Okay, I'm new to this site, and the reason I'm here is because I am worried about my baby...that is my '86 Ford Ranger. I recently noticed an yellow film or gunk type substince in the oil tank. Its only at the entrance where you pour oil in, not where you check it. My mom said its a cracked head, but its been raining a lot here and the cap is stripped so it doesn't tighten all the way, so I thought it might be humidity or water that splashed up. I called a few mechanics and they went both ways. Can anybody help? PLeeeaaaasssseee

Is it blowing a little smoke?

Yea, you have antifreeze in your oil. Most will tell you it's a crack head. It could be too, the 1986 heads were notorious for it. The 1990 and greater were much better, but still suck.

I had cracked heads on my 88. Had that same film. It's even worse under your valve covers. A remedy was to get new heads that wern't prone to cracking.

Pete

Well, thats not what I wanted to hear, but is what was suspected. Thanks for your help, now I know what I must do. by the way, ow often do your heads crack?, that way I know what to expect.

~Leah~

Well, thats not what I wanted to hear, but is what was suspected. Thanks for your help, now I know what I must do. by the way, ow often do your heads crack?, that way I know what to expect.

~Leah~

Really, they will only crack if they get the slightest overheat. Just keep your cooling system in good working condition, and replace your heads with ones from a later Ranger, or after market ones. You could get rebuilt ones from generally the same year, but those crack much easier.

Pete