Engine Head Gasket

[Trigganometry]

Someone may jump in and educate me here, but I've never heard of a stock 2.3 having a head gasket problem, except the Focus RS with the head gasket defect. Every time I hear of a problem, it's after someone modified it . . . . . . usually to make 400+ hp. This is usually a Mustang problem and not a Ranger problem. If there are exceptions, I'd like to hear about it.

We should refer you to I think I threw a rod thread then..

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[Msfitoy]

OP...How's your transmission doing?

 

[Superdannyboy]

This is not an issue for the Ranger engine. The head was redesigned before it was used in the Ranger. It involved drilling diagonal water passages into the head between the two middle cylinders to eliminate a head gasket problem.

I'm glad you brought this up. Is this the definition of the closed deck? If so then the ranger does have a closed deck and not an open deck? I'm asking because I was told by an Ecoboost mustang owner that I have an open deck which doesn't handle power as much as a closed deck does. I couldn't find much information on it when I searched a few years ago or I just didn't dig deep enough.

 

[Dr_Strangelove]

I'm glad you brought this up. Is this the definition of the closed deck? If so then the ranger does have a closed deck and not an open deck?

It's an open deck design on our engine. You can see the coolant passage around the cylinder in this photo.

For reference - here is a closed deck 4-banger. This is NOT our engine.

 

[Superdannyboy]

It's an open deck design on our engine. You can see the coolant passage around the cylinder in this photo.

For reference - here is a closed deck 4-banger. This is NOT our engine.

Thanks for the clarification. My buddy had an open deck and bought his mustang used and shortly after had to get the bottom end replaced under warranty. He said he paid the tech extra and got the closed deck.

 

[scarchild35]

So from what I understand, the 2.3L ecoboost block was designed in such a way that made a couple of the pistons close together and the head gasket could fail. This design was later updated to a longer block to address this concern (I forget which year, but I have a 2019 so I definitely have the original block design).

My Ranger lives outside. No room in the garage. So I ALWAYS remote start the thing and give it at least a couple of minutes to run before I leave. Especially for short trips. Is this habit a good habit to ensure the engine warms and coolant is flowing before working the engine on a drive? Or am I doing more harm than good? Curious what the collective thoughts are.

About the remote start:
I regularly use the FordPass app to remote start, more for comfort reasons than anything but I think it's good to let the fluids warm up for a minute, especially the tranny. I don't think you have anything to worry about so long as you're not letting it sit at idle for a long period of time. Mine usually sits for 3-4 minutes at the most and I've never noticed any impact on MPG. I wouldn't worry about that too much. Extended idling isn't good though.

 

[GhostStrykre]

OP...How's your transmission doing?

doin great. Actually has seemed quite smooth as of late. Which means it’s the calm before the storm. Might need to post a concern thread in the tires and wheels section. It is the internet after all. Ya can’t get flamed unless you give people a reason to trigger. It’s a thankless job, but it’s the lord’s work.

(before someone gets a torsioned testicle from the violent shaking that this comment might cause, I feel obligated to specify I am joking…. Ya just never know.)

About the remote start:
I regularly use the FordPass app to remote start, more for comfort reasons than anything but I think it's good to let the fluids warm up for a minute, especially the tranny. I don't think you have anything to worry about so long as you're not letting it sit at idle for a long period of time. Mine usually sits for 3-4 minutes at the most and I've never noticed any impact on MPG. I wouldn't worry about that too much. Extended idling isn't good though.

I do the same. I appreciate the feedback. I actually do let it idle way too much sometimes so this is a good reminder to read. Appreciate it!

 

[Msfitoy]

doin great. Actually has seemed quite smooth as of late. Which means it’s the calm before the storm. Might need to post a concern thread in the tires and wheels section. It is the internet after all. Ya can’t get flamed unless you give people a reason to trigger. It’s a thankless job, but it’s the lord’s work.

(before someone gets a torsioned testicle from the violent shaking that this comment might cause, I feel obligated to specify I am joking…. Ya just never know.)



I do the same. I appreciate the feedback. I actually do let it idle way too much sometimes so this is a good reminder to read. Appreciate it!

You have vibration issues? That could be a driveshaft problem too...

 

[Motorpsychology]

You may have been confused by the Focus RS that had chronic head gasket problems.

The 2016-19 Escapes had coolant intrusion problems in the 1.5L Ecoboost four cylinder. I had a 2018 I sold to Carvana when I bought my Ranger. Never had a problem with mine, but Ford replaced thousands with long blocks. Part of the $2 billion in warranty costs. Ford scrapped the 1.5L four with the 1.5L Dragon 3cyl for 2020 and beyond.

 

[Jason B]

doin great. Actually has seemed quite smooth as of late. Which means it’s the calm before the storm. Might need to post a concern thread in the tires and wheels section. It is the internet after all. Ya can’t get flamed unless you give people a reason to trigger. It’s a thankless job, but it’s the lord’s work.

(before someone gets a torsioned testicle from the violent shaking that this comment might cause, I feel obligated to specify I am joking…. Ya just never know.)



I do the same. I appreciate the feedback. I actually do let it idle way too much sometimes so this is a good reminder to read. Appreciate it!

How odd that you said 'torsioned testicle'. I had never heard that term until yesterday while reading comments on an MXRPlays video.
Deja Vu all over again.
And excuse the responses on this forum. They say there are no stupid questions, but you will get stupid answers, or non-answers.

 

[GhostStrykre]

How odd that you said 'torsioned testicle'. I had never heard that term until yesterday while reading comments on an MXRPlays video.
Deja Vu all over again.
And excuse the responses on this forum. They say there are no stupid questions, but you will get stupid answers, or non-answers.

as a veteran of the internet since the AOL days in my parents basement office, i had to reach deep into my playbook of "How to Survive Getting Flamed on the Internet":
- Step 1, embrace failure and own up to it
- Step 2, attempt to crack a joke, preferably one that is far less common (twisted testes being the use here!), in hopes of flame-crisis deescalation
- Step 3, hope for the best and if all else fails, try not to take it personally.. it IS the internet, after all

i do appreciate the words of solidarity tho!

 

[5thranger]

How odd that you said 'torsioned testicle'. I had never heard that term until yesterday while reading comments on an MXRPlays video.
Deja Vu all over again.
And excuse the responses on this forum. They say there are no stupid questions, but you will get stupid answers, or non-answers.

I have never heard the term ' torsioned testicle' it sounds excruciatingly painful. However I have heard of severed testicle and my wife threatened me with that if I spent any more money on the Ranger.

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