Head gasket replacement issues

StewartKS · #1 11-26-2012, 08:07 AM

Hey guys i'm new to this forum just joined yesterday as i'm doing a little project on my 1987 Ford Ranger with the 2.3L 4Cyl. After tearing it all down and putting everything back in its rightful spot TWICE now i'm still getting oil coming out of my intake manifold and throttle body. Any suggestions or ideas on what's going on? Mind you this engines only staying in for the time being as i'll be throwing a 302 V8 in somtime down the road. Thanks guys for the help

Doc32469 · #2 11-26-2012, 03:39 PM

Thats what mine is doing plus its blowing blue smokes out of tail pipe. Its the oil ring is bad. The oil is blow by oil ring

Using DROID BIONIC. 1998 Ford Ranger 2.5

StewartKS · #3 11-26-2012, 03:56 PM

Ill have to take a look at that and see. Ive been wrenchin on the thing for three days straight. Going on four right now. Thanks for the tip

Doc32469 · #4 11-26-2012, 11:24 PM

Another thing it also be valve stem seal. Theres compression test and another test just cant think the name for it

Using DROID BIONIC. 1998 Ford Ranger 2.5

Scott586 · #5 11-27-2012, 10:56 PM

A leakdown test can help to determine what the source of the leak is. I've never done it, but it's helpful to know what you are getting into before you start tearing it apart. It sounds like you are already past that point.

Basically you pressurize the cylinder in question (or one at a time) and measure the amount of pressure the cylinder is able to hold. This tells you if there is a problem and to what extent the leak is. Also you can listen for the source of the leak. I.E. if you hear air leaking into the exhaust, then it's an exhaust valve. If you hear it from the dipstick tube then it's rings. If you hear it from the intake, then it's the intake valve.

Most parts stores sell these testers, and if you're lucky maybe they even have one in their tool loan program. You will need a decent air compressor also. If you're not capable of doing this yourself, it shouldn't be too expensive to have the test performed at a shop, assuming your vehicle is still drive-able. You'll have to Google to get more specific test instructions, but it doesn't appear to be too difficult.

A comment to your description. Is it possible you have the camshaft timing out of whack and you are pushing compression through the inappropriately timed intake valves? Does the engine run? What was the original reason for tearing it down? What work have you performed during teardown? More details would help.

StewartKS · #6 11-28-2012, 03:18 PM

Well the motor ran before I tore it down to replace the head gasket as i had antifreeze in the oil, after teardown, and cleaning of all surfaces we threw the head gasket on along with the exhaust manifold gasket, and both intake manifold gaskets. when we got it all together we ran through everything to make sure it was all connected in the right spots, and that everything was torqued down to the specific patterns and pressures.

I just had a mechanic of 35 years take a look at it yesterday and his thoughts are that I have one of three things:

1) A busted piston
2) A cracked head or
3) A cracked block

I also have somebody not too far from my house who has 2 87 rangers with a 2.9 liter motor but bad trannys and they were automatics with 4x4 and mine was only 2wd. Would you by chance know if my 5speed from the 2.3 will bolt up to that 2.9?

Scott586 · #7 11-28-2012, 04:21 PM

Someone else will have to answer your tranny question.

Let me clarify a couple things:

Did you have the head checked and resurfaced before reinstalling?
Are you confident you cleaned the block surface well?
Are you confident you torqued the head bolts properly?
Did you get new head bolts or reuse the original ones?
Did you use a new head gasket EACH TIME you re-installed the head?

Don't get me wrong, I'm not doubting your abilities, I simply trying to figure out what the problem might be. You might still have head gasket issues.

jarrod27 · #8 11-28-2012, 04:58 PM

The piston land crack, and the heads crack in between the valves and can pretty much only be fixed by thermal welding. Don't leave waters in the head bolt holes either since you cannot compress water it can crack the block.

StewartKS · #9 11-28-2012, 05:03 PM

I'm still new to this and I found another 2.3 motor that I'm gonna be picking up this weekend same year and everything but I definitely thank you guys for the feedback on this issue