Possible coolant issue and pics of sparkplugs

[21rangerCactus]

So if you look in maintenance you will see I posted a copy of my oil analysis. Intially I was thinking it looked great but then realized my potassium is 22ppm. That could possibly mean a coolant leak/bad head gasket.The oil analysis company didn't say anything about it so maybe I'm over reacting. None the less.. I got a coolant pressure tester.

Before the test I kept an eye on my resevoir. At cold it's at the minimum mark. Full temp it's slightly above the minimum mark. I can not remember where it was at when I first got my Ranger a year ago.

To the test.

I've had it pressurized for hour and a half on a cool engine and the guage hasn't moved. I then took out my plugs to see If there is any wetness to them. There is none. Im hoping I'm worried about nothing.

As far as I can tell the plugs don't look bad for 25k. Good news is my #1 cylinder is clean.. No rust or water residue.

In the pic starting from left is 1,2,3,4.
FYI I'm in the livernois 87tune since 1k.

Link to my oil analysis
https://www.ranger5g.com/forum/threads/2021-ford-ranger-oil-analysis.20459/

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[veedubtuner]

Rusty residue in the "white" area normal?

 

[21rangerCactus]

Rusty residue in the "white" area normal?

Thats a Corona stain. I've seen on many other cars I've worked on.. Not a big concern. My attention is directed to the electrode and Puck.

#2 explains it.
https://www.tirereview.com/five-things-need-know-spark-plugs/

 

[Trigganometry]

Other key elements that you will want to look for are boron, chromium, phosphorus and silicon. All of these elements are associated with antifreeze and, if found in engine oil, can be an indicator that you have a coolant leak.

Potassium is also an indicator of airborne particulate ingression from fly ash or smoke. The fly ash or smoke need not be visible, nor nearby, the only criteria is that the asset is located within the fallout zone. Forest fire smoke frequently migrates hundreds and hundreds of miles and will last for nearly as long as the original fire burned. This form of particulate is small enough to pass through even high-quality particulate breathers.

 

[21rangerCactus]

Other key elements that you will want to look for are boron, chromium, phosphorus and silicon. All of these elements are associated with antifreeze and, if found in engine oil, can be an indicator that you have a coolant leak.

Potassium is also an indicator of airborne particulate ingression from fly ash or smoke. The fly ash or smoke need not be visible, nor nearby, the only criteria is that the asset is located within the fallout zone. Forest fire smoke frequently migrates hundreds and hundreds of miles and will last for nearly as long as the original fire burned. This form of particulate is small enough to pass through even high-quality particulate breathers.

Here is the link to the analysis I posted. There is silicone. I was told that might be due to a newer engine. This sample is from my first oil change. I drained the factory fill at 6k.

https://www.ranger5g.com/forum/threads/2021-ford-ranger-oil-analysis.20459/

 

[OrangeStreak]

Great that you didn't find any rust around your plug areas! Just in case you haven't heard about it an FYI...Ford has deleted an engine cover for some of the later Rangers. Mine didn't come with one so got it because it's supposed to prevent water from getting into the plug wells and creating an expensive rust out nightmare

Engine Cover TSB 21-2147 Warranty Voided | 2019+ Ford Ranger and Raptor Forum (5th Generation) - Ranger5G.com

 

[21rangerCactus]

Great that you didn't find any rust around your plug areas! Just in case you haven't heard about it an FYI...Ford has deleted an engine cover for some of the later Rangers. Mine didn't come with one so got it because it's supposed to prevent water from getting into the plug wells and creating an expensive rust out nightmare

Engine Cover TSB 21-2147 Warranty Voided | 2019+ Ford Ranger and Raptor Forum (5th Generation) - Ranger5G.com

Ya im aware of it. Mine didn't come with a cover. I do park at an incline which might be the reason the water isnt flowing forward to the #1 cylinder.

 

[Jason B]

Great that you didn't find any rust around your plug areas! Just in case you haven't heard about it an FYI...Ford has deleted an engine cover for some of the later Rangers. Mine didn't come with one so got it because it's supposed to prevent water from getting into the plug wells and creating an expensive rust out nightmare

Engine Cover TSB 21-2147 Warranty Voided | 2019+ Ford Ranger and Raptor Forum (5th Generation) - Ranger5G.com

As of late, not only has Ford deleted the cover from Rangers, but they have also deleted it from existence, as it is a discontinued item that cannot be purchased anywhere.

 

[Progeny2021]

So if you look in maintenance you will see I posted a copy of my oil analysis. Intially I was thinking it looked great but then realized my potassium is 22ppm. That could possibly mean a coolant leak/bad head gasket.The oil analysis company didn't say anything about it so maybe I'm over reacting. None the less.. I got a coolant pressure tester.

Before the test I kept an eye on my resevoir. At cold it's at the minimum mark. Full temp it's slightly above the minimum mark. I can not remember where it was at when I first got my Ranger a year ago.

To the test.

I've had it pressurized for hour and a half on a cool engine and the guage hasn't moved. I then took out my plugs to see If there is any wetness to them. There is none. Im hoping I'm worried about nothing.

As far as I can tell the plugs don't look bad for 25k. Good news is my #1 cylinder is clean.. No rust or water residue.

In the pic starting from left is 1,2,3,4.
FYI I'm in the livernois 87tune since 1k.

Your patient is doing just fine. Provide your Ranger with good fuel, proper hygiene, solid exercise regimen, regular checkups and your Ranger will love you unconditionally. Rangers also like gifts, as this gesture shows that you love your Ranger.

 

[AdamHarris]

Yep. Borrowing trouble here.​

 

[Joeiconic]

Nervous Nellies, as my dad would say. Just maintain it and drive it.

 

[JasonTremor]

Plugs look nice. No issues indicated there.

 

[Wytchdctr]

Look good to me. I would check everything as well if I saw something weird on an oil analysis.

 

[Trigganometry]

Here is the link to the analysis I posted. There is silicone. I was told that might be due to a newer engine. This sample is from my first oil change. I drained the factory fill at 6k.

https://www.ranger5g.com/forum/threads/2021-ford-ranger-oil-analysis.20459/

That report says you got almost 10K on that oil. That your molybdenum is as high as it is says the balance of build washout is present. It’s actually a good thing. That helps wear parts get a good dose of wear resistance. Looks good and healthy to me.

 

[21rangerCactus]

That report says you got almost 10K on that oil. That your molybdenum is as high as it is says the balance of build washout is present. It’s actually a good thing. That helps wear parts get a good dose of wear resistance. Looks good and healthy to me.

Yeah I did notice that. I would have kept the factory fill in for the full 10k but I had to take a last minute road trip and decided I should change the oil before I left.

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