Glad you got it figured out.

 

I was just thinking what an amazing mechanic you must be to keep this thing running so long, and to deal with such a complicated problem. Good job! I just don't understand how you knew how to take the manifold apart, yet didn't know how to change spark plugs?

 

Toddrick, it wasn't "changing the spark plugs" it was the matter that I had the spark plug wires cris-crossed.

But...I digress. ***BUMP****

I've still got water in my cylinders. Start the truck, white smoke pouring from the exhaust. Water level is dropping. I let it sit a week and its pooled up enough that it won't turn over.

My truck is a 1998. In 2004, she suffered from the famed hydrolock and actually bent a rod. We bought an engine for it. I was a kid at the time, but I want to say I remember "0-mile engine". I'm not sure if that's a brand-new engine from the 2004 assembly line or its a remanufactured engine. I'm not sure if it was a long block or short block. Right now its got the aluminum intake manifold on it. Fast forward to this issue, I called Ford and they don't have any gaskets in stock. I go to O'Reilly's and they have it. They ask me: "was your truck built before 11/98 or after 11/98?". I bought the before 11/98 gaskets, but if I do have a newer engine, could this be the problem? Was there much of a difference between them?

So....did I use the wrong gasket or am I looking at a head gasket issue? Is there a way to rule one or the other out?

 

If what I have read is correct the pre 11/98 gaskets were the ones that were too thin and caused the hydrolock problems. I would say get the newer upgraded one but don't take my word for it. I would research it some more.

I would also check your timing chain gasket as well. Those also caused hydrolock from being to thin and leaking, allowing coolant into the engine.

 

Some parts you are better off to purchase from the Ford dealer and not O'reillys. Gaskets and sensors are a couple that come to mind. Generally speaking the Ford parts counterman will be much more experienced with Ford parts than the Oreilly idiot. Yes we have a whole store full of inexperienced idiots at our nearby O'reillys. Sometimes you get what you pay for. Saving a few bucks on gaskets isn't worth it so go back to the dealer and order the parts.

Former Ford Parts Counterman

Bob

 

I tried calling my Ford dealer, and they did not have it in stock.

Looking at the post-98 gaskets, they are of a different shape and design. The lower intake gasket I pulled off resembled the one I put on. So I'm confident I have the right one, but I'm not sure if that is the cause of the leak.

Still looking for some hints to rule out head gasket or intake gasket. Compression test?

 

Raptor, a compression test wouldn't hurt. If you don't have a single cylinder that is much lower than it's neighbors, then I would suspect either the intake gasket is leaking or it could be a crack in the head. Also if your cooling system isn't being over pressurized it may well be the intake. If the cooling system is being "pumped up" that would be from the head gasket allowing chamber pressure into the cooling system= head gasket. Once the truck is warm and you shut it off them the radiator has more pressure than the cylinder and will allow coolant to leak into the cylinder. If this is the case then it would be the same cylinder with coolant every time.

Hope that makes sense and good luck.

 

Also try other dealerships other than ford. I can get parts cheaper at the dodge dealership than the Ford one. Got my blend door motor for $20 cheaper at the dodge dealer. And yes its a Ford part.

 

jgger, what do you make of this?

Pulled all spark plugs and coolant poured out of cylinder #4 (drivers front). I emptied them, took it around the block and did a compression check. Cylinder #4 was 160. I then hooked up to cylinder #5 and it cranked up to 80...120....160....180...210 then I heard a POP! and the engine actually tried to start! With NO sparkplugs in it and fuel pump disabled! WTH?? Turned it over again and now cylunder 5 is measuring nothing. 0 psi. Put spark plugs back in neighbors #4 and #6 to see if it is leaking into those and it isnt.

 

Wow Raptor IDK.

210 sounds pretty high, is there some kind of pressure blow off on the gage you are using? If so then that could be what the pop was, plus it could be why you aren't getting a reading after that.

As for the motor trying to start without plugs or fuel, if you can harness that you could make millions off that one.

Did you check all the cylinders when you did the compression test? If not then you need to and record the results, then post them.

 

I pulled the head off and took it to a guy in town familiar with 4.2Ls. He pointed out where the water was leaking in via the gasket from the jacket. He then pointed out a crack between the intake and exhaust valve. Evident on all three cylinders. I'm guesstimating the other side is probably cracked as well. As of my typing, I've dumped close to $2,000 in my truck in the past 60 days (tires were a majority) and it hasn't been driven maybe 30 miles since. So $170 for a new head (complete with valves and springs) and I'm putting it back together. I also fudged the power steering, so $50 for a new one -.- I'm hoping this is the last major thing I've got to do on this truck. Its got 415,000 miles on the frame, 300k on the current engine, is 17 years old, has been in 5 wrecks and been used as a daily driver since we bought it in 1997. I think she is on her last legs after this. I might starting looking for a new car next year.

I'll keep this thread updated (pics later on when I get home).

 

 

$110 in gaskets..head is on and torqued down. Florida bugs started attacking me en masse so thats as far as I got. Tomorrow, the new power steering pump goes on and reassembly begins.

 

Head is on



Almost there....



And I'm done.



I will never ever do this again. Biggest pain in the ***. But the truck runs fine. Oil change again tomorrow and coolant flush and I'm not opening that hood again for a LONG...LONG time.

 

QUITTER!

Glad to see you got it, congrats!