ranger slow to operating temp
Postmaster
Joined: Aug 2004
Posts: 2,908
Likes: 2
From: West Mansfield, Ohio
On my 91 with the 2.3, it takes a good 6 minutes at least to get to normal temp. Thats running it down the road and everything in 45-50 degree weather. If you have a 4 banger like me, remember that these little engines dont produce as much heat as a big or small block V8, and wont produce heat as quick.
5 minutes while moving sounds normal to me to be honest... maybe a little better than what I'm getting...
5 minutes while moving sounds normal to me to be honest... maybe a little better than what I'm getting...
Posting Guru
Joined: Jul 2003
Posts: 1,978
Likes: 1
From: Alvin, Texas.
My temp gauge takes a little while to get up, but with a properly maintained cooling system, things should not gt too hot. On that point, you don't want things so hot as to crisp underhood hoses and wiring.
If your truck is up in years, change the temp guage sender. After one t-stat change, that *should* click in your mind as the other part to this equation assuming all other things are in good shape.....which may be the case if you aren't requesting help on overheating.
Oh yeah, this isn't a 7.3L PSD truck. an I4 gasser just doesn't kick out that much heat on the grand scale of trucks, with the big grill opening to help things out, as already mentioned. My guage hit halfway (straight up) running from Rita, but that was stop and go, 1mph, with my clutch pedal leg about ready to fall off! The gauge usually stays pretty low, even in So Tex, but I keep things maintained.
If your truck is up in years, change the temp guage sender. After one t-stat change, that *should* click in your mind as the other part to this equation assuming all other things are in good shape.....which may be the case if you aren't requesting help on overheating.
Oh yeah, this isn't a 7.3L PSD truck. an I4 gasser just doesn't kick out that much heat on the grand scale of trucks, with the big grill opening to help things out, as already mentioned. My guage hit halfway (straight up) running from Rita, but that was stop and go, 1mph, with my clutch pedal leg about ready to fall off! The gauge usually stays pretty low, even in So Tex, but I keep things maintained.
Freshman User
Joined: Aug 2005
Posts: 26
Likes: 0
Are you concerned about how long the gauge takes to get to "normal" temperature, OR, are you not getting heat from the heater ???
I haven't paid attention (enough), BUT, I believe my '98 is putting out heat (from the heater) a couple of minutes ahead of the temp gauge getting up to normal.
Kinda like there might be a by-pass, or the like, letting coolant flow through the heater core ??????
I'll watch tomorrow morning.
In O HI O (this time of year), at 4:30ish a.m., I need a little heated air on the glass to dry it up a bit, so I can see to drive.
I changed my thermostat last season.
I wasn't getting enough heat to do much.
"It" would get warm, BUT, that's all.
I was told the thermostat defaults to open, when "they" go bad.
Thus, the no heat "thingie".
/gene
I haven't paid attention (enough), BUT, I believe my '98 is putting out heat (from the heater) a couple of minutes ahead of the temp gauge getting up to normal.
Kinda like there might be a by-pass, or the like, letting coolant flow through the heater core ??????
I'll watch tomorrow morning.
In O HI O (this time of year), at 4:30ish a.m., I need a little heated air on the glass to dry it up a bit, so I can see to drive.
I changed my thermostat last season.
I wasn't getting enough heat to do much.
"It" would get warm, BUT, that's all.
I was told the thermostat defaults to open, when "they" go bad.
Thus, the no heat "thingie".
/gene
Junior User
Joined: Dec 2004
Posts: 66
Likes: 0
My gauge also doesn't reach the halfway point. It goes to about 1/4 to 1/3 of the way up under "normal conditions."
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Junior User
Joined: Apr 2005
Posts: 61
Likes: 0
My guage is just like J7 Bones.
About 1/4 to 1/3 of the way up under almost all conditions.
2000 Mazda B3000 with 47k mi in excellent condition.
And I get what I consider poor gas mileage: 15 to 18 mpg mixed driving, but nearer to the 15 end usually.
Could the poor gas mileage be related to the engine running cool?
I've changed the coolant once, around 30K, and never had any problems at all, with cooling system (or with much else), otherwise.
matis
About 1/4 to 1/3 of the way up under almost all conditions.
2000 Mazda B3000 with 47k mi in excellent condition.
And I get what I consider poor gas mileage: 15 to 18 mpg mixed driving, but nearer to the 15 end usually.
Could the poor gas mileage be related to the engine running cool?
