Hunting Truck

[tdd5024]

Hello All,

I am located in GA and purchased a 1997 4.0 last year with the hopes of using it as a hunting truck. Currently I venture into the woods with a 2012 TDI VW Jetta and I've been trying to avoid doing that since it is my daily driver and stuffing a deer into the trunk gets some funny looks. I have yet to spill a drop of blood on the carpet! I really like the truck, but have found various excuses to not work on it as much as I had first intended. I have it running with a few minor issues that need to be fixed before it is roadworthy. It runs, albeit a little rough and the exhaust is white and has a strong odor. I am planning to fix it in time for the spring gobbler season and resell as I am moving across the country within the next 12 months. At that point I will have to find another fixer-upper and hopefully it will be another ranger so that I don't have to learn a whole new system!

 

[sgtsandman]

White smoke with an oder from the exhaust points at a head gasket or a cracked head. I'm not sure if the 4.0 has the inclination of head cracks like the 2.9 but it is a possibility since it is the same engine family. The rough idle is probably related to the head or gasket leak. There is only one way to find out. Pull the heads and take a look.

 

[bobbywalter]

I would test the cooling system first.

And a leak down ...after compression test.

 

[DrWho42]

hello! welcome to the forums!