Bmwz389
Well-Known Member
- Joined
- March 1, 2005
- Messages
- 298
- Reaction score
- 1
- City, State
- Iowa
- Year, Model & Trim Level
- 1992 XLT
Hey everyone!
It's bean YEARS since I've posted on here, but I haven't had an Explorer ince I graduated college. I picked up a 1998 4.0 SOHC recently that had a no start due to a faulty CKPS. $13 later I was on the road bringing it to work to shake it down. I've only done a few small repairs as it was in pretty good shape, and I am an OCD nightmare when it comes to my cars.
Recently I did both timing tensioners due to slight rattle at idle and a goofy starting issue. I replaced both but unfortunately the noise has not gone away. On Saturday, I replaced the front tensioner. What a pain that was to get to with EVERYTHING in the way. I did not remove the upper or lower intake manifolds.I managed to wiggle the thermostat housing out of the way enough to remove the tensioner. Needless to say, I got it installed and took the truck home. On the way home I was blowing smoke but assumed it to be residual coolant on the motor and manifolds. I drove it to work this morning still smoking like crazy. Here's where it gets bad:
I had it on the lift, whole underside is soaked. Now, after 3 hours of deep cleaning the underbody and engine bay (including the manifold valley), I topped off the oil because it was 2 quarts low on oil. I have reduced the leak down to above the bellhousing, at the rear of the left head. I have watched it twice start to run down the bellhousing ridge against the engine block. BUT, because you cannot see practically anything on the back of the engine, even with a flashlight and mirror, I cannot confirm the source of the leak.
It won't start leaking until a few minutes after running, and once it starts leaking it is a STEADY stream of oil. Almost as if you leave the faucet trickling in your sink. I have lost a full quart of oil just diagnosing it in roughly 30 minutes of run time. I can see it start coming down the cylinder head where it meets at the block but cannot see if it originates above the mating area. It appears that it is coming from above there, but no amount of research, Alldata, YouTube videos or anything else can confirm oil leak points in that area.
I am calling upon the collective to help me out, as this is my daily driver and I need it to get to work. Can anybody point me in a good direction so I am not throwing money in the dark, vehicle torn down outside and having to tow it in and out of the shop?
Thanks in advance!
- Brandon
It's bean YEARS since I've posted on here, but I haven't had an Explorer ince I graduated college. I picked up a 1998 4.0 SOHC recently that had a no start due to a faulty CKPS. $13 later I was on the road bringing it to work to shake it down. I've only done a few small repairs as it was in pretty good shape, and I am an OCD nightmare when it comes to my cars.
Recently I did both timing tensioners due to slight rattle at idle and a goofy starting issue. I replaced both but unfortunately the noise has not gone away. On Saturday, I replaced the front tensioner. What a pain that was to get to with EVERYTHING in the way. I did not remove the upper or lower intake manifolds.I managed to wiggle the thermostat housing out of the way enough to remove the tensioner. Needless to say, I got it installed and took the truck home. On the way home I was blowing smoke but assumed it to be residual coolant on the motor and manifolds. I drove it to work this morning still smoking like crazy. Here's where it gets bad:
I had it on the lift, whole underside is soaked. Now, after 3 hours of deep cleaning the underbody and engine bay (including the manifold valley), I topped off the oil because it was 2 quarts low on oil. I have reduced the leak down to above the bellhousing, at the rear of the left head. I have watched it twice start to run down the bellhousing ridge against the engine block. BUT, because you cannot see practically anything on the back of the engine, even with a flashlight and mirror, I cannot confirm the source of the leak.
It won't start leaking until a few minutes after running, and once it starts leaking it is a STEADY stream of oil. Almost as if you leave the faucet trickling in your sink. I have lost a full quart of oil just diagnosing it in roughly 30 minutes of run time. I can see it start coming down the cylinder head where it meets at the block but cannot see if it originates above the mating area. It appears that it is coming from above there, but no amount of research, Alldata, YouTube videos or anything else can confirm oil leak points in that area.
I am calling upon the collective to help me out, as this is my daily driver and I need it to get to work. Can anybody point me in a good direction so I am not throwing money in the dark, vehicle torn down outside and having to tow it in and out of the shop?
Thanks in advance!
- Brandon