Something is broken Cracked Head or Cracked Block

[bzack]

Hi Guys,
My 1st post here. The story goes in order to diagnose the problem.

My Brother In Law has this 96 Ford Explorer ("Special Edition" Thats what he says). He lent it to his Girlfriend and she drove it till it died. Now it sits at the workshop. So when i arrived suppose to be the handy knowledgeable guy (thats what i told him) he asked me to check it out as the mechanic said that the engine has cracked and needs to be replaced. Cause: The Girlfriend drove it even after the coolant in the engine dried out. Heat killed the car.

So when i went to look at it i first, I put water in the radiator, there were no leaks. Cranked the engine the engine came alive and died in a few minutes of idling. When the engine was cranked againg the engine was spitting out water somewhere close to the front near the radiator hose.

It was a lot of water that was being splattered, not a leak or trickle.

The Oil Sump did not have any water in it. So what i think is that it is only the head. I am not sure what the problem is and 2nd do not have any tools with me here in Dubai, U.A.E. So i do not want to take it as a couple of weekend job to a impossible task.

So i am see sawing between letting the Mechanic do a full engine replacement with a 2nd hand working engine costing us something like $2000 to me doing it.

Any feedback is appreciated.

1st is it cracked head, piston, Valve, Head

Please help

 

[briwayjones]

Welcome! I'm not an expert but a cracked block is probably unlikely. It most surely has a blown head gasket and cracked heads. And while you're in there you probably might as well replace the valves. Someone more knowledgeable should chime in. I would make a post in the 2nd gen Explorer section. More people are likely to see it that can help you.

 

[bzack]

Thanks

Welcome! I'm not an expert but a cracked block is probably unlikely. It most surely has a blown head gasket and cracked heads. And while you're in there you probably might as well replace the valves. Someone more knowledgeable should chime in. I would make a post in the 2nd gen Explorer section. More people are likely to see it that can help you.

I am trying to find someone with more experience.

 

[Dopler174]

The fact that is started running is a good sign. A cracked block is not likely. It does sound like top end issues like the heads are cracked, however, without knowing where the leak is comming from I can't realy tell you where to start.