no heat
Thread Starter
|
Mountain Pass
Joined: Sep 2003
Posts: 117
Likes: 2
no heat
i have a '93 ranger 4.0 V-6. now that winter is here, the temp gauges never leaves the cold side at all and the heater blows luke warm. is this the thermostat stuck open? i've heard of that happening but it's got to be rare. does anyone have any ideas about what could be causing this engine to run cold? thanks,Kent
Posting Guru
Joined: May 2004
Posts: 1,343
Likes: 0
From: Higginsville, MO
That sounds like the first place I would look. Thermostats are the most prone component to fail in the cooling system besides the heater core. The motor will always produce heat if it is running but if the thermostat is open all the time, the coolant wont stay in the motor long enough to heat up. And vice versa in the summer the coolant may not stay in the radiator long enough to cool the motor. I would change the thermostat first since it is only a couple dollars and make sure you get the gasket that goes with it. Good luck!
Fleet Mechanic
Joined: Dec 2003
Posts: 1,436
Likes: 117
From: Virginia
If your truck is not over-heating, don't change any parts just yet. I doubt it is the thermostat. You can do the cheap test where you warm up the truck to normal and grab the upper radiator hose and the 2 heater hoses. They should feel hot to the touch.
The more likely cause (if I remember corectly) is the "blend door" is stuck. In the vent ducts it is not allowing the air to blow accross the heater core. Some people have reported the more un-likely blocked heater core.
I could be wrong, but I would bet on the door.
The more likely cause (if I remember corectly) is the "blend door" is stuck. In the vent ducts it is not allowing the air to blow accross the heater core. Some people have reported the more un-likely blocked heater core.
I could be wrong, but I would bet on the door.
Last edited by G2IC_Wraith; Dec 16, 2004 at 09:14 AM.
Moderator
Joined: Jan 2004
Posts: 13,851
Likes: 111
From: SW Va
Shure sounds like a thermostat stuck open, especially with the temp gauge not comming off cold & the heater blowing luke warm.
When you replace the thermostat, do it with a Motorcraft, or one that has the built in air bleed valve & make shure that bleed valve is facing UP (12 oclock position), with the bimetalic spring toward the engine.
This is imporant to have, as it eases cooling system air removal, upon refilling.
My 99 4.0L doesn't use a paper gasket, just a large "O" ring to seal the themostat housing.
Let us know how it goes.
When you replace the thermostat, do it with a Motorcraft, or one that has the built in air bleed valve & make shure that bleed valve is facing UP (12 oclock position), with the bimetalic spring toward the engine.
This is imporant to have, as it eases cooling system air removal, upon refilling.
My 99 4.0L doesn't use a paper gasket, just a large "O" ring to seal the themostat housing.
Let us know how it goes.
Thread Starter
|
Mountain Pass
Joined: Sep 2003
Posts: 117
Likes: 2
Thank you! i will check it tonight. I appreciate all the advice. yes the temp gauge stays all the way to the left. during warmer weather it always moves up to normal position....that's why i suspected the thermostat. i've heard about the blend door too and that's a common problem as well. but yea, for a couple bucks, i'll just change the thermostat. KS
New User
Joined: Nov 2003
Posts: 7
Likes: 0
From: AZ
Trending Topics
Junior User
Joined: Nov 2004
Posts: 70
Likes: 0
FTE Stories
Ford Trucks for Ford Truck Enthusiasts
10 Best Ford Truck Engines We Miss the Most!
Joe Kucinski
2026 Shelby F-150 Off-Road: Better Than a Raptor R?
Brett Foote
2027 Super Duty Carhartt Package First Look: 12 Things You NEED to Know!
Michael S. Palmer
10 Most Surprising 2026 Ford Truck Features!
Joe Kucinski
Top 10 Ford Trucks Coming to Mecum Indy 2026
Brett Foote
5 Best / 5 Worst Ford Truck Wheels of All Time
Joe Kucinski
Ford Super Duty: 5 Things Owners LOVE, 5 Things They LOATHE!
