hello folks..just ole scottyboy here with un update on the ongoing problem
with my 3.liter v6 ranger x-extended cab. as you all know from the previous
post I was having a problem with the temp. gauge showing it was running
hotter than norm. I had the radiator rodded out and the engine "power
flushed'(don't know exactly what this means) and the thermostat replaced
twice, still she ran hotter than normal. next I took out the thermostat to
see what would happen and after driving her at highway speeds for almost an
hour she was back up there, running almost 3/4 of the gauge on the hot side.
I put the thermostat back in(195degree thermo) and there she went,,back up
again. After checking all the usual stuff(radiator fluids,radiator flow and
all), I just happened to pull the transmission dipstick and low and behold
she was almost a quart low. I added the appropriate amount of tranny fluid
and took her out for another hour road trip, while driving along after
almost 45 minutes, she started to heat up past the center of the temp.
gauge..further driving took her a little bit higher but then the gauge would
dramatically drop really fast to a point just past center mark on the gauge
and then slowly creep up past 3/4 mark. but.....when driving her at
night.the ambient temps are cooler then, the gauge usually reads close to
the center mark and i don't consider that overheating> my question
is...could the tranny fluid have gotten so love that I have picked up some
trash and this is restricting the tranny fluid flow thru the radiator to the
point that the tranny fluid in the cooling coils in the radiator is so hot
that it makes the radiator ineffective when it comes to cooling? Also, why
would there be such a wide ride of temp readings on the gauge while I
drive?.Highway speeds seem to not affect the temp readings. and....is there
a way to properly flush out the tranny fluid, cleans all the debris out and
replace the tranny screen that might help in the cooling process? Could it
be a blockage in the engine block?. I am not losing any radiator fluid at
this time, every time I check it is full. I am confounded at this time as to
what the problem could be. Also, what all is involved in a complete tune-up
on this motor?, it is a 3.0 liter, automatic tranny w/electronic overdrive.
any and all responses on this matter will be greatly appreciated!

 

I have a 95 Ranger 3.0 Automatic Reg. Cab. Splash Design. I haven't had any problems with my cooling as of yet that I know of. My gauge doesn't move much above the Cool Side I have never seen it higher then 1/2 way between the cold and middle. About the time it gets to the area between cold and middle of the guage the fan either kicks in or something because the guage then drops back down to the cool side. I think the thermostat in this truck must have been set cooler.

Mike

 

I'm really curious about this. First off, let me ask the basic stupid questions. Do you run a 50/50 mix of antifreeze/water?? Running a higher concentration of antifreeze will increase the tendency to run hotter, since ethylene glycol is NOT as good a conductor of heat as water. When you checked your flow, was it really good (like, gushing when the thermostat is open)?? Do you have the engine mounted fan with the clutch?? If YES, do you know for sure that the fan clutch is engaging when the engine compartment (especially radiator) is HOT?? How long have you had this truck?? Did the problem just start, or has it been a problem all along?? If you know for a fact that everything is working correctly, but still have the problem, I have just one suggestion ... IS THE WATER PUMP THE CORRECT ONE?? I know this sounds stupid, but the impeller is shaped such that it only produces adequate flow & pressure when spinning in the CORRECT direction. If a previous owner installed the wrong pump, that could be your problem (impeller spinning the wrong way, producing grossly inadequate flow & pressure). I've seen it happen more than once. Some pumps are driven by the usual old fashioned V-belt pulleys, newer ones are driven by the wide toothed single-belt system. Some of those systems spin the pump in the OPPOSITE direction that the V-belt system would spin it in another vehicle.

 

thanx amp....first off the mix is a little bit below 50/50, prolly 60/40,secondly the flow seems adequate bacause i had the radiator rodded out just a few months ago and she ran fine for awhile.i do have a fan clutch and it seems to be engagining fine when the temp. is hot. the problem started a month ago when i checked the tranny fluid and it was about a quart low, i added a quart, brought it up to normal fluid level and she stills runs almost3/4 gauge on the hot side.i bought the truck from my brother-in-law and i honestly dont know about the water pump, i'll have to ask him. the belt is a serpintine belt routed all over the front of the engine compartment(slight humor) but i'll check on the pump. like i said this all statred a month or so ago and i have put two thermostats in...still runs hot......took the thermostat out and it still runs hot, the other day i noticed a leak(rather a pour) from the radiator so i'm off to buy a new one today, maybe the guy who rodded it out left all the trash inside and it is all stopped up now?, i dunno, the antifreeze still looks clean and all and the flow seems adaquate.i'll keep messin with it till i/we figure it out...also had a new catalytic converter installed the other day and still no help.wonder what could be causing all this?

thanx for your help and again..Thank You for your reply!!

scottyboy

 

There is one other possibility ... I hate to even suggest it ... are there any exhaust fumes getting into your cooling system?? (head gasket problem, or cracked head). I SINCERELY HOPE NOT! But worth a check.

 

thanx amp for your reply, how would i go about checking for exhaust in the radiator fluid?

 

I would do the radiator and then the pump if you still have a problem. I don't think you have a head/head gasket problem, the 3.0s are not like the 2.9s. I forget if you checked the sendor?

 

what kind of "sendor" are you talking about ken?....thanx for your help!!

scottyboy

 

What I was getting at was determining if the truck was really running hot or the gauge or the sensor for the gauge was inacurate.

 

I undestand what you saying now.....gonna get the new radiator tomorrow and a new fan clutch and serp. belt.......prolly be a good idea just to get a new temp. sending unit also?

thanx again...scottyboy

 

A slipping fan clutch normally doesn't affect highway temeratures. Make sure you get the single wire sensor for the gauge not the two wire one for the PCM.

 

ok........thanx ken, heading to town soon to get that stuff and try to put it all back together today and see what happens.

thanx for everything

scottyboy

 

I'd consider putting in a new temp sending unit. My 94 4.0L 4x4 XLT has been hard on them for some reason; I'm on #3 since I've bought the rig new. Usually my temp gage reads real low when the sending unit it acting up. Normally it reads midrange, maybe dropping 1 needle mark if it's real cold out, or rising 2-3 needle marks if it's hot and I'm climbing a steep hill or pulling something.

The cost of the sending unit is a bit under $20 if I recall correctly. Buy it from Ford rather than aftermarket.

 

ok folks..heres the latest. went yesterday and bought a new radiator and serp.belt and temp.sending unit(single wire). after putting it all bach together me and the wife took it out for a drive, we prolly drove about 35 miles but the temp gauge never got past the halfway mark. usually the temps starts acting up at about 35-40 miles of highway driving but maybe we have fixed this. i'll keep posting if she doesnt do right, maybe she's fixed......i just want to say a "BIG THANK YOU" to:
CowboyBilly9Mile,
amp17757,
scanmike,
and specially ken00, you guys helped this ole countryboy more than you'll ever know....Thanx Again!!!...scottyboy

 

Good luck!!