2000 4.0L OHV ... Bad Head Gasket or Cracked Head

[SupaSwope]

So I bought a super basic 2000 Ford Explorer for $350

So the biggest issue with this vehicle is like I said in the tittle a coolant leak. I don't know where its at in the engine, But I do know there is coolant in the oil and probably the cylinder. The vehicle does run and I am going to share some video with you to help you, help me maybeee figure out the issue. I will be taking it to a show for this repair more then likely.


So I took some video of me starting up the vehicle reeving it, and running the AC. The point of these videos was to show what the engine does during and after.

First Video: Startup


Second Video: Startup 2nd Angle


Thrid Video: Afterwards, the Noises and Oil color. Notice the sound of water like liquid moving around in the engine.


So yeah, Any and all help would be great. Thanks Guys!

 

[corkey]

coolant in the engine is most likely a head gasket or cracked head,, it's common for these engines to do this,, probably passenger side middle cylinder,, pull the plugs and see what one has all the syrup on the electrode,, and Bobs your uncle,, start there,,,

 

[lobo411]

Like corkey said...head gasket, cracked head, or cracked block. In the end, the process is the same: pull the heads, inspect the head gaskets (and hope they're obviously blown...better to replace a gasket than a block), have the heads tested at a machine shop for cracks and warping, and replace the gaskets.

The only other places where coolant and oil are in close proximity are the lower intake manifold and the timing chain cover, but those always (at least IME) leak externally.

 

[jd4242]

Is oil in the water also??like in the radiator? ? Or is water just in the oil??

Check plugs and do a compression test

 

[96eb96]

I love the simplicity of that truck! And the change holder where it is!
Compression test or rent the coolant pressure tester from autozone.
Head gasket is a straightfoward job on this engine, and you are also replacing the lower intake manifold gasket which is prone to leaking. There is no bracket on the passenger side from the coil like earlier ones have and I don't see an EGR like mine(not sure). So the job is real easy, almost like a lawnmower engine! No timing or special tools.

4.0 OHV is a good motor.

 

[lobo411]

Actually, it sounds like the 2000+ 4.0 OHV has an EGR...and it's way harder to remove than it is on our pre-2000 engines. I guess that's called "progress!"

http://www.explorerforum.com/forums...emove-egr-tube-to-remove-upper-intake.145716/

 

[jd4242]

Actually, it sounds like the 2000+ 4.0 OHV has an EGR...and it's way harder to remove than it is on our pre-2000 engines. I guess that's called "progress!"

http://www.explorerforum.com/forums...emove-egr-tube-to-remove-upper-intake.145716/

Anything explorer ""should"" have EGR 94 and up

 

[Runnin'OnEmpty]

Generally a bad headgasket or cracked head will show combustion residue in the coolant/reservoir.
A bad lower intake gasket will flow coolant into the oil, and if it's at an inner cylinder there won't be
evidence of coolant running down the block. You'll just have to start tearing into it to see how far you'll
need to go. You'll get to the LIM gasket first, so hopefully that's the culprit...

 

[jd4242]

Generally a bad headgasket or cracked head will show combustion residue in the coolant/reservoir.
A bad lower intake gasket will flow coolant into the oil, and if it's at an inner cylinder there won't be
evidence of coolant running down the block. You'll just have to start tearing into it to see how far you'll
need to go. You'll get to the LIM gasket first, so hopefully that's the culprit...

Why i asked where the oil was..will give you an idea of what needs to be torn down..might not be as bas as he thinks..98+ heads dont ""normally"" crack and dont ""normally"" blow head gaskets unless over heated. .

 

[SupaSwope]

So this 4.0L OHV DOES have EGR.​

So the things I do know:

• Coolant in the Oil
• Burning Coolant (White Smoke out of Tail Pipe)

Things I don't know:

• I don't know if there is oil or combustion residue in the coolant. (Coolant to low)

So here is my take on some of the information I have seen to start to fix the problem.

1.Remove the Plugs and inspect them.
2.Compression Test
3. Drain System of Coolant
4. Drain Engine of Oil
5. Start Tear Down?
6.Inspect Gaskets and Manifold/Heads?​

Is there anything I should be looking for that might be hard to spot or just in general? I have never torn down an engine before. This will be my first time.

 

[Stick4503]

I have done this twice this year on my 4.0 shoc. First get all the right tools.
1. A case or two of beer.
2. A radio to listen to, it gets boring looking at that engine for hours.
3. Rent a combustion gas tested. Test for gas in radiator. Cheap.
4. Sharpee and zipper bags. You will forget where all those bolts go.
5. Camera or camera phone. Take lots of pictures.
6. More beer
7. Have fun with it. It's an adult sized model. Take your time.
8. Repair manual or at least find a web site with all the torque specs and sequences.

 

[SupaSwope]

So what if there is gas in the radiator then what? And how would it get there? What should I do etc etc.

 

[jd4242]

Add some water to the radiator, the oil will come to top..also the cap and neck would have milkshake all over it..

Without oil in the water i would think lower intake leak..water gets in oil and intake runners but oil doesnt ""normally"" get in the water..normally is key word

 

[Stick4503]

If you test for and find exhaust gas in your coolant then you definitely have a head or gasket problem. Water in the oil can be from other areas as well. But exhaust gas would confirm head or head gasket. Could be a cracked block but that would take some abuse. It's just an easy test that does not require the removal of anything other than your radiator cap. Search how to diagnose a bad head gasket. Several test can be done before you tear into it.
Test for exhaust gas in coolant.
Compression test
Leak down test
Look for oil, coolant or rust on your spark plugs
Use a small hose to suck potential coolant out of each cylinder by way of spark plug hole.
Don't run the engine anymore than you have to with that watered oil you will kill you engine bearings

 

[SupaSwope]

So this weekend I have decided to brake down the top part of the engine this weekend. I am going to take it down to the long block basically. Upper Intake, Lower Intake, Valve Covers, Cylinder Heads, and plan on replacing all the gaskets for those parts and hope to solve the problem. I am going to skip the whole testing and see what I find when I am in there. Really hoping I won't find a cracked head or block. But as you can see in the video I am not losing any power. So here is hope to just a gasket.

Any last minute advice? I know this motors pretty basic and got the full workshop manual on my computer and the haynes manual. So I got plunny of info. This is my first time doing anything like this, I know to label all my connectors, take lots of pictures, have a table to lay everything on neatly, baggie and label all bolts, Anything else I am missing? Thanks for the help guys.

 

[jd4242]

Get the blue super duty felpro head gaskets and perma flex valve cover gaskets.

The head gaskets arn't sold in a kit and will have SD at end of part number..the felpro upper kit should have all the correct perma gaskets . .

Also check your rocker tips and pushrods for wear,now would be good time to replace them if starting to wear out

Dont forget head bolts and retighten your lower manifold bolts if you can after some miles..

 

[SupaSwope]

Thank you sir, very helpful