95 3.8L Sable overheating Issue

That's classic water in the combustion chamber. When you overheat an aluminum head engine, the head gasket gets too thin from the overexpanded head.

That makes since. What are the chances of that being the problem and only one cylinder being effected?

See it all the time.

well Im going to put the new gaskets on this weekend I hope that fixes the problem. If not, I have no idea what will.

Just hope you caught the problem in time. One frequent problem in the 3.8L when a gasket fails is coolant getting to the oil causing damage to the crank bearings. If this happens and it runs this way for any significant time, most of them will experience bearing failure after a few days or weeks after repair. Ford recommends all of the head bolts be replaced when you replace the gaskets.

Good luck and keep your fingers crossed

Lugnut

The REPLACE ENGINE light has come on the dashboard.

Water is getting in. Check the head surfaces for flatness, because it does not take much warp to cause a problem. You may also have a tiny crack that is impossible to see without the dye.

I suspect it is cheaper just to replace the block than to remachine the surface if it's warped on this engine.

--scott

It is very common for the head to warp a little when it gets overheated like this.

If money is an issue but you have lots of time just put it back together with new gaskets and see what happens. Worst case scenario it leaks right away or springs a leak shortly after repair.

If money isn't #1 priority take the head to a machine shop and have it checked. They can cut it level again if need be. You have a much greater chance of success if you start with a refaced head.

If I were doing this job I would pull both heads and have them reworked and refaced then put them back with new gaskets. I would also go ahead and replace any items that are common failure and right there like the timing chain/belt and waterpump. This would probably mean I had to eat mac & cheese three meals a day for a couple weeks but I'd rather do that than have to go back and redo all that work.

Steve B.

Yea i think what im going to do is put it together and say a lil prayer. If it dont work then i guess its time for a new car cuzz i dont think they have the money to make any $$$ repairs. But id think it would be cheaper to just buy some used heads. Is it really necessary to replace the head bolts?

I think if you talk to a friendly Ford tech he'll tell you the 3.8 came from factory head gaskets that were too thin--Ford replaced oe-gaskets after we consumers did the testing for Ford! s

The only way your going to come out on the deal by not doing the heads and bolts is to slap it back together mickey mouse, then sell it before it blows up for good. There has been a ton of good shape fords junked for bad 3.8's. You can find a used 3.0 taurus in that vintage for around a grand or so. To do one of these motors right, you need to have the heads machined, get a full top end kit with head bolts. replace the timing chain gaskets and such under the water pump, and pray that the bearings are not damaged otherwise eventually the motor will start knocking and the clock is ticking.

Or find a used motor from a car with a bad trannie........ In that vintage, a bad motor or trannie usually sentences that car to the junkyard.

Bob