Ford Repair: 1997 RANGER 4.0, blown head gasket, air intake system

Question
THE ENGINE IN MY RANGER BLOWS STEAM OUT OF THE EXHAUST AND HAS WATER IN THE THROTTLE BODY/ AIR INTAKE SYSTEM. IS THIS THE RESULT OF A CRACKED HEAD OR BLOWN HEAD GASKET????

Answer
Nearly impossible to tell without tearing down the top end, removing the head. The gasket is gone for certain. You will need to take the head to a machine shop to have it examined. My advice, get a salvage engine. Once one runs hot, you have probably damaged the piston rings as well. It wouldn't take long for the bottom end to go out after spending a sum of money repairing the top end. However, if you are confident that the engine never got hot enough to cook the rings, replace the head and gasket. Call your local advance auto, they have extremely reasonable rates on good salvage parts that come with a warranty. Or, you could go the Jasper route. One last question, is it the OHV or OHC engine?


Note: I just recently purchased a 97 Explorer and 2 weeks later, a main rod bearing started making noise. It is the push rod engine not the OHC, so I can easily refer you to the car lot with the engine. I know for a fact that they still have it.