Blown Manifold/head gasket variations?

[SoLongStang9499]

What is the difference symptom wise between a blown head gasket and a leaking intake manifold? I have been steadily losing coolant over the last year or so, thinking it was a leaking thermostat. I replaced the thermostat, which was actually leaking some, roughly 2 months ago. I am still losing coolant, roughly 1 1/2 cups of coolant every 300 miles. There is white smoke out the exaust on cold starts, and a kind of funk to it when warm, although it doesnt smell like burning coolant( or taste like for that matter). I have no coolant in the oil, and vice versa. I replaced the bank 1 and 2 o2 sensors a year ago due to p1151 and p1154 lean codes, a week ago they returned. I have no weaping freeze plugs, no snot on the oilcap, and no bubbles in the radiator( although i did not due a pressure test).the truck ran great before i began getting the codes again. I will have a few days to knock this out soon so i want to make sure i am on the right track. Thanks for any replies, and sorry for the long post.

 

[SoLongStang9499]

anyone?

 

[Roger Jolly]

Both of my 4.0s with intake manifold gasket problems lost a bit of coolant over time. Both had clean oil. No pressure or leakdown tests were performed. Both leaked externally. My 1991 Ranger leaked from the front drivers side and my 1996 leaked from the rear passengers side. Both blew out with a hiss and rapid coolant loss.

 

[Nhaz]

Whens the last time you replaced the hoses? Ive seen old hoses evaporate the coolant right through the hose. iI took me a year to figure out what my mustang was doing with the coolant. It wasn't burning it. It wasn't leaking it. It stopped losing coolant when started with the hoses. Even though the hoses looked fine.

 

[Bird]

Any bubbling in the radiator while it's running? There's test paper that you can get to check for combustion by products in the coolant which would indicate a blown head gasket, etc. Also a possibility of a cracked head leaking the coolant into the combustion chamber when hot / after shutdown - especially if there's ever been a case of overheating of the engine.

One leak that I had that drove me crazy was a seam in the radiator tank was leaking , but only when hot and just a little in the front where I couldn't see it - light steady loss of coolant that I couldn't find until I fianlly pulled the radiator.

Bird

 

[SoLongStang9499]

Thanks guys for the response, and i will look into that paper. Im pretty sure its not leaking anything because right after i start it up cold, and i mean 10 seconds, i start getting the white smoke with a kind of funk to it, it sorta smells like coolant but doesnt smell as sweet nor does the moisture have a taste of coolant. That seems to be a too short amount of time for the pipes to get hot enough to burn out condensation. I checked the valve covers and i dont see any external leaks. im fairly sure its either the manifold or head gasket, but i guess until i use that leakdown paper, i wont know which it is. Man would that suck if i did the manifold gaskets, put it all back together and realize its the head gaskets- thats what worries me But thanks guys for the quick responses

 

[SoLongStang9499]

what brand would you guys recommend for whatever kind of gaskets i may need, i have seen alot of felpros, but ive been told to stay away from them, any advice? Thanks!

 

[Ranger44]

Just use fel-pro. You'd be hard presed to find any other brand. Maybe Corteco on Rockauto.com.

Most people say stay away from fel-pro's lower intake gaskets. But I think they are fine when the alternative torque sequene is used. Not sure what it is, but it's different from what most mauals reccomend.

 

[Roger Jolly]

I used Fel-pro on both of my 4.0s with no problems. Make sure the mating surfaces are clean and torque correctly.

 

[SoLongStang9499]

i am fairly sure its just a blown intake manifold, i think if it was a blown head gasket i would have some coolant in the oil, or much worse symptoms then what im experiencing. While im at it im going to replace the pushrods and rockers, i think i am beginning to get some clatter on my bank 2 cylinders, even though it only has 89k miles. I found some good prices for rockers and pushrods through autozone, Melling? Anyone heard of them, and are they any good? Thanks guys for any advice and the quick responses i have already gotten!

 

[Ranger44]

If you are going through the trouble of replacing rockers, get the F40 set from Delta Cams. They are a hardened set that will prevent premature wear. \

Also when cleaning the mating surfaces, only use a razor blade scrapper to clean them. Resist the urge to take a scuff pad or anything air powered. That will destroy the machined surface. Also spray them down with brake cleaner to remove any grime.