2003 ford rannger 4.0 sohc coolant

[garywbarton]

hello folks i have a 2003 ford ranger 4.0 sohc engine that looses coolant i notice some steam at exhaust sometimes but not all the time mostly when you decelerate from off highway and pull out again ...i figure if its a cracked head or blown gasket it would be there all the time... no coolant in the oil any help is appreciated ...thank you

 

[don4331]

Simplest way to confirm blown gasket - with engine cold, open radiator, start engine and watch for bubbles in radiator fluid. I think it works for cracked head too.

 

[Uncle Gump]

Air bubbles...

Google cooling system glove test... if there is a gasket or head issue... it will blow the glove up.

A blown head gasket situation would likely say the engine was overheated at some point. Was it?

The plastic thermostat housing is known to crack and create a slow leak. How much coolant are you going through?

I'm also moving your post to the 4.0L forum...