I dont know where to begin. In November, my truck began leaking radiator fluid and overheating. Towed into mechanic and told this is a 2K fix, although he replaced spark plug that was getting wet from leak and told truck would die in a month. Truck gets driven very little daily -- 5 miles or less so I began looking for new car still driving the truck. I put water in radiator every day -- if I didnt, it would overheat and when started, white smoke would spew out back. Check engine light was on this whole time. The truck would not start easily. In fact, it appeared to be completely dead every morning I went to start it. I would crank key and push gas pedal at least 20 times and it would finally turn over and start. It did not make any noise at all during this process. I even had battery checked because I thought it was dead -- despite radio and lights working. I didnt want to fill truck up with gas and waste money if it died, but my son convinced me to fill it up. Same day, truck begins to start very easily each and every time I started it. Oh, did I mention that if you drove for a little while (15-20 mins) it would usually start right up when you got back in. Anyway, truck full of gas, starting without incident and all just as suddenly the check engine light goes off. The radiator is not draining of water -- still checking every day and not having to refill at all and no more white smoke. I actually asked my son if the truck could heal itself! LOL! Its so strange.... Now its April and truck just dropped below half full tank of gas and it has begun doing the same thing with not starting without a great deal of effort. My son tested and it shows faulty spark plug -- which was the one replaced when mechanic stated it was getting wet. Thats the only code showing up. My son thinks now it might be the fuel filter or pump. But, what happened with the radiator and smoke and 2K repair? Im ready to salvage the truck because it cant pass smog due to check engine light. Im in CA and they have strict laws about this. Im so confused as to what to do. He wants to try a couple of things, but I do not want to keep putting money into the truck if there is indeed a cracked head gasket or something. Also, and I dont know if this has anything to do with anything , but you guys seem to love all the info one can provide -- the air conditioner is not blowing cold air any longer. Ive enjoyed the truck so much and it has been great for so many reasons -- if I can repair without rebuilding engine, I would do it. Any thoughts or ideas here??? Why would the radiator stop leaking and truck stop smoking? Makes no sense to me. I can deal with the start up problem although its annoying, but I cant continue to drive this truck without current tags and it cant get tags without passing smog test. Can anyone help?

 

You forgot a small detail - which engine do you have?

And what are the exact codes? List by P-number, please.

 

LOL -- ok, if you tell me that one version of this motor actually does heal itself, Im gonna think you're stoned, but here goes....



um, engine is 4.6 and code is 0303

 

Reason I asked - the 1997 4.6 uses old school coil packs and spark plug wires. P0303 is #3 cylinder misfire. This is the 3rd cylinder back on the passenger side. Have you changed that specific plug and wire yet? Even if the cylinder has internal issues, you may be able to stop the misfire long enough to pass your smog.

 

Well, the mechanic replaced that plug -- he said it was getting wet from the leak and
there were signs of rusty water on the plug. Im assuming he changed the wire too or is that something I need to ask him specifically? The check engine light was off after he changed the plug for about 10 minutes after I drove out of the shop. However, that was when the leak was obvious to me and now it seems to have stopped leaking. Do you think I should change the plug again and see what happens or ?? He said there is a crack in the head gasket thus the leak. Four months before all of this, I spent $800 to replace the intake manifold and repair the heater tube. He took the engine apart 4 times and ended up replacing head gasket seals looking for the leak. I thought it was strange that he wouldnt have seen a crack in the head gasket then, but thats a woman's logic and Im not a mechanic. Anyway, I dont want to spend more money replacing spark plugs if there truly is a $2000 repair lurking in the background (head gasket crack?) so this may solve the start up problem, but are you saying you think this is the entire problem? The radiator definitely WAS leaking -- I was putting water in the thing every day. Suddenly it just stopped and I check every day and the level stays pretty much the same and it never overheats anymore. Thus the confusion....