My 1992 4WD Ranger 4.0 liter misfires at various times. I was told the engine needs replacement.

[Ranger anger.....]

Is this a "HELP" forum? Your home page says "don't post "help" questions anywhere but in the "HELP Forums below". I could find nothing on the page labeled "HELP forums". My HELP request is hopefully in the right place here:

I took my Ranger to the repair shop nearest my house; they've worked on it for the 18 years I've lived here. It started misfiring at seemingly random times when under power about a month ago. Very sporadic, not a frequent or 'regular' kind of misfire. They diagnosed a "coolant leak into one of the cylinders". Said it would require a new engine "if they could find one".

Spoke to a neighbor with more engine knowledge than myself, and he said if coolant is getting into any cylinder the first thing to check might be the head gasket. He said his opinion of the diagnosis from the repair shop was that they're not a very good repair shop. Recommended a second opinion.

Before taking it to another mechanic, I would like that second opinion. If sporadic misfiring can be caused by a worn head gasket, should I take this to a different mechanic's shop? Get their 'professional' opinion? I'm not equipped knowledge-wise or mechanically to take this truck's engine apart; it's my only current vehicle besides a bicycle. (And, I've had this Ranger since October 1992. Bought it brand new off the lot, in Alaska.)

 

[RangerNumber3]

Might be a bad spark plug wire. Open the hood in the dark with the truck running and you might see the wire arcing.