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Ford: coolant leak and rough idle, head gasket problem, coolant leak


Question
Hi i have a 2003 ranger with a 3.0L with 150k it runs great but it has a rough idle. and a coolant leak right front engine area i can not tell if it is the head gasket,front cover or pump.all spark plugs look great.has new plugs & wires.
thank you for your input
RON

Answer
The rough idle may be due to a bad injector.  You can take a long screwdriver and put the tip on the injector and your ear to handle and you should here a ticking sound.  If not the injector may not be firing.  The leak is probably the front cover.  If was a water pump you should be able to see it coming out of the weep hole.  If it was a head gasket problem you would probably be getting water and oil mixing together or it would look like a milk shake machine coming out of the side of your engine.