i have a 1990 ford ranger my temp gauge moves very slightly i grounded gauge to check it and it works i replaced thermostat and temp sending unit same problem i checked temp of engine and it is up to operating temp could there be a blockage causing this not to work i have used radiator stop leak in the past .the heat inside my truck gets fairly warm not overlly hot is there a way to flush my blockmaybe ?what could cause this ?i have no problems with any other gaugeson occacision it gets to almost the n on normal then drops back down not often though could it be radiator cap ive never changed it


please help

 

Since you've allready done everythng that should have fixed this, this is a strange one. Are you sure there are no leaks in the cooling system? If the level is rising in the overflow bottle as the engine warms up & drops as it cools down, theres no leaks & I have no idea what this would be. As Ken mentioned you could try a reverse flush. I have a Prestone flush & fill T spliced into a heater hose. Every 2 years I hook up a garden hose & flush away.

 

The stop leak could clog the passages. I would do a flush with the kits you can get at the parts store but also force some water into the sensor port when you have the system empty.

 

thanks ill give it a try and see if that worksill let you guys know if it works my mechanic said gauge could be out of calibration but i think block plugged is better cause especially since ive never really flushed system in 14 yrs!

 

14 YRS! WOW! I can't imagine how much buildup you must have in your cooling system. Do a really really good flush. And take the drain plug all the way out so that the chunks of gunk can come out.

 

truck looks fabulous though seats have been covered since day i bought it new in 90no dents or scratches and new paint except for this truck sound

 

I'd rather have a good running engine than clean seats. IMHO.

 

the drain plug in engine?

 

The plug on the bottom of your radiator. The plug is made so that you can just loosen it to drain the fluid, however when doing a flush its always a good idea to take it all the way out to let any sludge, buildup, or deposits drain out of the radiator.