2000 Ranger coolant question
Postmaster
Joined: Jan 2012
Posts: 3,462
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From: Richmond
Given your location Xen, I'd guess the water has fluoride in it, something to combat nitrogen pollution, chemical remnants from the purification, and possibly desalinized?
For me it's never worth the couple dollars to fool with measuring, etc. Especially when you add the price of distilled water. Especially when most of the vehicles I've owned are older than I am. Peace of mind is worth the $5.50
For me it's never worth the couple dollars to fool with measuring, etc. Especially when you add the price of distilled water. Especially when most of the vehicles I've owned are older than I am. Peace of mind is worth the $5.50
Post Fiend
Joined: Dec 2007
Posts: 8,521
Likes: 16
From: Lost
Kinda late to the party, but....
If the radiator has as much build up in it as you describe, I doubt you can flush enough of it out to prevent further issues down the road.
Not really sure what causes it to happen, but later model rangers are famous for having the radiator clog up internally. By later model, I'm reffering to ~93+.
Given these 2 facts, I'd recommend starting with a replacement radiator, as well as giving the rest of the system a good flushing. The stock radiator doesn't have a large capacity, so having the bottom 1/3 full of "mud" just creates overheating issues.
My rather basic 95 B2300 (Ranger 4cyl, with Mazda badges) came with a fairly new radiator. I suspect it suffered from the same clogging issue as most others.
If the radiator has as much build up in it as you describe, I doubt you can flush enough of it out to prevent further issues down the road.
Not really sure what causes it to happen, but later model rangers are famous for having the radiator clog up internally. By later model, I'm reffering to ~93+.
Given these 2 facts, I'd recommend starting with a replacement radiator, as well as giving the rest of the system a good flushing. The stock radiator doesn't have a large capacity, so having the bottom 1/3 full of "mud" just creates overheating issues.
My rather basic 95 B2300 (Ranger 4cyl, with Mazda badges) came with a fairly new radiator. I suspect it suffered from the same clogging issue as most others.
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Posting Guru
Joined: Jun 2004
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From: Casa Grande
Hey guys, sorry I haven't replied but sometimes life interferes with my playing. I haven't had a chance to do anything with the truck and not real sure when I can. But thank you all for the replies, I'll be referring back to them when I get the time to start checking it out.
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Posting Guru
Joined: Jun 2004
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From: Casa Grande
Well Finally got the chance to work on the Ranger again.
Did a couple flushes with the over the counter stuff and didn't see any leaks.
So did a flush with Cascade dish washer detergent and if was looking good.
Then I filled it with distilled water and will run it for a week and see what happens.
Thanks for all the replies.
Keith
Did a couple flushes with the over the counter stuff and didn't see any leaks.
So did a flush with Cascade dish washer detergent and if was looking good.
Then I filled it with distilled water and will run it for a week and see what happens.
Thanks for all the replies.
Keith
Posting Guru
Joined: Apr 2011
Posts: 1,636
Likes: 5
From: Orlando area
Like Shaun said. Somewhat simple to fix, just takes time.
Do us a favor, swipe a little bit on some metal and see how it dries. And put a little in the cup and let the water evaporate.
Here in the county we have hard water. Tastes fine, no need for a filter, but if you only clean toilets once a month a red ring will develop. When I bought my truck the PO was extolling the benefits of the mix it yourself coolant. Since the truck had no thermo I'm willing to bet it was ALL water. And since he was an idiot probably our mediocre tap water. I had rust scale in my coolant that looked a bit more like the photo below. It was more watery, less viscous than what Shaun posted. When the water evaporated out of the bucket I was left with extremely fine rust granules- almost like sand.
I drained it, then flushed with pressurized water back and forth several times, maybe 5 each. Finally had clean water both directions and sealed it back up. After a month of driving I have a little dirt in the coolant, looks like someone sprinkled pepper on the top of the liquid. I should flush again, but it's much better.
Get us a couple pictures.
Do us a favor, swipe a little bit on some metal and see how it dries. And put a little in the cup and let the water evaporate.
Here in the county we have hard water. Tastes fine, no need for a filter, but if you only clean toilets once a month a red ring will develop. When I bought my truck the PO was extolling the benefits of the mix it yourself coolant. Since the truck had no thermo I'm willing to bet it was ALL water. And since he was an idiot probably our mediocre tap water. I had rust scale in my coolant that looked a bit more like the photo below. It was more watery, less viscous than what Shaun posted. When the water evaporated out of the bucket I was left with extremely fine rust granules- almost like sand.
I drained it, then flushed with pressurized water back and forth several times, maybe 5 each. Finally had clean water both directions and sealed it back up. After a month of driving I have a little dirt in the coolant, looks like someone sprinkled pepper on the top of the liquid. I should flush again, but it's much better.
Get us a couple pictures.
This is called rust "blushing". It is caused by having a low coolant level and weak antifreeze. See this article in Motor magazine http://www.motor.com/magazine/pdfs/082010_08.pdf
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