I have a 2000 ranger with the 4.0 ohv i believe and recently i caught the temp gauge climb like a rocket. also the heat is in sync with the temp. Temp goes up, heat goes cold. Luckly i was very close to home so i let it cool off then drove home. ive let it sit and started to research what could be wrong. I think its a head gasket with my oil being a chocolate milk color and any coolant i put into my radiator soon disappearing. Any help is appreciated and procedures to replacing a head gasket would be awesome. Thanks

 

Welcome to the forum

Yes, if oil level is high and color is "chocolate milk", then likely head gasket has blown

Not a hard repair, allow 8-10 hours
Take lots of pictures as you remove wires and VACUUM HOSES
Wires have connectors that need to match up so easier to find where they go
Vacuum hoses on the other hand fit every other vacuum hose spot for the most part, lol.

You can get a head gasket kit, it will have all needed gaskets
You also need a new set of head bolts, they are not reuseable

Its best to have the heads cleaned, pressure tested and surfaced at a machine shop
The 4.0l OHV heads can crack between valve seats when over heated, be a shame to put in new head gaskets and then find out problem is not solved

Its really just wrench work no special knowledge is needed, torque wrench is needed

Replace thermostat and of course oil and coolant

I wouldn't worry about flushing the oil system.
You can just use straight water in the engine for a few days, above freezing temps!
Check for leaks, then if none show up, drain water and refill with 50/50 coolant mix

 

Thanks for the advice. I've never done a head gasket before I might have a shop look at it as I'm in school and have work .

 

So parts plus labor, shop should be no more than 8 hours labor, 6 hours would be more like it, assuming they know what they are doing and have air tools
Most DIYers spend an hour or TWO just getting rusted exhaust manifolds off, lol.

 

Yea I'm sure my exhaust wouldn't come off without a lot of encouragement!