gaskets

[rangerrager]

hey guys.i am thinking of replacing all of my engine gaskets.from the intake manifold up.is there anything i should know about this.and helpfull tips.
thanks
ryan

 

[Drag0n]

figured i would post this here since im pretty much asking the same questions

i recently bought a 96 ford ranger 4.0l 2wd 5 speed supercab xlt for $3250

i took it to the dealership my brother works at for a free 100 point inspection and they quoted me $2100 in gasket repairs and an additional $89 deep 2hr inspection because the cel light is on

"leaky water pump, bad headgaskets bad front main, exhaust manifold leak and told me the timeing belt needs replaced"

i've been reading the forums here a lot and took everyones advice they have given other people
i took the truck to auto zone and had the codes read
i cant remember the code's atm but it was the purge valve and the iac i cleaned the iac and the maf replaced the hoses (they were shot) on the purge valve and replaced the gas cap since i couldnt hear any airpreasure when releasing the cap.

thank you for the information on those was a big help and the truck now runs like new and no cel light

my problem now is changing the gaskets...

while doing this should i just rebuild the top end? my budget is tight and i dont wanna tear into this thing and have other problems after putting it back together

i heard someone say to have the heads machined before puting them back on.. is there anything else i should have done also?

what gaskets to i need to replace?

and how long would a job like this take? this is my only vehicle and is my daily driver
i work graveyard and have 3 days off each week.

sorry for the long post and thank you in advance

free bump for rangerrager

 

[Big Jim M]

Well I NEVER!!! Why on earth do you suppose the dealer advertised "FREE INSPECTION"?
The only reason is to drum up business from the unsuspecting folks that are unwary enough to take em their vehicle..
Why would one change gaskets or otherwise mess around with an engine that was running OK? EVERY time the intake or head or exhaust is removed and replaced one stands a chance of torking the engine and twisting it to a different shape than it was when running OK.. Gaskets are known to last for 50 years and more...leave em alone until they give up and then ONLY replace what NEEDS replacing.
Big JIm

 

[Drag0n]

thats the thing they really are leaking the head gasket is a small leak atm
but ive seen how fast they turn into big leaks

not only that next month im driving to the coast (8hr drive) and thats all i need it for it to go completely out on the trip


and the iinspection was only free because my brother works there its normally $40

 

[MAKG]

hey guys.i am thinking of replacing all of my engine gaskets.from the intake manifold up.is there anything i should know about this.and helpfull tips.
thanks
ryan

Helpful tip #1: If it ain't broke, don't fix it.

As for the "head gasket leak," IF it's true that the water jacket is leaking (and I'd be suspicious under the circumstances), it's probably not the gasket that's leaking.

Bright flaming red flag #1 is the claim that a 4.0L needs a timing belt changed. Perhaps if it HAD a timing belt.

If your water jacket is blown, expect to find coolant where you shouldn't. Like in the crankcase and/or out the exhaust pipe.

 

[Drag0n]

If your water jacket is blown, expect to find coolant where you shouldn't. Like in the crankcase and/or out the exhaust pipe.

what exactly is a water jacket?

 

[MAKG]

The coolant circulates around all six cylinders, as well as much of the combustion chambers. A blown water jacket can be a blown head gasket, cracked head, cracked block, or an external leak (core plug).

 

[Simple_serf]

I'd say to ignore every damn thing they said.

When someone says to change the timing belt on a 4.0, you know you are getting screwed.