Hey what's up ya'll?

I just got a couple questions for ya'll. My truck is a 1994 3.0, 5-speed, ext cab. It has 270,000 miles on it and has only given me minimal problems.

Today I was attempting to top off my coolant, waiting for the thermostat opened and once it finally did the coolant level went down for about 6-7 seconds and then came literally projecting out of the top of the radiator where the cap should have been. It projected for about 2-3 seconds and then stopped and the fluid level in the radiator went right back down afterwards and then was down low again for another 6-7 seconds before again projecting. This incident was repeated probably another 3 times or so before I just put the radiator cap back on. I turned the truck off and did some research while I waited for my mechanic buddy to call me. I talked to him and both he and another mechanic both think that it's probably my head. Any suggestions on what else it could possibly be would be greatly appreciated.

Now I know that I can get a tool to test and see if the head is holding pressure. Unfortunately for me, I am living in Orlando with my brother for the summer and have very limited tools. So my first question is, how hard would it be for me to do this myself(a guy who knows a decent amount about mechanics and engines) with the limited tools that I have? And then a follow up question to that would be how much would it cost me to get the head gasket replaced at a shop?

Thank ya'll so much! Any help would be greatly appreciated it! And let me know if ya'll have any question at all. I know almost everything there is to know about my truck so I can answer pretty much any questions you guys have!

Joe

 

I work at a Ford dealership in Indiana. I'm only the clean-up guy there, but have learned quite a bit in the last 3 years mechanically. My head gasket leaks on an '89 2.9L. I'm going to ask this next week about prices/labor costs for it. 125k miles on it, and would love to run it as long as yours! :)
I hope to do it myself, but will have to teach myself as I go.

 

That's awesome man. If you have any questions let me know, I love helping people especially with Rangers. I can usually answer most of the questions about Rangers, this head gasket is just something new for me. I've done a crap ton of work on my Ranger over the past couple years, I am absolutely obsessed with it. Here's a video my ever-trying-to-help girlfriend sent to me about the gasket. It doesn't go into great detail but it gives you the general overview of it, hope it can help! Let me know what questions you have, like I said! Happy to help my man.

 

Forgot to post the link haha my bad. Here it is.