RayInStl
Member
- Joined
- February 8, 2016
- Messages
- 13
- Reaction score
- 0
- City, State
- St. Louis, MO
- Year, Model & Trim Level
- 2002 Ford Explorer 4.0
Hey guys. I recently picked up a 2002 Explorer with the 4.0. It had been wrecked but otherwise ran and drove. I replaced the radiator, fan, fan clutch, and water pump (all damaged in the impact). While replacing the water pump, I removed the thermostat housing to give myself room. So I replaced the t-stat housing gasket at that time (I guess I should really call it an o-ring). After filling the reservoir with water to check for leaks, I started the engine to make sure the thermostat was functioning and the housing wasn't leaking.
I didn't find any leaks and things were looking promising. However, I decided to check the oil to make sure things were still looking good. My worst fear. Water in the oil. It wasn't bad at first but the longer the motor ran, the more watery the oil became and so I shut it down.
My first thought was that after the accident, the previous owner had run it with the damaged radiator and overheated it, causing a head gasket leak. But I also know that these 4.0's are prone to intake manifold gasket leaks that cause water to get into the oil as well. The engine purrs like a kitten. Not even so much as a miss. So my initial thought (hope) is the intake manifold gasket.
I don't see any leaks on the outside of the manifold, but I can't see it very well due to how the upper intake overlaps the valve cover. Is there any sort of test or something I can look for that would conclusively say "head gasket" or "intake manifold gasket"? I'm sure the intake has to come off to get at the heads, so I guess I could just start disassembly and see how the gasket looks, but I'd rather know ahead of time.
Thanks!
Ray
I didn't find any leaks and things were looking promising. However, I decided to check the oil to make sure things were still looking good. My worst fear. Water in the oil. It wasn't bad at first but the longer the motor ran, the more watery the oil became and so I shut it down.
My first thought was that after the accident, the previous owner had run it with the damaged radiator and overheated it, causing a head gasket leak. But I also know that these 4.0's are prone to intake manifold gasket leaks that cause water to get into the oil as well. The engine purrs like a kitten. Not even so much as a miss. So my initial thought (hope) is the intake manifold gasket.
I don't see any leaks on the outside of the manifold, but I can't see it very well due to how the upper intake overlaps the valve cover. Is there any sort of test or something I can look for that would conclusively say "head gasket" or "intake manifold gasket"? I'm sure the intake has to come off to get at the heads, so I guess I could just start disassembly and see how the gasket looks, but I'd rather know ahead of time.
Thanks!
Ray