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Subject: small-list-digest V3 #252
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small-list-digest Wednesday, September 29 1999 Volume 03 : Number 252



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Ford Truck Enthusiasts - Ranger, Explorer, Bronco 2 and Aerostar
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In this issue:

RE: FTE Small - Blown Head Gaskets on a 4.0L Ranger
Re: FTE Small - Pickup-towing capacities
Re: FTE Small - Pickup-towing capacities
Re: FTE Small - Pickup-towing capacities
Re: FTE Small - Pickup-towing capacities
Re: AW: FTE Small - Baby Seat for Ranger SuperCab?

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Date: Tue, 28 Sep 1999 08:21:35 -0500
From: Mike Harms
Subject: RE: FTE Small - Blown Head Gaskets on a 4.0L Ranger

First of all. Overheating is not a sign of a blown head gasket.
Overheating can be caused by multiple issues, from simple low coolant
levels, to stuck thermostats, to series items like blown head gaskets,
cracked heads, no oil.

There are specific diagnostic tests that can be preformed to check for a bad
head gasket. The first thing I would do if I where you is take the vehicle
somewhere else to confirm the diagnosis. If you're asking the group, you
must already be questioning your mechanic. If it's not drivable, have it
towed. Make sure it is a mechanic that is further than just down the road
as well. You don't want to end up taking it to your current mechanic's best
buddy.

Tests they should be performing: Was the coolant level low when you brought
the truck in? Does the vehicle blow white smoke? Was their water in the
oil? Do the sparkplugs show a sign of water in the combustion chamber?
Check the compression in each cylinder. There is a chemical test that can
be run to check for combustion gasses in the antifreeze.

Grouping all Ford V-6 engines as head gasket problems is so far from wrong
it's amazing. The 4.0l V-6 is from the same family of engines that includes
the 2.8 and the 2.9. Then there are other V-6 motors like the 3.0, 3.2 that
are totally different. Engines prior to the 88 2.9 had a tendency to crack
the head if the engine was allowed to overheat. This was due to a weakness
in the head that was corrected in 88 and in the 4.0. From the people I've
talked to about head gaskets (my 2.9 is burning coolant), they have rarely
if ever seen this family of V-6 engines blow a head gasket. If anything
blows, it will be the head. The use a very good head gasket on these
engines. Such an issue would be easy to track down as well. Go to your
local dealer's service department and have them check for TSB's (technical
service bulletins) for your engine and see if they find anything. If there
is a issue in the field with head gaskets or over torqued bolts, it'll be in
a TSB.

I saw the line about the mechanic "smelling" something. Come on...I think I
smell something too. Even if this guy does have the right diagnosis, I
wouldn't think this is the guy you want to do the work. He's picked a
diagnosis and is making up a scenario that fits. If he has seen so many,
ask him for some names of people he has already done the work for and follow
up with them. A head gasket is quite an investment and it can be worth any
trouble you spend to make sure you are doing the right thing.

To many questions, not enough clear answers usually means go somewhere else.




>Date: Mon, 27 Sep 1999 12:08:09 -0700
>From: Robert Gilkey
>Subject: FTE Small - Blown Head Gaskets on a 4.0L Ranger
...
>My truck started overheating over the weekend. I brought it into the
>shop and they said that the head gaskets were blown. They also said
>that this is common on the 4.0L Rangers. Is this true?
...
>expensive. Are there any signs to look for that they are blown?
...



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Date: Tue, 28 Sep 1999 10:29:34 -0700
From: "Hans Luckoff"
Subject: Re: FTE Small - Pickup-towing capacities

I would go with the F-150, you might get by with the Ranger with a 4.0 they
are rate for up to 6000 lbs, the 3.0 is rated for 4000lbs. I tow about a
3500lb travel trailer with my 99 Ranger 3.0 it works good on a level road
I tow in 3rd gear ) but when I get to a small hill I have to drop down into
2nd gear, it works but it's no fun. I found out the hard way that just
because it's rated for 4000lbs doesn't mean it's going to be easy. Get a
F-150 with the 4.6 Auto you won't regret it. Hans
- ----- Original Message -----
From: Christopher J Abele
To:
Sent: Monday, February 07, 2000 5:41 AM
Subject: FTE Small - Pickup-towing capacities


