Got myself a first truck. Ranger of course!

[The Running Man]

It is a 1991 4.0L 4x4 Extended Cab Auto with 188KM on the clock. The exterior looks almost brand new except for one small spot of rust on the rear fender. Interior is in equally great condition. Looks barely used.
It cranks 3-4 times, but it has started every time. It idles very smoothly.
It runs strong and I have no problems on the highway.
I can barely feel the automatic transmission when it shifts.

That's the good part.

The bad part is that when I went to change the oil, there was apparently water in the oil. Headgasket? Something else?
The temp gauge doesn't move.
Engaging the 4x4 makes the steering wheel shake and vibrate while turning.
The pedals feel mushy, but that might be because I am used to driving an 07 Focus.
Also the T-handle on the canopy doesn't unlock.

I am inexperienced in terms of mechanical issues but I want to learn.
I already love the truck, even with the issues. Where do I start with this old lady to make it reliable, safe and lasting?

 

[Will]

First, don't use the 4x4 until you take the front axle completely apart and replace all of the u-joints and clean and lube the slip joint. You are going to break parts that are not made anymore.

I don't believe in bad headgaskets. Something else...something bad...probably.

 

[ranger_mclaren]

Welcome to the site. I with him^^ on the four wheel drive. As for the t-handle I'm assuming you mean tonneau cover? I would as the previous owner about that. I would check the anti-freeze also for oil. Something may have been wrong that caused the water in the oil. I would change the oil again after a couple weeks to see if the water still exist. Whats this I hear about a '07 focus you have? Stock?

 

[doorgunner]

Welcome to the world of DRIVEIT/FIXIT......."previously owned vehicles" help you learn lots of good stuff....fix the temp gauge first!!!!!!!!!

 

[jcd302]

Temp gauge is an easy fix. The sensor is on top and like $10.

 

[The Running Man]

First, don't use the 4x4 until you take the front axle completely apart and replace all of the u-joints and clean and lube the slip joint. You are going to break parts that are not made anymore.

I don't believe in bad headgaskets. Something else...something bad...probably.

Good point. I don't know what was done before I got it.

I took the car in to a local mechanic and asked him to look at the oil/water issues. His opinion was "headgasket, expensive", he then told me about some head gasket sealant fluid.
I'm a bit skeptic about putting that in my coolant without knowing more about what is going on.

What I have checked so far is:
-Bubbling in the coolant/radiator while starting and idling (none),
-Excessive white smoke (some when starting, but it subdues quickly. Unsure just how "white" white smoke is supposed to be).
-Oil on dipstick changing colour (no change noticed).

As for the t-handle I'm assuming you mean tonneau cover? I would as the previous owner about that. I would check the anti-freeze also for oil. Something may have been wrong that caused the water in the oil. I would change the oil again after a couple weeks to see if the water still exist. Whats this I hear about a '07 focus you have? Stock?

Are there tests you can run on the fluid to detect the presence of fluids that shouldn't be there. Some kind of litmus maybe?
I mean the handle on the rear door on the canopy. The key works, but takes tremendous fiddling to get it to work. I am just going to replace the handle.

I do drive a Focus, completely stock. I share it with my wife and when I work out of town I take the Focus due to fuel consumption.

Welcome to the world of DRIVEIT/FIXIT......."previously owned vehicles" help you learn lots of good stuff....fix the temp gauge first!!!!!!!!!

Temp gauge is an easy fix. The sensor is on top and like $10.

Where can I find information on how to troubleshoot it? Check voltages?
Mechanics is new territory for me, I am a total office rat.

 

[mp3deviant721]

Good point. I don't know what was done before I got it.

I took the car in to a local mechanic and asked him to look at the oil/water issues. His opinion was "headgasket, expensive", he then told me about some head gasket sealant fluid.
I'm a bit skeptic about putting that in my coolant without knowing more about what is going on.

Don't put that stuff in your coolant. That "sealer" is too efficient at what it does and will plug any hole it finds.

What I have checked so far is:
-Bubbling in the coolant/radiator while starting and idling (none),
-Excessive white smoke (some when starting, but it subdues quickly. Unsure just how "white" white smoke is supposed to be).
-Oil on dipstick changing colour (no change noticed).

White smoke is very white, you will notice a noticeable difference from water vapor. If your head gaskets are bad you'd know because it would overheat to the point of destroying the motor. I'd say something more along the lines of lower intake gasket.

Are there tests you can run on the fluid to detect the presence of fluids that shouldn't be there. Some kind of litmus maybe?

You can send oil samples to a lab that does that sort of testing, Google it, I don't know of any places that does that.

Where can I find information on how to troubleshoot it? Check voltages?
Mechanics is new territory for me, I am a total office rat.

Pretty good change your temp sensor is bad if it is not moving. Or there is an electrical issue with the circuit. I'd just start with the sensor as that is a pretty cheap fix. If that doesn't solve it, then you can further troubleshoot it. Otherwise you are going to have to find a DMM (digital multi-meter) and start measuring resistance values of your temp sensor.

Rangers and Ranger Based Vehicles (RBV's) are good trucks, my dad has bought and sold 4 (3 Rangers and 1 Explorer) of them, we currently have two. Take care of it, it will take care of you.

 

[four100d]

I had a 94 ranger, 4.0 auto that had oil in the coolant, and it would burn coolant. I decided to replace the heads, gaskets, etc. Before I replaced anything, the engine did not run hot, or overheat. So if it is a head, or a head gasket, it doesn't mean that it will always run hot or overheat...

 

[josh-the-ranger]

Are there tests you can run on the fluid to detect the presence of fluids that shouldn't be there. Some kind of litmus maybe?.

Usually what I do is to fart into the intake, cap it and measure the pressure. If it still is at the same pressure in 2 hours, head gasket is good. Also if radiator coolant smells like shit and or bubbles right away...., you guessed it. Bad head gasket

An old timer taught me this trick!
Hope this helps!!

 

[The Running Man]

Usually what I do is to fart into the intake, cap it and measure the pressure. If it still is at the same pressure in 2 hours, head gasket is good. Also if radiator coolant smells like shit and or bubbles right away...., you guessed it. Bad head gasket

An old timer taught me this trick!
Hope this helps!!

I picked up a Temp Sending Unit I'll be replacing tomorrow. I'm also having Mexican for dinner so I can perform the troubleshooting mentioned above.

One step at a time!

 

[The Running Man]

Well this didn't go too well.

I proceeded to pop the hood and started tearing at the engine. I finally got the Temp Sending Unit out of the hole in the engine.

Huh, it looks different than the part they sold me.
I atleast confirmed that this part works as it should after running it the sensor under hot water and measuring the resistance.

Then in my ignorance I thought maybe it was the actual gauge that failed.
So, after tearing apart the dash and iremoving the instrument cluster I came the conclusion that it was wrong as well. The dash came together again pretty good, except for the ashtray.

After doing some more research I found out that there are two sensors, one for the computers and one for the gauge. Good thing the manual was so abundantly clear on that part.
So now it appears I need to get in under the truck, and I don't own any jackstands yet so it'll have to wait.

Apart from that, I'd say I'm off to a fantastic start!

 

[Andy D]

You should be able to rent a pressure tester from your local parts chains. I am new to the Ranger and its bugs. Hearing about fluid co-mingling in the 4.0 doesn't give me a warm and fuzzy feeling. What is this lower intake leaking, I'm hearing about? Furthest Ive driven the truck was 60 highway miles with no issues. My typical run since is about 10 minutes. I will examine the oil veeeery closely when I change it. Soon as I hang up here, I am gonna research a few things.