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barrys
Well-Known Member
So, on the Ranger, I saw it wanting coolant top off with oil changes -- about an inch in the resevior every 3,500 mi/5 months) and the temp needle running a lot higher than I was used to (near "R" instead of below "N" where it sat for years).
I have a great indy mechanic -- 40+ years working on Fords only with two other mechanics that have been in that shop for 20+. So, I called them and told them what was on my mind. They know I'm a freak already and they're often telling me not to do services that I think I need.
Anyway, I spent the week freaking out that my heads were cracked and needed replacing, or maybe worse. Then I read a buttload of posts where people had spent 20 hours replacing their heads only to find out that that didn't solve their problems.
They took a quick look -- sniffed for exhaust gasses in the coolant with the exhaust tester (smog) rig and visual inspections. They did not pull plugs to inspect or do compression tests. From what they saw, there's nothing going on that warranted further explanation. They also said that, in their experience, the 4.0's like to crack heads and it's much more rare in the 3.0. And, that when the 3.0 heads crack, it's usually accompanied with some other failure in the rest of the engine.
With all that, they ended up not getting 1400 for putting in new heads and told me to come back sometime so they could test the thermostat and temp sender since those might explain the erratic guage behaviour.
Just thought I'd share that "I read it on the internet" story. In fact my heads might actually be cracked. But, for now, we'll explore other paths or none.
I have a great indy mechanic -- 40+ years working on Fords only with two other mechanics that have been in that shop for 20+. So, I called them and told them what was on my mind. They know I'm a freak already and they're often telling me not to do services that I think I need.
Anyway, I spent the week freaking out that my heads were cracked and needed replacing, or maybe worse. Then I read a buttload of posts where people had spent 20 hours replacing their heads only to find out that that didn't solve their problems.
They took a quick look -- sniffed for exhaust gasses in the coolant with the exhaust tester (smog) rig and visual inspections. They did not pull plugs to inspect or do compression tests. From what they saw, there's nothing going on that warranted further explanation. They also said that, in their experience, the 4.0's like to crack heads and it's much more rare in the 3.0. And, that when the 3.0 heads crack, it's usually accompanied with some other failure in the rest of the engine.
With all that, they ended up not getting 1400 for putting in new heads and told me to come back sometime so they could test the thermostat and temp sender since those might explain the erratic guage behaviour.
Just thought I'd share that "I read it on the internet" story. In fact my heads might actually be cracked. But, for now, we'll explore other paths or none.
