guys, I need help. have a 4.0 ohv, decided to replace intake manifold gaskets today thought i had a intake leak and would fix problem. got the old ones off new on. I get it all back together and start it to test drive. i noticed some sort of fluid dripping out the bottom. I spilled antifreeze all over the engien taking it apart so i just assumed it was that and running down the engine onto the ground, so i take it down the road and it starts overheating and majorly smoking white everywhere, i turn around go home and smoke rolls out the engine. I first check the radiator and its basically empty, i add more fluid and i realize it is just pouring out the bottom of the truck. Whats wrong? Need help and advice.

 

well you need to find out where its coming from. it sounds like you didnt re- assemble something right, maybe for got to tighten a hose back down or something. do you have a coolant system pressure tester?

 

seems to be coming from the back top of the engine, somewhere around there. maybe the back of the lower intake gasket? idk. no coolant system tester.

 

also noticed oil pressure gauge is down on low side now.

 

i guess im just not real sure what to do, dont really have time to take apart again but i need it to drive obviously.

 

you could have got a wire pinched between the heads and the intake... ive seen that happen on a 4.3 blazer

 

that woulda caused all my antifreeze to leak out?

 

yea if the gasket didnt seal

 

ok so finally got it all back together no leaks this time, but oil pressure gauge is on the low side and check gauge is on. any ideas?

 

Sounds like you didnt use RTV in the corners of the intake gaskets. also sounds like you may have oil in the coolant. Change the oil and see if coolant comes out as soon as you remove the drain plug. If the oil pressure does not return after changing the oil, put a manual gauge on it and see what the pressure is. you may have wiped the oil pump or a bearing

 

i laid rtv pretty heavily on the corners, i will try changing the oil and see what happens.

 

what would be affected by low oil pressure?

 

your lifters would not be pumped all the way up, your cam bearings could not have adequate lubrication, the top end of your motor may be starved of oil. change oil and get a gauge on it

 

ok changed oil, looked pretty normal, i dont have a gauge, can i buy one cheap? where do i connect it at?

 

rent one from an auto parts store..it connects where the oil pressure sending unit is. drivers front of the motor

 

ok its down in the lower intake manifold?

 

no its lower on the block....behind the power steering pump

 

and what exactly do i need to get? is there an oil pressure gauge checker?

 

you unscrew the sending unit and the hose from the gauge screws in

 

ok. thanks for help. ill post up results when i can get to it.

 

upon quick look i cant find it, ill have to wait till daylight tomorrow cuz its gettin darker.

 

found that the wire to the sending unit was unplugged, must have tugged on it when i was pulling wiring around, plugged back in and it was read normal.

 

good to hear. keep en eye on the coolant level and oil level for a while to make sure everything is ok

 

will do. would that have caused any damage by having that unplugged? it just goes to the gauge correct?

 

it operates the gauge and the light. no damage was done by it being unplugged