00 xls help needed!

[xlsguy]

this being my first post id like to say hello all

now down to it.
My 2000 explorer xls with a 4.0 in it has been having alot of problems lately.
The current problem is it seems to be missing, there was no coolent in the resivoir and apon looking at the block there seems to be fresh blow-by.
My girlfriend's car is down at the moment so she has been driving about 2800 miles a month on this old girl. its got 160k miles on it.
Could this be a simple plug swap? or might i be in for the long haul here?

thanks for the help guys and gals

 

[Joe Dirt]

Well, I would say that if you're missing an entire reservoir full of coolant and you've got issues visible with the block, plugs aren't going to fix that... The miss maybe, but there are other issues too.

What does "fresh blow by" mean exactly? Oil? Coolant? Do you have a picture of what you're seeing that you could post up?

 

[xlsguy]

Well, I would say that if you're missing an entire reservoir full of coolant and you've got issues visible with the block, plugs aren't going to fix that... The miss maybe, but there are other issues too.

What does "fresh blow by" mean exactly? Oil? Coolant? Do you have a picture of what you're seeing that you could post up?

when i said fresh blow-by i ment oil and the reservoir was empty, i refilled it, took the explorer for about a 1.5-2 mile drive and it seems to be about where i filled it to. It still is missing and it chugs until i get up to speed in a specified gear, also has a unique smell of maby unburnt fuel and antifreeze when warming it up in my garage. Also around 1200-2000 rpms while just cruzing im hearing sort of a slapping noise.
this is the ohv engine if that makes a difference.
thanks `john

 

[Joe Dirt]

Ah ok- I thought you meant the coolant overflow reservoir.

If you're getting a fuel smell, I would check the furl pressure regulator, and test the fuel pressure at the rail. The antifreeze could be a leaking radiator seam, see if you can find some dried crusty coolant to give you an idea of where it's leaking.

The OHV does like to tick somewhat at higher mileage, as things wear out.
FIND just posted this writeup... CLICK

If the plugs and wires haven't been changed yet, that needs to happen- Motorcraft or Autolite plugs only, preferably Motorcraft wires.