Head gasket? Thermostat? Coolant leak?

CVONSTEIN

MEMBER
1998 FORD E-SERIES VAN
6 CYL
2WD
AUTOMATIC
237,000 MILES

98 Ford E-250, sluggish acceleration when cold, no heat circulating through heater core, thick white smoke upon cold startup, heater core is NOT plugged (checked with compressor) coolant system not pressurizing once engine is warm. Air bubbles up from reservoir when cap is opened upon startup. Heat USED to work sporadically (on 20 seconds, off 20 seconds a few months ago), then gradually got worse, now doesn't circulate to heater core at all. Coolant has overflowed through reservoir cap (seemingly especially during hard acceleration) and this last time coolant got so low, so suddenly truck started overheating. Two days ago truck had trouble starting, this morning engine would not turn over until I cranked it for a good two minutes, with a 20 minute break halfway through. Any help would be taken as a Godsend, freezing my **** off every day, concerned about truck not making it through winter.
Chris

1 Reply

JACOBANDNICKOLAS

MECHANIC
109,747 POSTS

Based on everything you mentioned, it sounds like you have a bad head gasket. Check engine compression for a low cylender. What I believe is happening is this. When you drive, compression from a cylender or two is getting into the cooling system. Thus, blowing the coolant out especially under heavy accelleration. Also, once air gets into the system, it causes air pockets which will affect your heater. Finally, the thick white smoke is a dead give away that coolant is getting burned in the combustion chamber.