Head gasket on a 92 Explorer XLT

[explorer76]

I have a 92 Explorer XLT and while driving home tonight, I started hearing a clattering noise under the hood and had to start slowing down enough to turn on my hazard lights. I was only a few blocks from home, so once i got home, I parked. I got my roommate and we opened the hood, and towards the passenger side of the engine, it was smokin a lil and smelled kinda like something was burning. He looked around a lil bit and thinks I am have blown a head gasket. We are gonna look more into it tomm when we have some daylight.
Does anyone know if this is what it could be? Anyone know the symptoms of a blown head gasket? Please help. Thanks

 

[snoborder42]

if you had a blown head gasket u would know it. There would be an extreme lack of power if the engine runs at all. My explorer always smells like something buring, but i have an oil leak and it gets on the exhaust manifolds and smokes a little too. This could be your problem but it could be a bunch of other things too.

 

[Creager]

eaither what he said or your lower intake manifold is comming loose

this is a common problem with our 91-92 explorers... From what i understand ford didnt put a gasket between the exhaust manifolds and the heads. and at times, when the lower intake is loose, coolent will leak out onto the manifolds (or down the manifolds) and cause smoke and smell. usually will knock out your O2 sensor after a while and cause the check engine light to come on.

 

[elkhunter]

Is there steam coming from the exhaust and is your radiater still full? Does the oil look milky?

 

[explorer76]

head gasket on a 92 explorer

Exhaust is normal, radiator is still full, and oil is fine, no water or anything

 

[explorer76]

ok, got water/anti freeze in the spark plus, so i went and got a full gasket set and goign to replace everything and see what happens.

 

[elkhunter]

When you get the heads off check real close for cracks between the intake and exhaust valves. I had cracks in this area on both heads.

 

[explorer76]

i've been working alot, so i havent had a chance to do much work on the X. The other day we got the intake manifold and valve covers off. Hopefully, i'm off this weekend and we can work on it more. I'll be sure to check the heads up close for cracks.