Recently had a failure of my lower intake manifold gasket on my 97 Ranger, 3.0 v6 ( at least that's what I think the problem is) My oil pan is full of coolant. As far as I can tell, the manifold gasket, particularly the lower one is the most likely cause of there being so much coolant where my oil belongs.

I'm researching right now, hoping to start repairs in the next couple days, wanted to get some advice/ideas of other things I should replace while I have my engine partially disassembled, I've heard replacing head gaskets could be worth it. I've also seen sets online that include all sorts of gaskets in addition to the upper/lower manifold ones, not sure what some of them are for, but it makes sense to me to replace anything else that could be close to wearing down in there. Any advice on the manifold gaskets or other gaskets/components that would be worth replacing would be greatly appreciated, truck has 115k miles so if i don't do it now I might end up taking my engine apart again next year for something else, and would rather just do preventative maintenance.

 

Its more likely the front engine cover(timing chain cover) that's leaking coolant into oil pan, common issue on the 3.0l

Read here: https://www.ranger-forums.com/2-9l-3...-cover-113799/

But yes, coolant could leak from lower intake coolant passages into the oil gallery above the cam

You obviously should not drive it with coolant in the oil, coolant can't take the heat and when it hits the bearings it turns to steam which "steam cleans" ALL THE OIL off the bearings so they overheat and the engine will seize up, a very bad thing, lol.