00 Ranger 4.0 liter coolant in the oil and oozing from air intake

[judogi]

Hi all, first timer here. Fairly handy, know my way around Fords, don't feel like tackling this during the winter. I'd like to take this into the shop as armed and informed as I can be. Any help/suggestions would be greatly appreciated.

00 Ranger, 4 liter V6. 70K miles. Earlier this year had an overheating problem. Changed the thermostat, no longer a problem. Then a day before thanksgiving, after a fresh oil change mind you, in the matter of an hour, had another overheating issue. This time the check engine light came on after about a minute of driving with the guage way past H. Also noticed I no longer had heat.

Made it home, discovered I had no coolant in the resevoir. Feared a coolant leak/heater core leak (never smelled coolant in the cab), I dumped a couple of gallons of anitfreeze in there. Engine turned over, I let it idle to see how fast I was losing coolant. After 10 minutes all the coolant was gone. Checked the oil, it was milky tan of course. Also noticed something strange coming out of my air intake. Popped that open and I could see coolant oozing back up through my air intake, right onto the air filter! Also heard a strange hissing sound, prayed it wasn't a vacuum leak.

Engine will turn over but won't idle--it immediately shuts off. I'm now fearing a head gasket. Basically I wanted to see if anyone has had a similar situation, or if you know what I could eliminate, what's my first step in getting this fixed, or at least what to dispute when the mechanic hands me the verdict. Best case scenario, worst case scenario.

Again, any help would be greatly appreciated. Happy holidays to all.

Joe

 

[ThePhoenix]

sounds like a head gasket to me...thats the only way coolant can reach intake stuff IMO...but I will let other answer...;.

 

[Tbars4]

...x2, at least thats what i'm hoping...otherwise something cracked from driving it while it was past hot...

 

[rmcknight]

i would bet on cracket head - to go through that much water you have a big leak.
removal of either head on the sohc will require re-timing of the cams on both sides and probably going to cost between $1000 & $2000. A replacement engine will probably be less and thats a job you may be able to do yourself or with frends and have some fun with it.
if you need help on either option, pm me and ill give you a link that steps you through the entire process.

 

[vroomzoomboom]

that sounds like the same thing my buddy's dad's car was doing. he had 5, yes 5 motors replaced under warranty. until they figured out that the intake had a crack in it. i'm not saying that is the same problem you have, but it sounds almost identical

 

[Rosscup]

sounds like a head gasket or cracked head eather or.