> Does anyone know the towing capacities for the different models of Ranger
> from 93-96? I'm looking to pull a 3500 lb trailer with rowing shells but
> don't want to tear apart suspension and my engine at the same time. (I
> don't have the truck yet, but will be purchasing either a Ranger or F-150
> this winter).
>
> Christopher J. Abele
> CCRC Head Coach and Moderator
> 1562 Archwood Lane
> Toledo, OH 43614
> home: (419)382-8581; cell: (419)297-2209
>
> ___________________________________________________________________
> Get the Internet just the way you want it.
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>

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Date: Tue, 28 Sep 1999 15:14:25 EDT
From: Desertroop aol.com
Subject: Re: FTE Small - Pickup-towing capacities

Thanks, I really needed to hear this. I have a 98 Ranger super cab 3.0 Auto.
My Ranger is to low in the rear so I added a leaf to it and it seems to be
just find. I'm looking to buy a trailer or boat and I have a two inch hitch
on the rear.

What's your gas mileage? And how far have you traveled pulling that trailer?
Do you have a transmission cooler added?

You are just the person I need to talk to. Thanks for the Number one question
about towing trailers.

J. W.


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Date: Tue, 28 Sep 1999 20:28:56 -0700
From: "Hans Luckoff"
Subject: Re: FTE Small - Pickup-towing capacities

I have not figured out the gas mileage pulling my trailer but with out the
trailer I only get about 14-15 miles per gallon around town, I complained to
the dealer and he said that was about all I can expect, what kind of mileage
do you get?
I only pulled the trailer a couple of hundred miles and I used 2 tanks of
gas I didn't figure out what that came to but it wasn't good. I only have
2500 miles on the odometer so I'm hoping the mileage gets better. The
Rangers come from the factory with a trans cooler I don't know what they are
rated at but the trans fluid didn't seem to be getting to hot, also the
engine temp remained in the normal range. I live in So. California and
towing the trailer down to San Diego on a hot day didn't make it run hot. I
have one problem with my exhaust system, it turned purple and blue from back
of the converter all the way to the tip from getting to hot, the dealer said
that was OK too, I have never seen that happen before. Regards Hans
- ----- Original Message -----
From:
To:
Sent: Tuesday, September 28, 1999 12:14 PM
Subject: Re: FTE Small - Pickup-towing capacities


> Thanks, I really needed to hear this. I have a 98 Ranger super cab 3.0
Auto.
> My Ranger is to low in the rear so I added a leaf to it and it seems to be
> just find. I'm looking to buy a trailer or boat and I have a two inch
hitch
> on the rear.
>
> What's your gas mileage? And how far have you traveled pulling that
trailer?
> Do you have a transmission cooler added?
>
> You are just the person I need to talk to. Thanks for the Number one
question
> about towing trailers.
>
> J. W.
>
>
> == FTE: Uns*bscribe and posting info http://www.ford-trucks.com/faq.html
>

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Date: Tue, 28 Sep 1999 23:41:31 -0400
From: n5xmt
Subject: Re: FTE Small - Pickup-towing capacities

On Tue, 28 Sep 1999, you wrote:
> I have not figured out the gas mileage pulling my trailer but with out =
the
> trailer I only get about 14-15 miles per gallon around town, I complain=
ed to
> the dealer and he said that was about all I can expect, what kind of mi=
leage
> do you get?
> I only pulled the trailer a couple of hundred miles and I used 2 tanks =
of
> gas I didn't figure out what that came to but it wasn't good. I only ha=
ve
> 2500 miles on the odometer so I'm hoping the mileage gets better. The
> Rangers come from the factory with a trans cooler I don't know what the=
y are
> rated at but the trans fluid didn't seem to be getting to hot, also the
> engine temp remained in the normal range. I live in So. California and
> towing the trailer down to San Diego on a hot day didn't make it run ho=
t. I
> have one problem with my exhaust system, it turned purple and blue from=
back
> of the converter all the way to the tip from getting to hot, the dealer=
said
> that was OK too, I have never seen that happen before. Regards Hans

Just today I saw 3 newer (98,99) Ranger pickups and all 3 had the straw/b=
lue
colored exhaust pipe. It's probably just the grade of steel they use tha=
t
turns color with the heat of the exhaust.
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------------------------------

Date: Wed, 29 Sep 1999 01:55:17 EDT
From: FrdRngrLvr aol.com
Subject: Re: AW: FTE Small - Baby Seat for Ranger SuperCab?

Fire Fighter/ Emergency Medicial Technician...kinda like a paramedi..i just
cannot do drugs....
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