4.0 OHV Steaming Exhaust

[dpemberton]

I just did some horsetrading for a 93 std cab 4X4 with 4.0 5sp. I knew the engine had some issues but for what I have in it, not a problem. When running, the exhaust is white steam and loaded with antifreeze.

My original thoughts are the head gaskets or possible cracked head. Is it possible that its the intake gaskets or something more simple than removing the heads?

I'm in the middle of tear it down. Well, just got the right valve cover off last night.

Any ideas??

 

[Dugan]

Pressure test the coolant system and see if you get fluid anywhere else.

 

[zrehm016]

Sounds like head gasket, block, or head issues eas way to fid out pull spark plugs see if one is clean if so that is where your problems are. I have had the same issues with mine after a complete rebuild if you can come across a digital scope you can look down the spark plug holes and look to see which piston is shiny

 

[backroad101]

Do you smell combustion in the coolant?
.

 

[kryptonitecb]

Means the inside of your engine gets free steam cleaning every time you run it.

Seriously though, cracked head or a gasket. Like mentioned above do a block test.

Sent from road while ignoring traffic

 

[dpemberton]

Do you smell combustion in the coolant?
.

I already replaced the radiator and fluid. Hard to tell now.

I knew the radiator was busted when I bought it. So the cooling system was pressurized as one point. Original owner told me that he put the serpentine belt on wrong and spun the water pump backwards and over pressurized the radiation. "I don't think so!!"

I know your next thoughts. Why would someone buy a truck with a busted radiator and head gaskets? Well, so far I only have a total of $350 in part invested (radiator, fluids, head gasket kit and head bolts). The trade material I gave up was tools I got from work.

 

[kryptonitecb]

I'd say that's a win for you. Worse comes to worse an engine swap isn't that expensive either. If you didnt warp the heads or block, replacing a head gasket sucks but is cheap.

Sent from road while ignoring traffic

 

[dpemberton]

I found one of the cause of the water leaks. The intake gasket back by cylinder 3 was green and the springs around the rocker arm shaft was coated with water. Turned the motor with out the spark plugs and water gushed from cylinder 2 and 3 (passenger side middle and rear).

This led me to believe that I had found the problem. GREAT!! Well for grins and giggles, I did a compression check. Cylinders 2, 3, 5 and 6 had between 105 to 110 PSI. That's good. But cylinders 1 and 4 are both around 50-60 psi. Being I've got the engine down this far, I'm gonna ahead and removing the head and check the valves and head for cracks.

 

[dpemberton]

The drama continues:

After pulling the heads I find this underneath them.

Four of the six cylinders have this hair line crack between the valves. I think it's time for new/reman heads.

 

[zman7125]

The drama continues:

After pulling the heads I find this underneath them.

Four of the six cylinders have this hair line crack between the valves. I think it's time for new/reman heads.

Hey man the other forum I'm on, Zach (redneckstone) rebuild the top end of his 4.0L OHV. He swears by the Alabama Cylinder heads he got. Here's his rebuild thread:

Project Thread: Rebuild 4.0L OHV

 

[spraymonkey]

I had the same opinion as you did but by the time you get the lower intake off you might as well do the heads its only a few more bolts.