please help, is this truck trying to kill me ?

[combover]

Hello there, new here, I have always dug the little broncos and finally picked one up last week in pretty good shape, it passed the smog inspection with flying colors yesterday so I went ahead and regestered it and put it in my name...this thing has fumes inside that are soooo unbearable.... are these fumes getting in through the gasket where the heaterbox meets the firewall? maybe they are coming in through the stickshift boot ? there is a small oil leak at one of the valve covers, this oil leak burns and smokes a little, maybe thats what is getting in the cab ? anyway,,,,its SERIOUS ! I love this little truck and want to fix it and enjoy it but kinda hard when my eyes and skin are burning from fumes, anybody experience this ? Thanx !

 

[adsm08]

Slap some new valve cover gaskets on it, fix the exhaust leak that I am betting you have, and go from there.

 

[combover]

I took it to the muffler shop today and we found a crack in the muffler...replaced muffler, and guy said no other exhaust leaks...is there supposed to be a grommet where the heater hoses go into the firewall ? does or can that other gasket at the firewall and heaterbox leak ?

 

[adsm08]

There are no grommets are the heater hoses. I don't think there is an actual gasket at the heater box.

But you are missing the point I am trying to make. There should not be anything burning in the engine bay to make the fumes that are gassing you out. The only thing should be the engine exhaust, which should be carried out from under the body and away from you via sealed system.

I have driven my truck 100 miles with no shifter boot and no floor plate around the shifter with no issues other than being really cold.

You need to fix the oil leak that is probably the source of your smoke and fumes. Then take it to the car wash and hit the manifolds with some soap and the high-pressure sprayer.

 

[combover]

Right on Man, thanx ! I had a 67 Ford econoline that had blow by coming into the cab through the wasted doghouse seals.......I got the same sinus burning, eye watering, higher than a kite effect !

 

[wildbill23c]

Yeah I had the same issues but after having new head gaskets installed and the valve cover gaskets replaced the problem has disappeared. These 2.8L's are notorious for engine oil leaks. The Bronco 2 is a really fun rig, can't wait to get the bugs worked out of mine so I can use it as a daily driver.

 

[combover]

Wow....you had to do the head gaskets too ?

 

[a31ford]

I agree with ADSM and others,

B2's and rangers have issues with leaking valve covers the "smoking oil" (cuz it's not really on fire) is the burning eyes,and nose thing.

My Ranger's shifter boot is loose at the moment, no smell, no burn.

AND..... do NOT cheap out on the gaskets... somewhere in this forum, is a post about the gaskets that is REALLY good about how to change them (used it myself), find, read, apply.

Greg

 

[adsm08]

The valve cover gaskets are easy to do right. Get the rubber ones from NAPA, lightly coat the sealing surfaces with RTV, put them on, and don't over-tighten the bolts.

I really think that last part is what gets most of them leaking again right away. The valve covers on these engines are just stamped steel, so even with the spreader plates under the bolts it is really easy to over-tighten and warp the covers. I won't use anything but a 1/4" ratchet to put them back on.

 

[combover]

That big ol ac unit doesn't have to come off does it ?...to get to the cover on the drivers side ? 2.9 .......1986 ...Thanx !

 

[97RangerXLT]

yep, valve cover gaskets will get rid of the fumes. My 97 Ranger was gassing me out from the oil cooking on the the exhaust after it dripped from the valve covers. fixed them, and the truck is fine.

Adsm is spot on for tightening the bolts. they don't need to be monkeyed down, they need to be just a hair past snug and that should do it.

AJ

 

[97RangerXLT]

On my 97 I had to unbolt the AC compressor but it was able to swing back on the hoses with out having to disconnect any hoses or discharge the system. Maybe that will be the same for your 2.9

AJ

 

[PanamaExpat]

Roll down the windows.... Problem solved

 

[combover]

Roll down the windows.... Problem solved

I would but it has electric windows ha !

 

[combover]

I agree with ADSM and others,

B2's and rangers have issues with leaking valve covers the "smoking oil" (cuz it's not really on fire) is the burning eyes,and nose thing.

My Ranger's shifter boot is loose at the moment, no smell, no burn.

AND..... do NOT cheap out on the gaskets... somewhere in this forum, is a post about the gaskets that is REALLY good about how to change them (used it myself), find, read, apply.

Greg

Where can I find that posting ?