Ford Ranger Coolant problems

[LiamKealy]

Hi I'm running a 2008 Ford Ranger, with the 16v engine. I'm having a problem with loss of coolant. The local garage has done all the relevant pressure tests but can't find any issues. The EGR valve had previously been bypassed as they are a apparently a problem. I sometimes get excessive white exhaust smoke.

 

At the moment I'm checking coolant levels daily and topping up if needed. I've heard that this is not an uncommon roblem with this engine and wondered if anyone else has experienced it and how you sorted it.

[TimberCutterDartmoor]

Do a combustion leak block test with the correct 4x sensitive pink fluid for diesels. This will rule out or confirm head gasket; cylinder to water jacket breach. White smoke may be steam. Does the coolant system pressurise a lot?

[openspaceman]

Do a combustion leak block test with the correct 4x sensitive pink fluid for diesels. This will rule out or confirm head gasket; cylinder to water jacket breach. White smoke may be steam. Does the coolant system pressurise a lot?

 

What he said but I just used the fluid that came with the sealey kit, tell me more about the more sensitive stuff.

 

On a 2009 ranger we replaced a head at 120k miles and it went again at 230k so it was sold on for export.

[TimberCutterDartmoor]

What he said but I just used the fluid that came with the sealey kit, tell me more about the more sensitive stuff.

 

On a 2009 ranger we replaced a head at 120k miles and it went again at 230k so it was sold on for export.

 

Yes that sealey kit should come with standard and sensitive for diesels fluid. The latter since diesel doesn't contain the uhc that the test fluid changes colour with. The pink stuff from Dr Headgasket Ive used... Sykes cheaper but only one fluid. Using the standard juice for a CI maY produce false negatives.

[dent]

Another test is to pull the lid and pipe off the expansion bottle and put the pipe in a pint of water to see if it produces bubbles you nay have to wait a while like a couple of mins but if its a cracked head they will start to appear

[TimberCutterDartmoor]

Another test is to pull the lid and pipe off the expansion bottle and put the pipe in a pint of water to see if it produces bubbles you nay have to wait a while like a couple of mins but if its a cracked head they will start to appear

 

I think a dodgy water pump will do that too; either where the impeller has come loose on the shaft or where the seal has gone and pulls air in on the vac side of the casing, or the shaft bearing / seal goes and does the same.

[LiamKealy]

Hi lads, thanks for that advice. My truck is currently having the head tested. I'm waiting to hear the results.

[TimberCutterDartmoor]

Rather than replacing the heater core...