Ranger help!! please

[TacoPaco]

Hey guys! i'm new on here and I want to be part of the forum but before I do i need some wheels first i guess then lol but anyways i'm looking at this ranger and the truck seems to have a leak in the head gasket. No water leaks out of the engine block. There is no apparent water in the oil, and no apparent oil in the water. But some extra pressure builds up in the coolant system and the temp is not regulating perfectly (will get a little hot when it is warm, and it was running a little cool all winter). new thermostat in it abt. 9 months ago when this first started, and it made no difference. Goes threw antifreeze a gallon or two a week... So would this definite proof that the head gasket is out? thanks

 

[Mark_88]

Howdy TP....not necessarily the head gasket...could be leaking from somewhere else or simply an air pocket in the cooling system that causes it to belch the coolant...

With the engine cold, take the cap off the rad and start the engine...let it run till it is at operating temperature and then watch the fluid level...if it drops suddenly when the t-stat opens, fill it up with coolant and let it run a minute or so...then if the fluid level stays the same cap the rad and test it with a run...

Mine was spewing coolant due to an air pocket and until I burped (that's a technical word) the system it would loose about a litre or two a day...once it is burped it should be fine...if not...you have a leak somewhere...

 

[TacoPaco]

Alright well I hope its that as i'm sure it would be a lot cheaper than a head. Thanks for the reply!

 

[TacoPaco]

Do you think I would be safe paying 800$ if it did have a blown head gasket?

 

[Mark_88]

If you want to pay me to $800 to replace the head gasket I wouldn't complain...I'd even clean up the mess after...

What engine do you have and how many tools can you buy with $800? I could buy the head gasket, the tools I need to do the job, three cases of beer, and still have enough to pay my phone and half my rent with that kind of money...

they are not hard to do...and you might learn something very valuable in the process...

 

[Jraymer360]

If you want to pay me to $800 to replace the head gasket I wouldn't complain...I'd even clean up the mess after...

What engine do you have and how many tools can you buy with $800? I could buy the head gasket, the tools I need to do the job, three cases of beer, and still have enough to pay my phone and half my rent with that kind of money...

they are not hard to do...and you might learn something very valuable in the process...

he's going to pay 800 for the truck, not 800 to fix it!

 

[Mark_88]

he's going to pay 800 for the truck, not 800 to fix it!

Sorry, misread the post...

I'd have to say depends on the shape of the body and frame and what else it needs...a project can run into the thousands if it needs too much work...

How do I know this???

And, again, what engine is in it...

 

[TacoPaco]

4.0 man heres the link
he wants 950$ but I ill ask 800$

http://bend.craigslist.org/cto/2968321498.html

 

[Jraymer360]

even if it needs head gaskets, i still think it's worth 950

 

[straycat]

Hey guys! i'm new on here and I want to be part of the forum but before I do i need some wheels first i guess then lol but anyways i'm looking at this ranger and the truck seems to have a leak in the head gasket. No water leaks out of the engine block. There is no apparent water in the oil, and no apparent oil in the water. But some extra pressure builds up in the coolant system and the temp is not regulating perfectly (will get a little hot when it is warm, and it was running a little cool all winter). new thermostat in it abt. 9 months ago when this first started, and it made no difference. Goes threw antifreeze a gallon or two a week... So would this definite proof that the head gasket is out? thanks

Could also be a cracked block, Bro. You need to do a compression check on the motor and make sure you do not have a cracked block or a stress crack. You are going to pay a lot more in the long run if you don't!!

 

[Mark_88]

Well the coolant is disappearing according to the ad...that could mean a few things...a compression test is a good idea if it's close by...

The truck looks good on the outside but I'd want to crawl under it...looks like he's running 14" tires which makes crawling a bit more challenging...but if the frame and under side is good, firewall is the next thing to check...replacing engines and other parts may be needed but I wouldn't invest a dime until it was inspected thoroughly...

I paid almost that for my first truck and it was a mess...this one looks pretty good and I'd buy it myself if I could have a look at it (not that I need another truck)...investing another $1500 in upgrades would still give you a dang good truck for under $3,000...not an easy thing to find

 

[nlarr81]

if he will let you do a compression test and a leak down test that will tell you everything you need to know....are you handy with a tool box? if so its something that you could have a long time.....