The Project

This is my brother's 1999 Ford Ranger. Its a 4 cylinder, 2.5L, with a 5 speed manuel transmission. As you can see, it got into a little fender bender. The accident caused the upper radiator hose to crack, leaking coolant and allowing the engine to overheat. I replaced the radiator hose, refilled the coolant, but the engine still overheats.

I've had a couple people listen to the engine and the consensus is that I've blown a head gasket.

 My Mission: Confirm the diagnosis by removing the head and checking the gasket. If the head gasket don't turn out to be the problem, then I have to find out what is.

...and FIX IT!!

A Couple Useful Acronyms

I'm thrilled that I'm learning so much important information in my automotive classes.

C:racked
H:eads
E:very
V:alve
R:attles
O:rings
L:eak(ing)
E:xhaust
T:ube

T:ake
O:ff
Y:our
O:versized
T:ires
A:sshole

F:armers
O:nly
R:eason to
D:rink

J:ust
E:mpty
E:very
P:ocket

F:ix
I:t
A:gain,
T:ony

P:oor
O:ld
N:inny
T:hinks
I:ts
A:
C:adillac

G:overnment
M:otors

Special thanks to the guys from AC/Heating, for these little gems!

Intake Manifold? Timing Belt? Catalytic Converter?

    It has been a constant source of frusteration for me that I never learned about automobiles as a kid.

    For as long as I can remember I've wanted to know how a vehicle works, what its components are, how to diagnose problems and above all how to fix them.

    I knew, just from the few times that I helped change sparkplugs and air filters, that I loved turning wrenches, but I couldn't exactly mechanic on a car when I had NO CLUE how they worked or what their parts were called.

    When people spewed off terms like turbo charger, main bearing and rocker arm, It was like hearing a foreign language and when they tried to explain, it just confused me more.

    Several of my friends can pop the hood and start wrenching on a car or truck like they were born with a 5/8 socket in their hand. It drives me crazy.

    This year I decided to do something about it. I enrolled in an A.S. program with an emphasis in Auto Mechanics. Hopefully by the time I complete my degree I can be the one who seems like she was born with a 5/8 socket in her hand.