98REDrang
Member
- Joined
- April 7, 2007
- Messages
- 35
- Reaction score
- 0
- City, State
- san ramon, ca
- Year, Model & Trim Level
- 1998 ranger xlt 4X4 ~131k
My fine running 98 ranger 4x4 xlt 4.0 131K was parked in early sept as I hit the road for a few weeks...which turned into months.
So I restart her on dec 24, topped off her tank and did an oil change...60 miles later jerking and shuttering with a code of P0304. after a quick read of the forum topics, a coolant leak seems could be the issue with this 98 4.0 and cyl#4. As it happens in '09 I replaced the O2 senors to get it to pass smog and I was already concerned about coolant leakage fowling the sensors. So here is my dilemma :
-how likely is it a gasket leak in #4 or am I REALLY jumping to conclusions.
-how long will it take to verify that (myself) I MIGHT be able to park it and make it a weekend project- I have never removed the head before and I love the tips/help on this forum... but time is a factor
-how much will it cost an honest mech to find and fix (assuming I can't park it AND its only a gasket replacement). ballpark 200? 500? 1500!!
-I have to get it smog in feb 2011, but cant do that until this is fixed and if this code becomes a gremlin AND the smog turns into a separate issue I am looking at a real money drain- which given that I don't need a 4x4 anymore I think it will be time to pass it on (make me an offer; I have all maintenance rcds) to someone who can use a soon to be rare RANGER 4x4
AND THIS is the best week to buy a car so I have to fig all this out during my vacation this week.
I cant afford to a) just leave it at the shop b) leave in drive way for 2 months while I try to fix on weekends BEFORE trying to smog it and NOT have a car and c) it would kill me to have to trade away to a dealer when I know it would get much love from someone on this board.
I refused to slaughter it during the Gub'mnt (SUV/explorer) clunker crushing- don't plan on seeing seeing any late 90's-02 at the picknpull-... but now
...
So I restart her on dec 24, topped off her tank and did an oil change...60 miles later jerking and shuttering with a code of P0304. after a quick read of the forum topics, a coolant leak seems could be the issue with this 98 4.0 and cyl#4. As it happens in '09 I replaced the O2 senors to get it to pass smog and I was already concerned about coolant leakage fowling the sensors. So here is my dilemma :
-how likely is it a gasket leak in #4 or am I REALLY jumping to conclusions.
-how long will it take to verify that (myself) I MIGHT be able to park it and make it a weekend project- I have never removed the head before and I love the tips/help on this forum... but time is a factor
-how much will it cost an honest mech to find and fix (assuming I can't park it AND its only a gasket replacement). ballpark 200? 500? 1500!!
-I have to get it smog in feb 2011, but cant do that until this is fixed and if this code becomes a gremlin AND the smog turns into a separate issue I am looking at a real money drain- which given that I don't need a 4x4 anymore I think it will be time to pass it on (make me an offer; I have all maintenance rcds) to someone who can use a soon to be rare RANGER 4x4
AND THIS is the best week to buy a car so I have to fig all this out during my vacation this week.
I cant afford to a) just leave it at the shop b) leave in drive way for 2 months while I try to fix on weekends BEFORE trying to smog it and NOT have a car and c) it would kill me to have to trade away to a dealer when I know it would get much love from someone on this board.
I refused to slaughter it during the Gub'mnt (SUV/explorer) clunker crushing- don't plan on seeing seeing any late 90's-02 at the picknpull-... but now
...
