'02 ranger head gasket or cracked head?

LLReb · Apr 30, 2012

I have a 2002 ranger 4.0 automatic. About six months ago the bypass hose failed... Naturally causing the truck to overheat. After getting it towed home replaced radiator, water pump, thermostat +housing and new hoses. It has had a misfire in cyl #4... Went on to replacing all plugs and wires and a new coil pack. Did nothing. As a last resort dumped some head gasket repair (stop leak). That seemed to temporarily solve the problem. Truck recently starting to have same problems. Fluid doesnt seem to be flowing throughout system. I frequently have to pull over and crack the radiator cap. It releases pressure and can hear fluid surge. Pulled the plug today and it definately has had coolant on it. Had a shop tell me it's probably a cracked head though that is their assumption. Wondering how likely a cracked head is? Also truck has 260k miles. Should I not even bother and drop a new engine in it?

adsm08 · Apr 30, 2012

Early SOHC engines were known for head gasket problems. That's what happens when you put a .030 compressed thickness gasket that looks like Swiss cheese in an engine.

If it was a pushrod 4.0 I'd tell you to take the head off, get it checked and put a new gasket in.

BUT this isn't a pushrod and any repair that is deeper than the intake gaskets and valve covers pretty much requires removing the engine from the vehicle, so just find a newer on in the yard and swap it. Then you can rebuild your current one if the core isn't too much.

straycat · May 1, 2012

adsm08 said:
Early SOHC engines were known for head gasket problems. That's what happens when you put a .030 compressed thickness gasket that looks like Swiss cheese in an engine.

If it was a pushrod 4.0 I'd tell you to take the head off, get it checked and put a new gasket in.

BUT this isn't a pushrod and any repair that is deeper than the intake gaskets and valve covers pretty much requires removing the engine from the vehicle, so just find a newer on in the yard and swap it. Then you can rebuild your current one if the core isn't too much.

^^^what he said...much better option, Bro. :icon_thumby:

'02 ranger head gasket or cracked head?

LLReb

10+ Year Member

adsm08

Senior Master Grease Monkey

straycat

15+ Year Member

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