Need help diagnosing before I spend the money.
04-09-2014, 01:42 AM
#1
Member
Thread Starter
Need help diagnosing before I spend the money.
Here's what I got.
1998 f150 2wd 4.6 v8 Romeo.
Problem:
So heres the issue:
Its spewing coolant from the resivior tank and the coolant smells like theres fuel vapors in it. I changed the radiator, thermo, water pump, fan clutch, and did a coolant flush. No help on that. Then the darn temp gauge went from cold to warm to to hot back to warm. So im stumped. And to top it off, the old thermo in it was cut in a way to keep the flow continuous, I got rid of the old one.
And if the truck is idling or warming up, theres no issues. It only leaks after its been driven and stoped.
Could it be or is it the HEAD GASKET.
Any advice on the action needed and a price range?
If there is any local help willing to help, we can discuss that too.
1998 f150 2wd 4.6 v8 Romeo.
Problem:
So heres the issue:
Its spewing coolant from the resivior tank and the coolant smells like theres fuel vapors in it. I changed the radiator, thermo, water pump, fan clutch, and did a coolant flush. No help on that. Then the darn temp gauge went from cold to warm to to hot back to warm. So im stumped. And to top it off, the old thermo in it was cut in a way to keep the flow continuous, I got rid of the old one.
And if the truck is idling or warming up, theres no issues. It only leaks after its been driven and stoped.
Could it be or is it the HEAD GASKET.
Any advice on the action needed and a price range?
If there is any local help willing to help, we can discuss that too.
04-10-2014, 11:36 AM
#5
Head gasket is a likely suspect. Pull the spark plugs and inspect them. If you're pulling coolant into a cylinder you'll see it on a plug.
Are you blowing steam out of the exhaust?
How many miles on the truck?
Price for repair? I don't know. There are timing chains, camshafts, exhaust headers to deal with if you have both sides done, and you might as well.
First thing I might try, and I've never been into one of these engines, is to torque the cylinder head down after you find which bank it is and see if the problem changes.
Weekender
Are you blowing steam out of the exhaust?
How many miles on the truck?
Price for repair? I don't know. There are timing chains, camshafts, exhaust headers to deal with if you have both sides done, and you might as well.
First thing I might try, and I've never been into one of these engines, is to torque the cylinder head down after you find which bank it is and see if the problem changes.
Weekender
04-10-2014, 12:01 PM
#6
Member
Thread Starter
Head gasket is a likely suspect. Pull the spark plugs and inspect them. If you're pulling coolant into a cylinder you'll see it on a plug.
Are you blowing steam out of the exhaust?
How many miles on the truck?
Price for repair? I don't know. There are timing chains, camshafts, exhaust headers to deal with if you have both sides done, and you might as well.
First thing I might try, and I've never been into one of these engines, is to torque the cylinder head down after you find which bank it is and see if the problem changes.
Weekender
Are you blowing steam out of the exhaust?
How many miles on the truck?
Price for repair? I don't know. There are timing chains, camshafts, exhaust headers to deal with if you have both sides done, and you might as well.
First thing I might try, and I've never been into one of these engines, is to torque the cylinder head down after you find which bank it is and see if the problem changes.
Weekender
Trending Topics
04-10-2014, 02:01 PM
#9
04-11-2014, 09:02 AM
#10
Senior Member
If you suspect a head gasket failure, have a hydrocarbon test done of your coolant, or get a hydrocarbon test kit from autozone or some other parts store, and run the test yourself.