I have a 99 Ranger supercab, 3.0 Sport 4x4 automatic, 60K miles, premium fuel, went on a trip to northern California this weekend, from San Diego, to Reno (395) and battled overheating (A/C off) when we climbed any of the mountains. The check gauge light (never a check engine light) would come on , temp gauge showed very hot, just at the white line before the "H", we'd turn on the heater and the gauge would drop to 3/4 hot. First time we stopped it was boiling out the overflow like gangbusters. Stopped in Bishop and had the thermostat, radiator cap, and fan clutch replaced and went on our way thinking that we'd have no more problems... wrong. Same crap again. Made it to Reno and unloaded the truck thinking that it was just the load. Wrong again. Climbing hills seems to be a big problem, night time and cooler temps it's no problem.
Is this normal? Is this 3.0 in need of the "bypass retrofit"? or is the radiator too small and needs the 4.0 radiator instead? Has anyone else had this problem? Anybody else put in a 4.0 radiator or done the bypass retrofit? Any suggestions? All will be appreciated. I have to get this fixed ASAP.

Thanks for your time

Best regards.

Jon (bummed out...) Ranger owner

 

When is the last time you had your rad flushed? It could be all blocked up. Also, I know this soounds dumb, but is your coolant level up? If it is low you can overheat your engine. Also is your water pump leaking? That could also be a problem. Good luck!

-Matt

 

Hi Matt

I flushed the radiator about a month ago after I had minor percolating after coming off the freeway and things seemed ok. The coolant level is at the halfway point on the overflow and when all is cold the coolant is to the top of the radiator when you remove the radiator cap. When I flushed the system the outgoing coolant was clean also. Still looking for answers on this one...

Regards,

Jon

 

A few ideals... I see that you flushed the radaitor... I work for a dodge as a mech. I have run into themstats being stuck party way open to water pumps not pumping as they should... But the mos common problem I see is the cluch fan... You need to grab you clutch fan and see if the beings are tight. (motor off of course Ha Ha) Clutch fan will look like the are turning while the motor is runing but may not be turning fast enough to cool. You might check with ford and see if there are any TSB out for your truck.. JApe this may be of help ...

 

I was not born to be a typist

 

I thought this might be the problem at first and replaced the fan clutch with a new ford unit , still the same results. I'm thinking of putting in a new 4.0 radiator and maybe the "bypass retrofit kit". I would sure like to hear from someone who has installed the kit and if they had serious overheating problems before the kit was installed or were they "just" hearing the popping sounds?
Thanks, Jon

 

Make sure your EGR system is operating OK...it's job is to cool the combustion chamber which helps keep the rest of the motor a little cooler.

 

Hi Joe!!

Good idea, but an EGR problem will normally throw a CEL....
I hope you are having a good weekend!!!