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-   -   Billowing Smoke from Engine Block (http://www.fordrangerforum.com/2-9-liter-tech/23653-billowing-smoke-engine-block.html)

RangerDangerPDX 01-03-2011 03:52 PM
Billowing Smoke from Engine Block
 
Guys,

I have a 1989 Ranger with a 2.9L automatic engine. Over the summer I had overheating issues and I replaced a faulty radiator and also replaced the hoses and thermostat. Yesterday, about 75 miles into my drive back to school I noticed it started to overheat a little bit, as well as the truck started to shake and white smoke started coming from my engine compartment. I made it back to school and turned off my truck. This morning I started it and it IMMEDIATELY started shaking and white smoke was coming from the oil filler cap, or at least that's what it looked like.

Last week I had the oil changed and the coolant system flushed. I'm wondering what you think the problem could be?

PLEASE HELP!

Alex

Fordzilla80 01-03-2011 04:09 PM
Re: Billowing Smoke from Engine Block
 
Kind of sounds like a head gasket to me. You might have had more of a problem than just the radiator/t-stat. If it's not a head gasket, then whoever flushed your cooling system epically screwed up.

STL 01-03-2011 04:12 PM
Re: Billowing Smoke from Engine Block
 
Kinda sounds like a head gasket.

When you had the over heating issue. How long before you would turn the truck off?

RangerDangerPDX 01-03-2011 04:19 PM
Re: Billowing Smoke from Engine Block
 
That's what I was afraid of. Does it make a difference if there's no white smoke coming from the exhaust? It's only coming from the oil filler cap.

Fordzilla80 01-03-2011 04:43 PM
Re: Billowing Smoke from Engine Block
 
It'll happen either way, depending upon where exactly the head gasket blew.

Psychopete 01-04-2011 04:05 PM
Re: Billowing Smoke from Engine Block
 
Compression test.

Psychopete 01-04-2011 06:53 PM
Re: Billowing Smoke from Engine Block
 
I can't think of anything really rational that would cause a bunch of smoke out of the oil fill cap besides a really excessive amount of blow by. Compression test will give you some info on your engine's health. If 0 PSI on a particular cylinder, I would be wondering if a hole has burned in the piston.

RangerDangerPDX 01-04-2011 11:16 PM
Re: Billowing Smoke from Engine Block
 
How do I do a compression test? Can somebody please post a basic step-by-step? Thanks!!!

Psychopete 01-05-2011 08:28 AM
Re: Billowing Smoke from Engine Block
 
http://www.aa1car.com/library/compression.htm

This pretty much explains it. You'll have to buy one, but tough to diagnose things with out the right tools.

Quote:
To check compression manually with a gauge, all the spark plugs must be removed. The ignition coil must then disabled or the high tension lead grounded. If the engine has a distributorless ignition, the ignition coils must be disabled to prevent them from firing. The throttle must also be held open.

The engine is then cranked for a few seconds using a remote starter switch or a helper while a compression gauge is held in a spark plug hole.

The maximum compression reading is noted, then the process is repeated for each of the remaining cylinders.

The individual cylinder readings are then compared to see if the results are within specifications (always refer to a manual for the exact compression figures for your engine because they do vary from
the ballpark figures quoted earlier).
Don't really need a helper in the start step, just crank the engine from inside of the cab for a few seconds.. I would check condition of plugs before buying compression tester also, doesn't hurt to check spark plug wire resistence either.


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