Head Gasket - In truck repair??
 

I believe that the Boy Child's Ranger has developed a head gasket leak - Carmel Milk Shake under Oil cap -

1994 3.0L 4x4 ExCab 160,000ish miles.

Is this a repair that can be done with the engine in the truck with minimal Pain in the A$$ factor?

How can "we" tell if the heads are warped, cracked, or need to be machined?

Can the Exhaust manifold gaskets be replaced while in the truck since the top 1/2 of the engine will be disassembled...?

How long would a job like this take... Inexperienced Boy Child - Frazzled single Mommy (with some engine rebuild experience-the Ex was good for something) - Less than helpful friends???

Any other suggestions for anything else to look for..... Other than the Junk Yard...LOL!

You should be able to get it done with the engine still in the truck. I have never done it though.

involves time thats for sure...

yes it can be done in the truck.. get the heads magnafluxed for cracks then resurfaced..



and "boy Child"? what in heck

Boy Child = My son..... 18 yr old....

Taking the heads off on his OHV 4.0 is a lot easier that doing it on a SOHC 4.0. Just get a Haynes manual and go for it.

just and interesting naming...

christian its a 3.0L

See what happens when I try to speed read. Well it still has the cam in the block so it's still easier than a SOHC 4.0.

true i didnt disagree

Yep, already got a Haynes and I'm well aware that this is a very time consuming endeavor.... Just wanted to avoid having to pull the engine. I don't have the time, energy, patience, tools, or work facility to do that. As it is My convertible Camaro will have to be moved out of the garage into the snow and cold.

I'll take a look at the Haynes and try to get this repair done.

Thanks for the help guys!

MMDRanger, is the milkshake just under the oil cap? or is the entire sump milkshake?

It is a common occourence on 3.0 to have water buildup under the oil cap since it is the highest point, and when the water goes to exaporate, it goes there. just make sure that the breather or pcv is in working order, keep an eye on the coolant and oil colors and levels, and drive it a while longer and see if the milkshake returns, my 98 used to do it all the time when i drove 3 miles to work

also, if it is driven short distances and not allowed to reach operating temperature, this will amplify the problem. You dont live too far away from me if you want a second opinion or want me to pressure test the system, or i can use the head gasket leak detector (for lack of a better term) which detects if there is combustion gases in the cooling system

no...you won't have to pull the engine
it is just very time consuming and tedious work.

i've learned if you take the hood off the truck, it makes it a hell of a lot easier.

Hmmm Toreador4x4, makes me wonder if the entire sys is milkshake.... I know that the PCV valve is new - just replaced it (within 100 miles). I/we have never noticed froth build up under the oil cap before. Have put almost 15,000 miles on since I bought her.

The Boy deliver's pizza and I'm not sure if it was warm/hot when he checked it or not. Generally he doesn't drive long distances. Most trips are within 5 miles.

I appreciate the offer of the pressure testing and/or combustion gas detector.... I will get more info from my son and give you a shout if that's the direction we go in.... THANKS!

just let me know.

now that it is colder it will be more prominent, because there will be more moisture in the oil. check the oil and see if it looks milkshake-ish. if he delivers pizza and makes a 5 mile run and then shuts the truck off, itll def cause that to happen because the oil doesnt get hot enough for the fuel and water to evaporate out of it. he sould change it quite often if this is the case