it overheated before all of these problems (Mom was borrowing it at the time). Since then its had these issues.
__________________
2000 3.0 V6 Flex Fuel 2WD Ranger
Extended Cab
3" Doetsch Spindles
2" Belltech Shackles
Hellwig Load Leveler Helper Springs
Cooper Discoverer A/T3 31x10.5x15
Reply With Quote
  #15  
Old 10-03-2012, 08:39 AM
Turboman412 Turboman412 is offline
Ford Motor Company
 
Join Date: Jul 2011
Posts: 140
Default

How come no one has told him to do a compression test? That will verify if the head gaskets are in good shape. Blown head baskets aren't abnormal for these vehicles.

Sent from my ADR6300 using Tapatalk 2
Reply With Quote
Reply

Thread Tools Search this Thread
Search this Thread:

Advanced Search


Similar Threads
Thread Thread Starter Forum Replies Last Post
Blown head gasket DangerRanger2000 General Ford Ranger Discussion 0 02-11-2011 11:03 AM
Rebuild advice/ blown head gasket cougar9150 4.0 SOHC / 4.0 OHV Tech 4 02-09-2011 08:30 AM
blown head gasket evan117 4.0 SOHC / 4.0 OHV Tech 2 12-06-2010 07:13 PM
2.3L blown head gasket Yellow 95 4-Cylinder Tech 4 05-13-2010 03:00 PM
Blown head gasket repair RangerChad Vehicle Snapshots 0 02-28-2010 08:07 PM