99 ranger losing coolant and plug fouling

Ruckus226 · #1 07-02-2013, 12:19 AM

Hey everybody I'm new here but have been reading through your forum thanks to google for the last few weeks. Out of all of the forums I was most impressed with this one So I decided to join.

Now that that is out of the way I have a few questions. I bought a wrecked 99 ranger xlt 4x4 with the 4.0 ohv for $600 ran and drove good just needed an alternator, front clip and rear axle hangers and shackles.

Now I'm done with all that I have another problem. The truck loses antifreeze but does not overheat and I can't find any signs of where its leaking, no puddles nothing wet under the hood etc. the guy I bought it from I work with talk to everyday. He said that he has always had to put antifreeze in it about once a year. Also said the #3 spark plug fouls out after 3-4 months and it needs replaced. He dropped a lot of money into it and had a shop look at it who said the spark plug porcelain would crack and moisture would cause it. He replaced all the spark plugs, coil pack and wires last time but did not top off the antifreeze. It lasted 6 months. Now since I have gotten it I of course changed the fluids and topped them off. Well today going to leave for work with steady gas pedal pressure it seemed to lose power not reacting to the gas pedal. If I floor it it hesitates and then jumps right up. Didn't do it again today. He says it does that about two weeks before it starts misfiring and to just change the plug like he has for 3 years. That's not suitable for me obviously something else is wrong.

Now my question is what should I do?

I have a code in it for o2 sensors I plan on changing them out. Should I replace the plugs and wires with motorcraft and see what happens? Also would o2 sensors be able to just foul out one plug because of the fuel trim adjustment? I have read alot about cracked heads me blown gaskets. I'm hoping this isn't the deal but could be. I'm borrowing a pressure tester tomorrow to test all 6 cylinders to see what they come up as. Other than that my plans were to replace the o2 sensors, throttle position sensor, spark plugs and the fuel filter. Maybe I'm just throwing money at it I'm now sure.

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I should add that there's no antifreeze in the oil, no bubbles coming from the radiator or overflow when it's running and the tailpipe is dry, was thinking signs of blown head gasket when I checked

Maritime Storm · #2 07-02-2013, 03:05 AM

Have a shop perform a pressure test on your cooling system & have them check for HC in the cooling system.

Ruckus226 · #3 07-02-2013, 03:59 AM

Not to sound stupid but what is HC?

Also I pulled the plug #3 he was telling me he replaced every 3 months, it didn't have a lot of build up but was whiteish in color. If I am correct it's running lean? I guess it could be a number of things causing my issues.
Will post back with compression tests when I get them done..that is if I can get the passenger side spark plugs out lol

dfpgnm · #4 07-02-2013, 04:19 AM

HC = hydrocarbons, aka exhaust gases.

Ruckus226 · #5 07-02-2013, 05:00 AM

Ah gotcha now...and I think I'm mistaken it could be cylinder 6...whichever it is its drivers side closest to the firewall... For some reason it had some loss of power for a couple seconds the last two days on initial trip. I let it run for about 5-10 minutes before leaving work this morning and no problems.. Is it possible an o2 sensor issue could cause it to bog down? Almost like flooding the engine?

dads truck · #6 07-02-2013, 05:52 AM

4.0 rangers are notorious for cracking heads. With the symptoms you describe, it is likely a cracked head or head gasket. Get the compression test done and report back your numbers.

Ruckus226 · #7 07-02-2013, 01:12 PM

Yeah that's what I am afraid of. The guy said he's been driving it like this for the 3 years he had it just changing out the one spark plug every couple of months. Not sure whether I should do the same until I get the money for the head job (if that's the problem) or park it or sell it. Really sucks I bought this truck 2 weeks ago

svtwin73 · #8 07-02-2013, 02:29 PM

Heads aren't really that expensive:
http://www.kingcylinderheads.com/For...ad-K264CG.html

Ruckus226 · #9 07-02-2013, 02:40 PM

$449 each....ouch...$1000 for a $600 truck lol...ill wait for the compression test when I can get to it. That's a lot of the problem too I have nowhere to do a job like that

svtwin73 · #10 07-02-2013, 05:40 PM

No, $295 a piece, 449 witha head gasket kit

Mud Duck · #11 07-02-2013, 05:41 PM

Ruckus, I had similar issues with mt truck about 2 years ago. I was working two jobs at the time and was fortunate to have someone else swap out the heads; had Ridge in Maumee rework both heads... I seem to remember the hit being about $550 if memory serves me ... might be worth a try

Ruckus226 · #12 07-02-2013, 07:30 PM

I remember seeing some Odessa cylinder heads on fleabay for $515 brand new with the gasket kit and new head bolts. They say they're thicker better made than original and have good feedback remember seeing someone here post about them. That's not a bad price. I'm not entirely positive that's the issue at hand yet..

I'm more worried he's been just replacing spark plugs for 3 years every few months and driving it that way...but on the plus side I drive half a mile to work each day and my wife drives 3 miles...when I go hunting it is only 12 miles away...

Would it hurt to continue limping it around for a few more months? It idles fine runs fine If I let it warm up doesn't bog down, but I plan on cleaning the maf sensor replacing o2 sensors, tps, motorcraft plugs and fuel filter.

I know the correct answer is to get it fixed right away but I also have a Pontiac Aztek I need suspension work on that's the primary vehicle my wife drives and my daughter rides in so that's more important in my opinion. What kind of damage will it do to keep driving it the amount I do?