Changing Coolant

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Nov 16, 2005 | 02:17 PM

wtroger

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Joined: May 2001

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Changing Coolant

I have a 2003 ranger 2.3L 2 wheel drive I would like to change out the coolant(its the wrong color) but the shop manual says you can only get 80% out with the engine in the truck (can you believe this crap) Does anyone know of away to get a complete drain, so I do not have to go throught the refill procedure 2 or 3 times with straight water trying to get it diluted enough that it doesn't matter.
PS it doesn't appear to have a drain plug on the block.

Nov 16, 2005 | 02:28 PM

ColonyPark

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What coolant does it have now?

Nov 16, 2005 | 04:26 PM

frankenbroncoII

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Joined: Jul 2003

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From: north carolina

if you want to flush your system with raw water, take off the top radiator hose and goose neck from the engine, remove the t-stat and take the lower radiator hose off the water pump, take a water hose and leit it run into the engine until clear water runs out the pump. you can flush the radiator same way.

Nov 16, 2005 | 04:28 PM

frankenbroncoII

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Joined: Jul 2003

Posts: 649

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From: north carolina

do this with the engine off also you putting water in where the t stat was
you will need a new t stat and gasket, just a couple of buchs availabe at any parts store.

Nov 17, 2005 | 01:10 PM

wtroger

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Well the whole issue is it is not a 2 dollar thermostat. It is combination lower raditator hose and thermostat assembly that is "Not serviceable" and to get the 80% drain you have to remove the lower radiator hose from the T-stat housing. All this horse crap so they could save a 5 cent drain plug. It is supposed to have Ford Gold antifreeze in it what is in there is Green I do not know if it is a mix of gold and green or straight green.

Nov 17, 2005 | 01:17 PM

amish77

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Joined: Oct 2004

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From: Seneca, SC

sure the gold isn't there for a reason? I've always been leery of changing colors. I thought that they made 'em that way for the same reason that ATF changed to that mercron and dextron and whatever other alien names they could give it.

Nov 17, 2005 | 01:18 PM

ford390gashog

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Joined: Jan 2004

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From: Brentwood,CA

there is a much easier way to do this. remove the lower radiator hose. then upper flush with water throught the radiator from the top opening. then find where your heater core hose is on the engine disconnect it. use a garden hose to push water through it. it will remove all coolant form the engine. it will drain out the bottom radiator hose.