Hey again. I recently bought a 1991 T4R with 179,000 miles. It was running great for the most part when I first got it but now it is starting to slowly give me issues. From what I've been reading these models have had a lot of issues with the head gaskets. What are the symptoms of a leaking or blown head gasket? It has been leaking some sort of fluid in the front in little drips but it has gotten worse recently. At first I thought it was power steering fluid but I opened the reservoir and it was full and the steering isnt getting heavy. I think it may be coolant because today the engine started heating up gradually. It didnt fully overheat but it probably would have if I had let it idle sitting still. I would really appreciate any help with this and any possible solutions.
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the_dingman
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#1 sign of a blown head gasket is milky oil. Check your dipstick and oil filler cap.
If you're leaking coolant externally, it's not likely a head gasket. Head gasket problems are usually internal leaks, most commonly oil and coolant mixing, otherwise burning coolant or oil.
Keep an eye on all your fluid levels. Remember that each fluid is pretty distinct. Coolant will be bright colored (usually neon green) and is similar in consistency to water. Oil will be black and thick. Power steering fluid, brake fluid or clutch fluid (same as brake fluid) will be thin and very slippery, and brown in color.
Again, external leaks are usually not head gaskets, and are likely other issues. I've dealt with coolant leaks from water pumps, brake fluid leaks from lines, and coolant leaks from loose hoses. Not all leaks are hard to fix. On a truck that old, it's not uncommon to happen.
If you're leaking coolant externally, it's not likely a head gasket. Head gasket problems are usually internal leaks, most commonly oil and coolant mixing, otherwise burning coolant or oil.
Keep an eye on all your fluid levels. Remember that each fluid is pretty distinct. Coolant will be bright colored (usually neon green) and is similar in consistency to water. Oil will be black and thick. Power steering fluid, brake fluid or clutch fluid (same as brake fluid) will be thin and very slippery, and brown in color.
Again, external leaks are usually not head gaskets, and are likely other issues. I've dealt with coolant leaks from water pumps, brake fluid leaks from lines, and coolant leaks from loose hoses. Not all leaks are hard to fix. On a truck that old, it's not uncommon to happen.
the_dingman
New member
fourwd1 said:
I was saying it could be either power steering fluid OR brake fluid, them pointing out that clutch fluid is brake fluid. Not that power steering fluid was brake fluid.
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