98 Ranger Intake or Head Gasket Replace

[Big Jim M]

Did you prop the throttle wide open for the compression test?
The balloon told ya that you do have a compression leak. Then the compression test PROVED where it is.
Now you pull that head and give it a look. Was it mine I'd be pulling the other also and installing a new gasket there also.
The block surface needs a real good inspection with a good light to make sure it is intact.
So far you haven't indicated anything that would indicate worn out rings.
Get out there and get to it.
Big Jim

 

[enjr44]

Well, one thing is for sure. You did the compression test wrong. With the numbers to got it would not run at all. You need at least 100 psi for an engine to run.... So, like Jim, I would bet you left the throttle plate closed so the engine could not get air.

As for the glove test, yup, you did it wrong, too. You were supposed to pull the plug wires before the test so it wouldn't start.

But, with coolant coming out of #3 you got your answer anyway!!!

 

[kb406]

You guys are great. Cant tell you how much I appreciate the help.

Pretty sure the throttle plate is open. I spun the lever attached to the cable on the side of the throttle body. The zip tie in the photo is holding the throttle open. Was I completely wrong?

Kind of excited to start tearing this down, but want to get good readings on the other cylinders first to make sure its worth the effort. Why would the increased pressure after adding a bit of oil not suggest piston issues?

**sorry for the annoying upside down photo. CANNOT get it inverted.

 

[Spott]

It looks like the throttle is open just fine, but those numbers, even wet, are really low. I'd expect to see around 150psi when dry from that engine.

It's best to test the engine warm, so start it and let it idle for 15 minutes or so before you do the test. Did you crank the engine for several seconds on each cylinder, until the gauge stopped rising? You did have all the plugs out so it couldn't even pretend to run, right? And you're not holding the release button on the gauge as you crank it? And the tester is installed wrench-tight into each spark-plug hole, with the included o-ring?

The numbers for the other cylinders are so far off the expected values, that you can't interpret them to mean anything. If they were true, your engine wouldn't fire reliably on any cylinder. If you want to determine the condition of the other cylinders, you'll have to get some valid compression data by repeating the test.

 

[kb406]

Let it warm up for about 15 min. Compression tested again. Everything is around 120 with the number three at 0 and the number 2 at 60. Blown gasket between 2 and 3.

Compression of 120 seems low in all the other cylinders, right? What could be the cause of that. Am I about to fix a head gasket on a weak engine?

 

[Andy D]

Take another compression test giving each cylinder a little oil before hand.

 

[cvar]

Service manuals:
http://visualbits.net/Car Stuff/Ford Ranger 1993-1999/

http://visualbits.net/Car Stuff/Ford Ranger 1993-1999/03 - ENGINE/03-00 - Engine Service.pdf

 

[kb406]

You rock, cvar! That will be a major help. The Haynes Manual is barely helpful.

Too late to run a compression again, Andy. Thanks for the tip, though.

Finally dove in midday Sunday. Got the air intake, serpentine belt, throttle body, upper intake manifold and coil pack off. Took the radiator and hood off as well, just to free up a bit of space.

Tonight I plan to take the alternator off, and get the ac compressor and power steering pump out of the way. Will probably take the fan off as well, since I plan to do the timing chain cover and water pump.

Taking photos along the way, as well as videos. They're more notes to myself than a walk through, but I might post them eventually, for others going through the same process.

My first major question: should there have been a gasket between the upper intake manifold and the lower intake manifold? There was a thin layer or silicon around the extreme outer edges, but that was it. I'll post a photo tonight, if helpful.

 

[rangerpilot]

No more updates? How did this project go? Pics/Vids
You left us hanging!