Mystery Leak
New Member
- Joined
- May 26, 2011
- Messages
- 35
- Reaction score
- 0
- Points
- 0
- Location
- Albany, NY
- Vehicle Year
- 2003
- Make / Model
- Ford
- Engine Size
- 2.3
- Transmission
- Automatic
Mystery's Machine
3.0 DAILY DRIVER
9/5/12 Sold Truck. Parts FOR SALE <click here>
8/25/11 Hazards Out - Replaced Flasher Relay.
8/21/11 Belt Squeal - Replaced Belt and Idlers.
8/18/11 ABS Light (C1230) - Replaced Speed Sensor on Rear Differential.
8/17/11 Radiator Hoses Collapse - Replaced Radiator Cap.
8/13/11 Engine Reassembled and it STARTED UP!!! Serpentine Belt Squeals.
7/23/11 I'm currently in the process of replacing the heads on my 3.0 V6. This is the first time I've ever worked on an engine so there's lots to learn. For now this will be a DAILY DRIVER BUILD as my focus will be on fixing the stock engine. I'll post hints and tips I pickup along the way.
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I'm calling my project 'Water Truck 2' in honor of my last truck which was a 98 F-150 4x2 with 150k miles that I got from the local Water Dept. They put it up for auction on eBay and I ended up putting in the winning bid of $1250.
I only kept it 8 months because I blew out the tranny after getting stuck in mud. I lost 2nd gear and reverse, but still managed to drive it to the junkyard and collect $100.
I got this little gem on the WandAdDigest.com for $500. It's a 1999 Ranger XLT 4x4 with 3.0L Flex Fuel V6, automatic. I'm new to engine repair, so this is going to be my low-cost learning tool.
Problems
Mystery Leak - It was advertised as needing heads or possibly just head gaskets. I spoke to the guy and he said there's a coolant leak. There are no puddles underneath the engine and no coolant in the oil and it's not billowing white smoke. It's also not taking in coolant from the overflow tank either. A mechanic told him to put a rag on the tailpipe and see if it smelled like coolant which it did, so there's some sort of internal leak. Before I drove it, I opened up the radiator and made sure the coolant was topped off. The water temp stayed normal for the trip back. I also had the windows open and heater cranked to max for some added insurance.
176k mi - This engine has seen better days. It runs rough and lacks power. It was a struggle to keep up with traffic. I don't know if it was the engine or the tranny or both. I'm hoping a healthy 3.0 has more power than this one.
ABS Light - it was on for the whole trip.
DTC P0305 - I hooked a scanner up to it and throughout the trip it'd blip P0305 Misfire on Cylinder 5
Intermittent Oil Pressure - I checked the oil level before I left and it was normal. About halfway through the trip, I hit the overdrive lockout button and soon after that, the oil pressure gauge started to spaz out and then flat-lined. I was worried that I lost the oil pump so I pulled over turned the engine off, waited a few minutes and then started it back up. The rest of the way back, it was still spazzy so I kept extra light on the throttle to keep the gauge normal.
Whine - heard a constant whining noise throughout the trip. Not sure what it was.
Body - The cab in great condition with very little rust. The paint is pealing off the front bumper and the rear has nearly disintegrated. The bed got rear-ended on the right side, so it's got a good crunch in it. The tailgate is frozen shut as a result. The handle is broke on one side and the latches seem to be frozen. The fiberglass cap latch is busted too, so it won't shut or lock.
This is where it stands so far. Feel free to make comments and suggestions!
3.0 DAILY DRIVER
9/5/12 Sold Truck. Parts FOR SALE <click here>
8/25/11 Hazards Out - Replaced Flasher Relay.
8/21/11 Belt Squeal - Replaced Belt and Idlers.
8/18/11 ABS Light (C1230) - Replaced Speed Sensor on Rear Differential.
8/17/11 Radiator Hoses Collapse - Replaced Radiator Cap.
8/13/11 Engine Reassembled and it STARTED UP!!! Serpentine Belt Squeals.
7/23/11 I'm currently in the process of replacing the heads on my 3.0 V6. This is the first time I've ever worked on an engine so there's lots to learn. For now this will be a DAILY DRIVER BUILD as my focus will be on fixing the stock engine. I'll post hints and tips I pickup along the way.
----------
History: Water Truck 1
I'm calling my project 'Water Truck 2' in honor of my last truck which was a 98 F-150 4x2 with 150k miles that I got from the local Water Dept. They put it up for auction on eBay and I ended up putting in the winning bid of $1250.
I only kept it 8 months because I blew out the tranny after getting stuck in mud. I lost 2nd gear and reverse, but still managed to drive it to the junkyard and collect $100.
Current Build: Water Truck 2
I got this little gem on the WandAdDigest.com for $500. It's a 1999 Ranger XLT 4x4 with 3.0L Flex Fuel V6, automatic. I'm new to engine repair, so this is going to be my low-cost learning tool.
Problems
Mystery Leak - It was advertised as needing heads or possibly just head gaskets. I spoke to the guy and he said there's a coolant leak. There are no puddles underneath the engine and no coolant in the oil and it's not billowing white smoke. It's also not taking in coolant from the overflow tank either. A mechanic told him to put a rag on the tailpipe and see if it smelled like coolant which it did, so there's some sort of internal leak. Before I drove it, I opened up the radiator and made sure the coolant was topped off. The water temp stayed normal for the trip back. I also had the windows open and heater cranked to max for some added insurance.
176k mi - This engine has seen better days. It runs rough and lacks power. It was a struggle to keep up with traffic. I don't know if it was the engine or the tranny or both. I'm hoping a healthy 3.0 has more power than this one.
ABS Light - it was on for the whole trip.
DTC P0305 - I hooked a scanner up to it and throughout the trip it'd blip P0305 Misfire on Cylinder 5
Intermittent Oil Pressure - I checked the oil level before I left and it was normal. About halfway through the trip, I hit the overdrive lockout button and soon after that, the oil pressure gauge started to spaz out and then flat-lined. I was worried that I lost the oil pump so I pulled over turned the engine off, waited a few minutes and then started it back up. The rest of the way back, it was still spazzy so I kept extra light on the throttle to keep the gauge normal.
Whine - heard a constant whining noise throughout the trip. Not sure what it was.
Body - The cab in great condition with very little rust. The paint is pealing off the front bumper and the rear has nearly disintegrated. The bed got rear-ended on the right side, so it's got a good crunch in it. The tailgate is frozen shut as a result. The handle is broke on one side and the latches seem to be frozen. The fiberglass cap latch is busted too, so it won't shut or lock.
This is where it stands so far. Feel free to make comments and suggestions!
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