4.0 Help for Intake/Head Gasket (PICS)

[~DesertEagle45~]

I am somewhat mechanically inclined but don't know about the technical side of some automotive fixes and thats why I'm here.

1998 Ford Ranger 4.0 XLT 4X4 186,000 miles.

I have a big leak going on and it appeared to be coming from in between the right (Driver's side) head and the lower intake. Being my first time really tearing into this engine this deep, do any of you have any suggestions or tips for me?

((((If anyone has any pdf files of Chilton's or anything else)))), they can e-mail them to me at blueeyed_gent03@yahoo.com

I would really appreciate any help, the pics below show how far I am...

This is where it's leaking from

http://img406.imageshack.us/img406/1149/img0003j.jpg

A little closer

http://img136.imageshack.us/img136/6974/img0004xo.jpg

http://img262.imageshack.us/img262/5118/img0879n.jpg

http://img262.imageshack.us/img262/4796/img0903y.jpg

[Redrocket]

looks to me like the lower intake is leaking. did it spit and sputter before and what do your plugs look like?

[98blownranger]

pull the lower intake, easy to do just takes time. soo how it looks and also look at your plugs to see if there is any coolant, could be the head gaskets also

[jsquier91]

I have a question for you since you have the same truck as me (98 ranger 4x4 4.0), anyway my check engine light has been on for quite sometime now and now its just irritating me so i got it scanned and it says 'system to lean' and so i got a friend to help me and he fixed an exhaust leak with the gaskets and while he was at it through some dual exhaust out the back for me. Check engine light is still on, and people have been telling me it is my intake manifold gasket rings or something? or possibly the 02 sensor? I am wondering what you would think it would be? and how expensive? thanks in advance

[Sandman]

I have a question for you since you have the same truck as me (98 ranger 4x4 4.0), anyway my check engine light has been on for quite sometime now and now its just irritating me so i got it scanned and it says 'system to lean' and so i got a friend to help me and he fixed an exhaust leak with the gaskets and while he was at it through some dual exhaust out the back for me. Check engine light is still on, and people have been telling me it is my intake manifold gasket rings or something? or possibly the 02 sensor? I am wondering what you would think it would be? and how expensive? thanks in advance

this is probably your upper plenum orings which is the plastic upper intake easy job to do and not to expensive more time consuming than anything

[~DesertEagle45~]

I have a question for you since you have the same truck as me (98 ranger 4x4 4.0), anyway my check engine light has been on for quite sometime now and now its just irritating me so i got it scanned and it says 'system to lean' and so i got a friend to help me and he fixed an exhaust leak with the gaskets and while he was at it through some dual exhaust out the back for me. Check engine light is still on, and people have been telling me it is my intake manifold gasket rings or something? or possibly the 02 sensor? I am wondering what you would think it would be? and how expensive? thanks in advance


I agree with SANDMAN, probably your upper intake(plenum) gaskets. Yours will be like mine since it's the same year, (3) seperate gaskets in one package that sell at your dealer for $20.58 Part # F57Z9E436AA

Hope that helps :D

[jsquier91]

thanks for the tips, i might just let it ride for a little while and ill get it in spring time most likely.

[fmenghini]

98 Ford Ranger, 110,000 miles , 4.0 V6 had the same error Bank 1 and bank 2 running too lean. Replaced the upper intake(plenum) gaskets. the gasket rings in the plastic upper intake. did not remove the fuel distribution manifold. took some time to disconnect things, not too bad. EGR tube bends forward inside the manifold so lifting the plastic maniflod and shifting it forward to get it disconnected.
got it all back together. Seems to have done the trick. CEL has been off for a few weeks now.

[Rg1Baja]

Im in Henderson Nv. I just sent you an email. I have access to ALLDATA.com. If you need any help shoot me an email. Ill get it faster then on here.