help not sure

[cmudder]

i have a 97 4x4, 4.0 SOHC and was wandering if it was easier to change the engine or change the head gasket i talked to a mechanic and he said its easier to do a engine swap. Just wanted to ask around before i started looking for a newer engine. im almost positive that its the head gasket water in the oil and i see a drip out of the exhaust. only good thing is the engine hasent overheated since ive had it ( month or two )

 

[IZwack]

Water dripping from the exhaust tip is normal in most vehicles.

I would double check to make sure the head gasket is leaking. One way to check is, with the engine cold from overnight:
- remove the cap from the coolant reservoir
- verify that the coolant reservoir is not empty
- have someone start the engine and watch for any bubbles in the coolant reservoir.

Edit -- thread moved to "Stock 1995 - 2001 Explorers" section.

 

[cmudder]

any help would be appreciated

 

[budwich]

"easy" is relative... relative to your pocket book and other things. Anyways, before you go anywhere, I would get a bit more "confirmation" that you have a head gasket problem. "water in oil" and "drip in the exhaust"... when put that way, don't necessarily sound like a problem. First, "water in oil" is "normal" depending on how much the vehicle is driven and for how long a period.... if the vehicle doesn't get "hot enough" condensation will show up in the oil... normal. "Drip in the exhaust" is the same. Are you losing antifreeze??? Are you having overheating problems???? Other issues???? Ultimately, with the problems of a SOHC with things like timing chains issues, a "new / rebuilt" drop-in might be better than a "piecemeal" worked on existing engine... but it depends... mileage, history, pocketbook, future plans (keeping vehicle).

 

[Hoppy]

When you stomp on the gas pedal during heavy accelleration, do you get alot of white smoke, or exhaust that looks like steam coming out of the tail pipe? If so, you are burning coolant. That would compliment budwich's reply asking about coolant loss. Does the oil look milky? Such as chocolate milk with bubbles in it? That would mean there is coolant in your oil and your bearings will probably fail shortly in the lower end of your engine.

 

[zippee]

It's not that hard to change heads, but if I were going to do it on this vehicle I'd pull the motor. You'll have to pull and replace the timing chain and I wouldn't try to do that in vehicle. You'll also need the cam tool.

I'd also question whether you have a head/gasket problem. Warm up the motor, then attach a coolant system tester to the radiator, apply some pressure. If you have a problem it will show up with a jumping pressure gauge on your tester.

The thermostat housing is plastic and comes as a completed assembly and includes sending units. Mine developed a leak and coolant flowed along the top of the motor. It's possible that if your motor is doing this some could find it's way into the motor.

I'd agree that Job 1 is diagnosing the problem.

Also, it's not unusual to see water coming out of the tailpipe, small amounts at a time.

 

[cmudder]

well i bought the vehicle about a month ago and the guy told me he thought it had a cracked head gasket. The symptoms are as follows milky oil on top of the oil cap. its not over heating, but the radiator fluid does get low at times its been sitting in my driveway for 2 weeks now and i checked the dipstick (oil) and i see the oil on the dipstick is starting to turn a milky color so i'll change the oil and check the anti freeze today and see what the results are. it does not over heat i drove it 2 hrs back from the car dealer with no problems. But i would like to keep the vehicle for a while to drive around town. As this is not my daily driver so its not that impt. that i get it done this minute but i am looking for ways to troubleshoot this problem and correct it in a timely manner. Cause i plan to change jobs soon. Thank You for your help

 

[Hoppy]

I am going to recommend fixing the problem right away before you loose your lower end of your engine. Coolant and babbit crankshaft and connecting rod bearings do not get along. Coolant starts pitting the bearings. If I were you, I would fix that coolant leak as soon as possible. Cheaper to do it now then having to buy a new engine or rebuilding yours, no matter if it is not a daily driver or not.

Your first post mentioned that your mechanic said it was easier to do an engine swap. He did not mention that it is cheaper to do it that way. I don't know off hand how much a new engine is, but I am sure it is cheaper to buy gaskets and such to replace the heads if the heads are not cracked. You don't have a minor problem on your hands simply put, because no engine means the truck is useless.

Hopefully it is only a head gasket or intake gasket. If you have a cracked head that may prove to be expensive to buy a new one or reconditioned one or two for that matter.