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Hi Folks,
New member from Hawaii here. A friend gave me a 90 XLT 2WD w/auto, air conditioning, and 2.9 engine. He says it was given to him by another friend but didn't have the time to work on it. The body is in fairly good condition with no visible rust, no dings, decent interior, new tires, but could eventually use a paint job. My friend says overheating was a problem but not much more information was available. I see no oil in the water or vise versa. The heater hoses are also cut off near the firewall. Truck has sat about a year and a half and I plan to tackle one thing at a time to get her back on the road.
So far I've changed the thermostat, upper and lower radiator hoses(the lower one was ripped), flushed out cooling system(water was very dirty), replaced the brittle positive battery cable, and charged the battery. Is there anything else I should change or replace before I start her up? I'm crossing my fingers that the reported overheating problem did not affect the heads. BTW, this is my first Ranger but have driven many F150's as company trucks. Looking forward to hearing from you guys.
Thanks
New member from Hawaii here. A friend gave me a 90 XLT 2WD w/auto, air conditioning, and 2.9 engine. He says it was given to him by another friend but didn't have the time to work on it. The body is in fairly good condition with no visible rust, no dings, decent interior, new tires, but could eventually use a paint job. My friend says overheating was a problem but not much more information was available. I see no oil in the water or vise versa. The heater hoses are also cut off near the firewall. Truck has sat about a year and a half and I plan to tackle one thing at a time to get her back on the road.
So far I've changed the thermostat, upper and lower radiator hoses(the lower one was ripped), flushed out cooling system(water was very dirty), replaced the brittle positive battery cable, and charged the battery. Is there anything else I should change or replace before I start her up? I'm crossing my fingers that the reported overheating problem did not affect the heads. BTW, this is my first Ranger but have driven many F150's as company trucks. Looking forward to hearing from you guys.
Thanks
Post Fiend
Joined: Feb 2003
Posts: 6,940
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From: Eastern WA
Welcome to FTE!
I'd say your next step is to fill the cooling system and determine if overheating is a problem. I would also monitor the coolant level and oil condition to see if coolant is finding it's way into the oil. You might loosen the radiator and look to see if there is a collection of debris between the radiator and A/C condensor that will restrict airflow.
*The 2.9 is well known for cracked heads in the event of just one overheating.
I'd say your next step is to fill the cooling system and determine if overheating is a problem. I would also monitor the coolant level and oil condition to see if coolant is finding it's way into the oil. You might loosen the radiator and look to see if there is a collection of debris between the radiator and A/C condensor that will restrict airflow.
*The 2.9 is well known for cracked heads in the event of just one overheating.
Last edited by CowboyBilly9Mile; Dec 16, 2005 at 11:19 PM.
Post Fiend
Joined: Jul 2005
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From: Durant, OK (SOSU)
Yeah, be careful about it. As Cowboy said, one overheat and it's very possible your heads will crack. Hopefully nothing to that magnitude has happened to that truck.
I'll third it, put coolant it in and give it a shot. Now, to set things straight, your gauges aren't real reliable. When my truck is fully warmed up, the gauge is sitting between C and the N in NORMAL. I installed real water temp, oil pressure, and voltage gauges in the console. So remember this when you are starting it. Keep a careful eye on the truck, it could overheat while you think it's still cool or warming up.
I'll third it, put coolant it in and give it a shot. Now, to set things straight, your gauges aren't real reliable. When my truck is fully warmed up, the gauge is sitting between C and the N in NORMAL. I installed real water temp, oil pressure, and voltage gauges in the console. So remember this when you are starting it. Keep a careful eye on the truck, it could overheat while you think it's still cool or warming up.
Postmaster
Joined: Aug 2004
Posts: 2,908
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From: West Mansfield, Ohio
Pilot is right. I've got an aftermarket (cheap but it works) gauge on my truck. When the truck is completely warm (190 or so) it sits right around N on normal. Now if I block off the radiator with a piece of cardboard, at 200 degrees its sitting almost to A. Just something to look out for.
