Hi all,
new to the forum and looking for some help. I have a 1999 Ranger wit the 3.0L v6. I am working my way down to the head gaskets.

I did compression tests and got these readings:
cyl / reading .... cyl / reading
3 / 150 .......... 6 / 150
2 / 145 .......... 5 / 130
1 / 60 ........... 4 / 150

Coolant pressure test: 18psi dropped to 17psi over 15mins but held there for several hours.

Oil looks good, no water/milkshake.

White exaust smoke, coolant pushed into overflow reservoir.

First question: do these symptoms make sense? Particularly the good coolant pressuere test and the reservoir filling up?

Second question can I get away with not doing the head gasket for the driver side head? (cyl 4, 5, 6)

Thanks,
Gene

 

Add about 2 tablespoons of oil to each bore and do the compression test again.
If #1 improves allot, then you have "ring" damage.
If no real improvement, then you have valve problem and/or a blown head gasket.


It's most likely been over heated and the head gaskets have been crushed from the heads over expanding.
It's false economy to do just one side, #5 at 130 isn't far behind _ all should be at 160/165.

I would get the heads done too or at the very least make sure that the valves them selves have not been damaged from it being over heated.
Valves can get so hot that they melt and don't "seat" properly anymore.
Also might be a good idea to get the heads pressure tested and checked for cracks. White smoke (steam) means that coolant is getting into the combustion chamber. It's more then likely the head gasket, but you never know for sure unless you test the head(s).


Use Fel-Pro head gaskets, you'll need new head bolts too.

 

Welcome to the forum

+1 to what Jeff said

You have a cooling system pressure tester so hook it up, 0psi, but you can put it up to 5psi
Disconnect coil pack for a No Start
Crank engine and watch the pressure gauge
Needle should bounce each time #1 is on compression stroke, 60psi being pushed into cooling system.

Pull out #1 spark plug and repeat test
If needle no longer bounces then yes #1 has a leak to cooling system, head gasket or cracked head issue.

You can just do one head on any V6/V8 engine
Your choice.

But the thinking for doing both is because of what Jeff said.
Heads don't just crack out of the blue and head gaskets don't just fail for no reason.
Usually engine was overheated for either to happen.
So while you CAN fix only the effected head there is a good chance the other head gasket might fail sooner than later so you will be back again to change it.

You have to get full intake gasket set to do one bank of the engine
And Head gaskets usually only come in pairs, and head bolts in Sets to do both heads, so you will have the parts to do both heads.

IMO, I would do both, all it is is unscrewing 8 more bolts and the exhaust manifold

 

Hi and thank you to both of you! You confirmed what a I was thinking. I am gonna replace both head gaskets. As I was looking at things this just made more sense and as you both brought up I am all ready in for a dime, might as well go for the dollar!

The main point that was confusing me was the good coolant pressure with losing coolant. I have all ready started pulling it apart and have the coolant drained and the serpentine belt off so cant check the coolant pressure again.

I will however have the heads checked when I get them out.

Thanks again,
Gene

 

You don't need coolant in the system to test pressure, just need all the hoses connected.
And for head gasket test no coolant is better, since you are testing for an "air" leak not a coolant leak.