2.3L ('83-'97) 1994 Ranger smoking.

[Devvonc94]

Or modulator rather

 

[Bgunner]

The 5 speed manual transmissions do not have the modulator as mentioned before. Those are for automatic transmissions only.

Manual transmissions in the 94 ranger do not use the trans cooler in the radiator,this to is an automatic usage item. So you won't see trans fluid in the radiator with a manual trans.

The M5OD trans are common to leak especially the top seal on the trans.

 

[Devvonc94]

Ok well I have figured out the problem upon removal of the head. Had to buy a couple special tools for this but it wasn't too terrible. I found that I sucked a valve. Nothing else is damaged and I plan to flush motor but I'm unsure what's gonna be the most cost effective way to go about rebuilding the head. Buy a new one? Rebuild it? Anyone have any experience with the 2.3l and rebuilding the head? Or have good recommendations otherwise? Thanks!

 

[Shran]

Oh dang. How many miles are on the engine?

Since you have the head off I'd have it checked out by a machine shop and gone through. You could just cheap out and replace that valve...but you're already this far in... however I don't know how reconditioning that head will compare with a brand new one. My buddy just put a new pair of heads on his 4.0 because the machine shop wanted very close to that same cost to go through his old ones.

 

[Devvonc94]

Oh dang. How many miles are on the engine?

Since you have the head off I'd have it checked out by a machine shop and gone through. You could just cheap out and replace that valve...but you're already this far in... however I don't know how reconditioning that head will compare with a brand new one. My buddy just put a new pair of heads on his 4.0 because the machine shop wanted very close to that same cost to go through his old ones.

I have about 180k on this motor. I've been calling around machine shops but I'm reluctant to just drop my head off somewhere when they can't even give me a price ya know? I thought wouldn't a new top end possibly weaken this bottom end? Im real lost on this one. Everything seems straight since I've had this truck no overheating ever! Actually stayed closer to the cold side. But, from what I can tell the valve guide seals are gone. Head gasket looked new but there was evidence of coolant on the valves.

 

[Shran]

I always ask them for "worst case scenario assuming it's not cracked" That way they factor in cleanup, new valves/springs/valve job, guides, seals, etc... Most machine shops are like that, they won't give you an estimate without looking at it, but they will ALWAYS give you a worse case number and work down from there. That way you can compare against a new complete head.