Welcome Visitor! Please take a few seconds and gman-1970
Member
- Joined
- Nov 15, 2011
- Messages
- 9
- Vehicle Year
- 1994
- Transmission
- Manual
Hello,
First, I've owned my truck from a number of years now. Don't use it much, but love it when I do. I've visited this site often, but this is my first post. I must say the quantity and quality (and organization) of info on this list is pretty high rate. I wish every auto / bike site I was on was this good!
Anyway, I have a 1994 ranger 4x4 supercab with 4.0. 195K miles? Actually probably more, the tires have been oversized since I bought it used, and it had 160K or so then - so maybe another 15K miles?
Anyway, I have a coolant leak I cant seem to source and / or fix. Nothing is visible from the top of the engine, but there is a LITTLE coolant visible when looking from the bottom up. It's on the drivers side near the front of the engine. I can't see exactly where it's coming from...
Several years ago I replaced the intake manifold gaskets. It was leaking where the coolant passed from the block to the intake manifold - near the same area I see symptoms now. I am ANAL about my repairs and I think I did it "right" - even used a straight edge and feeler gauge to ensure the surface's in that area were flat - and they were.
So, is there a common failure point I can focus on - or do I need to pull the top end apart again? What about cracking / porosity issues? I couldn't see any in that area, but do I need to do a dye penetrant crack test?
This is not a massive leak - YET. What prompted me to fix it years ago is it went from a small annoying leak to a MASSIVE leak that nearly left me stranded. I don't like being stranded so I'm thinking I need to get on this sooner than later.
Any input would be greatly appreciated! If it IS the manifold gasket again, any recommendations for brand/type of replacement would be awesome.
TIA!
Gary
First, I've owned my truck from a number of years now. Don't use it much, but love it when I do. I've visited this site often, but this is my first post. I must say the quantity and quality (and organization) of info on this list is pretty high rate. I wish every auto / bike site I was on was this good!
Anyway, I have a 1994 ranger 4x4 supercab with 4.0. 195K miles? Actually probably more, the tires have been oversized since I bought it used, and it had 160K or so then - so maybe another 15K miles?
Anyway, I have a coolant leak I cant seem to source and / or fix. Nothing is visible from the top of the engine, but there is a LITTLE coolant visible when looking from the bottom up. It's on the drivers side near the front of the engine. I can't see exactly where it's coming from...
Several years ago I replaced the intake manifold gaskets. It was leaking where the coolant passed from the block to the intake manifold - near the same area I see symptoms now. I am ANAL about my repairs and I think I did it "right" - even used a straight edge and feeler gauge to ensure the surface's in that area were flat - and they were.
So, is there a common failure point I can focus on - or do I need to pull the top end apart again? What about cracking / porosity issues? I couldn't see any in that area, but do I need to do a dye penetrant crack test?
This is not a massive leak - YET. What prompted me to fix it years ago is it went from a small annoying leak to a MASSIVE leak that nearly left me stranded. I don't like being stranded so I'm thinking I need to get on this sooner than later.
Any input would be greatly appreciated! If it IS the manifold gasket again, any recommendations for brand/type of replacement would be awesome.
TIA!
Gary
