1998 ford ranger 2.5L 5 speed 2wd possible blown head gasket

[KesselringD]

I just recently got a 98 ranger from a guy that claims it was sitting for over six months. I changed oil and it was extremely black and clumpy after using a motor flush. It has 207,000 some miles and nothing major seems to be wrong. Heater doesn't work, changed coolant and thermostat, haven't touched heater core or sensor underneath intake manifold and the temp gauge doesn't work, I just took it on a trip from VA to KY and it did great but I noticed a milky color on oil cap and dipstick but it shows no other signs of a blown gasket could this just be extra oil deposits from it sitting so long?

[Offy]

I don't know what you see for weather there but many vehicles will build milky goo under oil cap espcially if used on short runs during cold weather (freezing temps). just make sure your oil isn't turning to bad and your coolant level isn't dropping.

[stateranger]

Milky oil means theres some water in the oil. How did the oil on the dipstick look. The previous owner said it sat for over six months it probably had some condensation built up in the motor.

The sending unit for the temp guage is located on thermostat housing,the temp sending unit for the ecu is right next to it.

[KesselringD]

The dipstick occasionally gets the same residue but not every time I drive it, the the sensors have been changed except for the one that leads to the air intake over the engine, off of one of the lines for the heater core there is a little tee with a hose tht branches off toward the engine and hooks up under the intake, maybe to use coolant as a medium for whatever that sensor is?

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If it is just condensation, then adding something like sea foam to oil would clear it up?

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Also I was mistaken its a 2.3L not 2.5

[stateranger]

Run a little seafoam in the oil then change it.
The line that tee's off the heater hose runs to into the upper intake I think it just warms the upper intake. It does'nt run near any sensors.
You were correct about it being a 2.5. The 2.3(last year 97) and 2.5(98 to 01) look the same except the 2.5 has a longer stroke.

[KesselringD]

If the milky color still persists after the sea foam would I need to get it looked at or could I just use some blue devil head gasket repair?

[stateranger]

change the oil after about 100 miles. Drive it for afew day and see if the milky color returns.
Have it checked out or rent a compression tester and do it yourself.

[KesselringD]

Ok, so don't trust sealer even if a trusted mechanic said to use it for cost effective fix?

[stateranger]

I was thinking of oil aditives, sorry about that. I had a new yorker that had a leaky head gasket and used aluma seal. It lasted about two years before I had to replace the head gasket.

[KesselringD]

Well that would get me through until I could save up
Enough money I guess

[stateranger]

Originally Posted by KesselringD

Well that would get me through until I could save up
Enough money I guess

I think you just have some condensation that has built up. You drove it pretty long way with no problems.

[thatranger]

The 2.5 has two thermostats btw. So you most likely didn't change the 2nd one.

[stateranger]

Originally Posted by thatranger

The 2.5 has two thermostats btw. So you most likely didn't change the 2nd one.

No they dont.

[thatranger]

Originally Posted by stateranger

No they dont.

You sure? I thought they did.

[stateranger]

Originally Posted by thatranger

You sure? I thought they did.

they have the two sending units in the t-stat housing but just one t-stat.