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2nd cracked head


wildcatfan94

Member
Joined
Feb 8, 2010
Messages
11
Vehicle Year
2000
Transmission
Automatic
I have a 2000 Ford Ranger that was losing coolant and running poorly. Turned out to be a cracked head. Never overheated on me. Had head replaced and two weeks later I have the same issue. Going to tear down and check the heads, change water pump and thermostat. Anyone ever have this happen or have a suggestion to what could have caused this? I have no clue but need to find out before I replace another head.
 
Check the jacket valleys on the block in that area. Maybe some or all of them are clogged with junk.
 
I assume both heads were tested the first time and only 1 was cracked.
Where was the crack?
between valves

Did you hear any "pinging/knocking"?
pre-detonation causes cylinder to heat up above normal which doesn't show up on the temp gauge right away, and aluminum heads crack easier than cast-iron with heat.
Did you notice excessive carbon build up on pistons when the first head was replaced?

There is a very simple "balloon test" you can do to see which cylinder might be leaking, before pulling everything apart.

Balloon test:
With cooling system intact(all hose connected and tight), with or without coolant, remove all spark plugs.
Remove rad cap and overflow tube
Plug overflow outlet tube, I often use a vacuum cap off the engine.
Place a balloon over the rad cap opening, I use a latex glove and rubber band.

Put one spark plug back in, I use my compression tester instead so I can do a compression test at the same time.
Some suggest pulling the EFI(fuel injection) fuse at this time, I don't, so up to you.
Turn engine over a few times, watch balloon.
Remove spark plug and put it in the next cylinder to test, repeat for all cylinders.
Balloon with dance around if/when you get to a cylinder that has a blown head gasket or cracked head, can't miss it.

I check all cylinders even after I find one that makes the balloon dance...you never know there could be two.
 
Last edited:
All the 3.0 heads are Cast Iron, Trust me if they made an aluminum casting I would have them in a heart beat. Great info on the cylinder test, Thanks for sharing that method.

JP02XLT
 

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