Joe Kucinski
Every 2026 Ford Truck Engine RANKED from WORST to FIRST!
Michael S. Palmer
The Best F-150 Deal of Every Trim Level (XL through Raptor)
Joe Kucinski
Thread Starter
|
Mountain Pass
Joined: Sep 2003
Posts: 117
Likes: 2
it was definately the thermostat! but i get to do the job over again anyways. i installed it on saturday....i got the thermostat at napa. it did not have an air bleed in it....but that slipped my mind and it was getting late in the day and i needed my truck. the oring didn't fit good either. also you have to remove the belt and tensioner. anyways.....now the truck heats up fine but the temp gauge moves around....like a hotspot is circulating through the engine. and i didn't put in all the antifreeze that i drained out...it was close but not quite. so i assume i have an air pocket and i don't see how it will ever get out without an air bleed. i hate it when manufacturers skip steps to make their parts cheaper. so this weekend, i'm putting in a motorcraft. i know you warned me but i figured napa would be fine. just wanted to share the info. KS
Fleet Mechanic
Joined: Dec 2003
Posts: 1,436
Likes: 117
From: Virginia
I stand corrected. 
See where memory gets you..... I just remembered the guys talking about the blend door stuck, but you could still grab the hoses and feel they are hot so it wasn't the thermostat for them.
Sorry about your NAPA part. You said it, "cheap part" = waste of time.
See where memory gets you..... I just remembered the guys talking about the blend door stuck, but you could still grab the hoses and feel they are hot so it wasn't the thermostat for them.Sorry about your NAPA part. You said it, "cheap part" = waste of time.
Moderator
Joined: Jan 2004
Posts: 13,851
Likes: 111
From: SW Va
Good to hear you have HEAT KS.
You may still be able to work around the problem thusly.
Pour the remainder of the coolant into the recovery tank, if it'll take it.
Put the vehicle on an incline, with the engine facing up.
With it running & warmed up, squeeze/milk the upper radiator hose a dozen or so times, turn the engine off & let it cool.
With some luck it'll burp & top itself off.
Let us know how it goes.
You may still be able to work around the problem thusly.
Pour the remainder of the coolant into the recovery tank, if it'll take it.
Put the vehicle on an incline, with the engine facing up.
With it running & warmed up, squeeze/milk the upper radiator hose a dozen or so times, turn the engine off & let it cool.
With some luck it'll burp & top itself off.
Let us know how it goes.
New User
Joined: Nov 2004
Posts: 6
Likes: 0
(edit: Started new thread, reply there)
I'm doing a thermostat replacement on my 2000 2.5L right now. Ditto on the motorcraft only part - the one from kragen was not even the same size.
Question though:
The thermostat housing is some sort of composite, almost plastic. It doesn't look like there was any kind of factory sealant, just the o-ring. Even the guy at Ford said you don't need any kind of sealant. I don't beleive em.
The only other car I have worked on (for over a decade too) is a 68 mustang, and let me tell you, she loves sealant! That thing will leak all over without gobs of rtv.
to seal or not to seal...
I'm doing a thermostat replacement on my 2000 2.5L right now. Ditto on the motorcraft only part - the one from kragen was not even the same size.
Question though:
The thermostat housing is some sort of composite, almost plastic. It doesn't look like there was any kind of factory sealant, just the o-ring. Even the guy at Ford said you don't need any kind of sealant. I don't beleive em.
The only other car I have worked on (for over a decade too) is a 68 mustang, and let me tell you, she loves sealant! That thing will leak all over without gobs of rtv.
to seal or not to seal...
Last edited by Big_B; Dec 20, 2004 at 08:18 PM.
air pocket
Mountain Pass
Joined: Dec 2004
Posts: 148
Likes: 0
From: missouri
im having the same problem on my 91 2.3 mustang....temp gauge doesnt move..my ranger runs nice and warm the old cardboard in front of the radiator is a quick fix if itts really that cold as it is right now here in missouri....guess im changin the thermostat tommorow if it doesnt snow that much....thanx all