95 Ford Ranger 4-cyl Head Gasket Problem?

[DUPEY87]

So I have a 1995 ford ranger. I recently noticed it started losing coolant to the point where i would have to fill it up every 3 or 4 days if i ran the a/c. In addition to that, my heat gauge will never get up to more than half way hot, but it does constantly bounce around. I flushed out my radiator which was heavily corroded and days later the problems with the gauge and the coolant running low persisted. I checked for any leaks in the radiator hoses or the reservoir tank and found nothing. So I ran the engine with the radiator cap off and the radiator fluid runs out which has lead me to believe that i have a blown head gasket. Just trying to find out if my head gasket is for sure the problem, if the head gasket replacement is something I can do myself, or if i can just get some of the stop leak stuff and let it go with that. My oil is not a milky color at all and i have verified there is no coolant in the oil.

 

[RangerX]

Could also be the intake manifold gasket, right at the front corner is a common leak spot.
What size engine are we talkin about here?

 

[DUPEY87]

Its a 4 cylinder. I'm not sure on the liters. 3.0 i think. Also thought it might be helpful to let you know that about 6 months back I replaced the spark plugs and the check engine light came on. Don't know if that had anything to do with it. It's a standard ranger also. Sorry kind of new to repairing my own car. Let me know if there is any other information I can provide. Thx!

 

[RangerX]

I moved your thread to the Ranger section, and clarified the title slightly, to help you get helpful responses.

Looking here, http://www.therangerstation.com/tech_library/4cylinders.html you should have the 2.3 engine, if you have a 95 4-cyl.
I don't know that engine, but I know some other guys will chime in that do!

 

[DUPEY87]

Oh and also wanted to let you know that after I did the coolant flush, which took about an hour and a half, there is still some corrosion in the coolant and so I'm not sure if that is causing the hot/cold meter to bounce around. Any ideas you have would be helpful. Thanks again!

 

[DUPEY87]

New developement it's also shaking a lot for about 5-10 seconds in the morning when it starts and i just went on my lunch break @ work and it shook for like 15-20 seconds before it could stop. Is this a sign that the problem is getting worse? Just trying to see if i can let this go and keep adding coolant for a couple weeks till i get paid.