I've changed the coolant once, around 30K, and never had any problems at all, with cooling system (or with much else), otherwise.
matis
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New User
Joined: Dec 2004
Posts: 17
Likes: 0
From: nj
temperature 1997 2.3 ranger
I always set my odometer to zero when i gas up and figure it with a pencil for almost 9 years. Changed plugs at 60000 used regular plugs. I get 19 to 20 on average driving. Took a long trip 3 weeks ago all highway over 400 miles averaged little over 22 the best i ever get. I think a lot of gas is lost warming up at about 100000 changed water pump 3 thermostats last one a ford stat and timing belt car never took long to warm up prior. It justs automatic 2 wd and air when I use that I drop to 18 kor 19 depends on driving. Satisfied with truck
and mileage. Major problem cheap bench vinyl seat seems spreading seats are
expensive. Thinking of a new truck probaly another ranger with small engine and bigger cab for my use small aluminum boats 10 john fits in bed and 12ft semi v on trailer not much weight. My original sticker says 18 to 25 you never get what they say especially 9 yrs latter and 116000 miles will use platinum plugs if I do it there tough to reach 2 in the back. Thanks for the replies
and mileage. Major problem cheap bench vinyl seat seems spreading seats are
expensive. Thinking of a new truck probaly another ranger with small engine and bigger cab for my use small aluminum boats 10 john fits in bed and 12ft semi v on trailer not much weight. My original sticker says 18 to 25 you never get what they say especially 9 yrs latter and 116000 miles will use platinum plugs if I do it there tough to reach 2 in the back. Thanks for the replies
Elder User
Joined: Nov 2004
Posts: 759
Likes: 0
From: Ventura ,ca. (near L.A.)
I never wait for my truck to warm up i just start it and go. I drive about 3.5 miles to work and it's about an 8 minute drive in town. when i'm pulling into the driveway at work my truck is just getting to the normal temp point.
Cargo Master
Joined: May 2001
Posts: 3,208
Likes: 13
I start up and leave at 1 1/4 mile the heater is starting to blow warm air temp gauge just off cold at 3 miles gauge is at its normal point. can't be more than 4 or 5 mins. 2003 2.3 4 cyl.5 sp regular cab. 68000 miles. It is a lot quicker to warm up than my 5.0 was by about half the distance.
Postmaster
Joined: Aug 2004
Posts: 2,908
Likes: 2
From: West Mansfield, Ohio
My 95 f-150 with a 351 is warm by the time I'm out of the driveway. That thing heats up quicker than anything I've ever driven. 1/4 mile down the road and the torque converter is locking up, letting me know its up to operating temp.
Freshman User
Joined: Aug 2005
Posts: 38
Likes: 0
Originally Posted by harold j
I always set my odometer to zero when i gas up and figure it with a pencil for almost 9 years. Changed plugs at 60000 used regular plugs. I get 19 to 20 on average driving. Took a long trip 3 weeks ago all highway over 400 miles averaged little over 22 the best i ever get. I think a lot of gas is lost warming up at about 100000 changed water pump 3 thermostats last one a ford stat and timing belt car never took long to warm up prior. It justs automatic 2 wd and air when I use that I drop to 18 kor 19 depends on driving. Satisfied with truck
and mileage. Major problem cheap bench vinyl seat seems spreading seats are
expensive. Thinking of a new truck probaly another ranger with small engine and bigger cab for my use small aluminum boats 10 john fits in bed and 12ft semi v on trailer not much weight. My original sticker says 18 to 25 you never get what they say especially 9 yrs latter and 116000 miles will use platinum plugs if I do it there tough to reach 2 in the back. Thanks for the replies
and mileage. Major problem cheap bench vinyl seat seems spreading seats are
expensive. Thinking of a new truck probaly another ranger with small engine and bigger cab for my use small aluminum boats 10 john fits in bed and 12ft semi v on trailer not much weight. My original sticker says 18 to 25 you never get what they say especially 9 yrs latter and 116000 miles will use platinum plugs if I do it there tough to reach 2 in the back. Thanks for the replies
Post Fiend
Joined: Jul 2005
Posts: 8,462
Likes: 4
From: Durant, OK (SOSU)
My usual "warm up" (remember, Texas and it's still damn hot outside).
Open door, get in, step on clutch, key in, let the pumps do their thing, start engine.
Watch the gauges, everything's normal.
Radio on (turn it off before turning truck off).
A/C or heater on, as necessary. Let window defrost if necessary.
Pick a song or change CD if I need to.
Drive away.
Works fine for me, no problems from truck. 94 XLT Regular Cab 4.0L 5speed.
Open door, get in, step on clutch, key in, let the pumps do their thing, start engine.
Watch the gauges, everything's normal.
Radio on (turn it off before turning truck off).
A/C or heater on, as necessary. Let window defrost if necessary.
Pick a song or change CD if I need to.
Drive away.
Works fine for me, no problems from truck. 94 XLT Regular Cab 4.0L 5speed.
Last edited by RangerPilot; Oct 18, 2005 at 09:30 PM.
Elder User
Joined: Nov 2004
Posts: 759
Likes: 0
From: Ventura ,ca. (near L.A.)
I get in and push in the clutch and start it. With the clutch still in i'm releaseing the e-brake and shifting to 1st and then i pull out of my driveway. When i hit 3rd gear going down the street is when i adjust the climate control. It doesn't do anything the first couple minutes anways. The A/C is almost always on and i just have to move the temp know depending on the temp outside.