temp. fix for blown head gasket

[mayhem69]

Hi, i am trading my truck in soon for a new truck. A few weeks ago it was running pretty good and was not yet diagnosed it needed a head gasket. Now it is missing badly and i am getting worried about the trade in time.
I have a 2000 Ford Ranger XLT with a 3.0 v6 2wd , auto if that matters.
I did buy a $10 container of that silicone stuff you add the the radiator but it didn't do anything at all.
I received 4,300 trade in for this pos. Now with it running so badly i am getting scared about screwing my trade in value for it.
I need a temporary fix.
Any ideas?

 

[lneidlinger]

3.0 is a tough motor. Check for spark on all cylinders. Take all the plug wires off and take one spark plug out at a time, plug it into the plug wire and hold it close (real close, about the same distance as the gap on the spark plug) to the block and see if it sparks when turned over.

 

[backroad101]

You say I received 4,300 trade in? Have you worked the deal out already or is that what you want to get from your research? Can you let the Ranger sit until you are ready to pick up the new truck?

.

 

[mayhem69]

You say I received 4,300 trade in? Have you worked the deal out already or is that what you want to get from your research? Can you let the Ranger sit until you are ready to pick up the new truck?

.

yes, that's right i am receiving 4,300 trade in and still waiting on my new truck. the deal was already worked out. No, i cannot let it sit, anyway it is missing badly so i am worried when i go drop it off.

 

[backroad101]

yes, that's right i am receiving 4,300 trade in and still waiting on my new truck. the deal was already worked out. No, i cannot let it sit, anyway it is missing badly so i am worried when i go drop it off.

Does it miss at a cold start or after it warms up? If it is the latter, arrange to pick up your new truck first thing in the morning. Then, the night before, park/leave the truck next door to or close to the dealership. Have someone drop you off at your truck in the morning, drive it to the dealership and park it. Hurry up and get your new truck and go home.

.

 

[TheTopher]

Best check for a bad headgasket would be milky stuff on the dipstick and when you change your oil.

Bad headgaskets usually cause overheating issues before they cause misfires. (in my experience, anyway)


Using the spark plug wire test as mentioned before is a great way to isolate the misfire.

 

[94 lngbd]

I used a bottle of steal seal on my 96 mercury mystique over 4000 miles ago due to a blown head gasket & still is running fine with out any issues. $60 bottle versus $1200 shop cost.

 

[lneidlinger]

ALSO, while you have the spark plugs out check for coolant in the cylinders. You can either see it squirt out of the spark plug hole when turned over or stick something like a wooden popsicle stick in there and see if it comes out wet. If it does, smell it to make sure it isn't just unburnt gas.

 

[b2rich]

I took a subaru xt in for a trade. had major electrical issues, bad struts, oil all over the engine, generally a pos. but fun to drive.
i got like 3000 in a trade in for a 96 ranger.
do what backroad suggested. and dont worry about it.