145k, using oil, loosing coolant externally.

[scott7556]

I know that the intake manifold gasket thing has been rehashed on here a million times, but will an intake manifold gasket breakdown, either upper or lower, result in my ol' Ranger using 2 quarts every 3000 miles? I honestly don't see it burning any oil, and at the same time my coolant isn't milky. I am finding coolant on both sides of the engine, and am believing it is coming out ABOVE the head gaskets, this coolant is VERY clean, and is being used to the tune of 12 ounces every 250 miles or so. I would find it hard to believe that one gasket failure would cause both problems, but I also read something about oil usage and this gasket problem. Any help would be appreciated, and thanks in advance fellas!

 

[Big Jim M]

Have we fired her up and opened the hood and watched closely for 30 minutes or so? After the engine reaches temperature it should heve 15 lbs of pressure in the coolant passages.. That 15 lbs should push out coolant in such amounts that it should be easily seen..
For the oil burning.. The valve stem seals when worn allow amounts such as you describe to be injested by the engine. Sometimes running the engine low on coolant can overheat the valves which in turn can cause the seals to go away.
Big Jim

 

[Sevensecondsuv]

Yes, the intake manifold gasket could cause that. First I would just remove the upper intake (a very simple, quick job) and check the bolts holding the lower intake down. If they are loose, then you probably want to put a new intake gasket in and torque them opposite from the Ford-published torque pattern (meaning you should tighten them from the center out to the ends). Also get new fuel injector o-rings and coat them in vasoline prior to reassembly, it will make putting the fuel rail back on 10x easier.

 

[scott7556]

Big Jim,
How hard is it to replace the valve stem seals? I have done such on my Honda ATV, but will I have to pull the heads on the Ranger? By the way, are there any links to the whole intake gasket replacement instructions on TRS? I figured as common as this is, there would be a technical thread on it. I did watch for 30 or so minutes, but have yet to see a definitive drip.

I also forgot to include, I have owned my Ranger for 9 years, and actually just started driving it a longer distance each day (new job), and it's now getting almost 22 MPG after new O2 sensors, and has as much power/smooth running as it ever has! So it baffles me how I am loosing fluids and running so good..!?