rangerb4000
Member
... just wanted to update that it was indeed botched and badly blown lower intake gaskets. I wasn't up for attempting it myself with the weather and other logistics... brought it to a local mechanic for whom this stuff is routine, he did a great job cleaning everything up. I had to unplug the MAF sensor to keep it running the 5 mile trip to drop it off, and that's when it finally started to mix oil & coolant. what a mess. he replaced upper and lower intake manifold gaskets, thermostat, spark plugs, and two unrelated speed sensors. also said that the EGR valve (or the diaphragm inside?) was a potential vac leak so he disconnected and blocked it off, and said to reconnect it if it causes stalling, which is not a problem so far. truck still had a CEL code for running lean both banks.
I changed the belt tensioner (because it sounded awful) then took it on a 600 mile round trip with no issues. got about 20mpg. RPMs normal.
I changed the spark plug wires earlier today and the CEL hasn't come back yet.
new annoyances that I haven't begun to track down:
-no heat in the cab! all cold air all the time. not fun.
-slight knocking noise from somewhere
-takes 9 years to fill the gas tank