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Originally Posted by RangerPilot
Yeah, be careful about it. As Cowboy said, one overheat and it's very possible your heads will crack. Hopefully nothing to that magnitude has happened to that truck.
I'll third it, put coolant it in and give it a shot. Now, to set things straight, your gauges aren't real reliable. When my truck is fully warmed up, the gauge is sitting between C and the N in NORMAL. I installed real water temp, oil pressure, and voltage gauges in the console. So remember this when you are starting it. Keep a careful eye on the truck, it could overheat while you think it's still cool or warming up.
I'll third it, put coolant it in and give it a shot. Now, to set things straight, your gauges aren't real reliable. When my truck is fully warmed up, the gauge is sitting between C and the N in NORMAL. I installed real water temp, oil pressure, and voltage gauges in the console. So remember this when you are starting it. Keep a careful eye on the truck, it could overheat while you think it's still cool or warming up.
Also, the cooling system seems really dirty. I've even removed the plastic overflow bottle to clean it out.....had a brown film of dirt covering the entire inside. Whats the proper way to flush out the system? I've got a bottle of Prestone flush sitting on the shelf.
Thanks, Allan
Post Fiend
Joined: Feb 2003
Posts: 6,940
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From: Eastern WA
Originally Posted by FreeXLT
Wow!! I didn't realize that overheating was such a big problem on the 2.9's. The aftermarket gauge sounds interesting. Did you just disconnect the sender from the original temp gauge and connect to new one? Not much of a mechanic here so apologies for the dumb (and future dumb) questions.
Also, the cooling system seems really dirty. I've even removed the plastic overflow bottle to clean it out.....had a brown film of dirt covering the entire inside. Whats the proper way to flush out the system? I've got a bottle of Prestone flush sitting on the shelf.
Thanks, Allan
Also, the cooling system seems really dirty. I've even removed the plastic overflow bottle to clean it out.....had a brown film of dirt covering the entire inside. Whats the proper way to flush out the system? I've got a bottle of Prestone flush sitting on the shelf.
Thanks, Allan
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Elder User
Joined: Jul 2005
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From: Hudson Florida.
Originally Posted by FreeXLT
Not much of a mechanic here so apologies for the dumb (and future dumb) questions.
As for the 2.9, I'm with everyone else, fill er up, run er some, and let us know what happens.
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Proceed with caution
Thanks for the comments guys,
Looks like I'll be picking up a temperature gauge and possibly a new sending unit soon. I don't want to take a chance on any overheating issues that may sideline my new addition. I get a little **** when proceeding into uncharted territory. Oh yeah, I purchased a new radiator cap yesterday along with a new overflow tank hose. The old one was very soft and kinked before the radiator inlet.
Some more questions for you: 1) Is the Prestone Flush recommended for general cooling system cleaning? 2) what's your preferred method for cooling system flushing 3) what brand anti-freeze do you recommend?
I'll try to get her up and running running before next weekend and report back. The SO will be dragging me along on her xmas shopping escapades this coming week.........arghhhhh!!!
Allan
Looks like I'll be picking up a temperature gauge and possibly a new sending unit soon. I don't want to take a chance on any overheating issues that may sideline my new addition. I get a little **** when proceeding into uncharted territory. Oh yeah, I purchased a new radiator cap yesterday along with a new overflow tank hose. The old one was very soft and kinked before the radiator inlet.
Some more questions for you: 1) Is the Prestone Flush recommended for general cooling system cleaning? 2) what's your preferred method for cooling system flushing 3) what brand anti-freeze do you recommend?
I'll try to get her up and running running before next weekend and report back. The SO will be dragging me along on her xmas shopping escapades this coming week.........arghhhhh!!!
Allan
Cargo Master
Joined: Nov 2004
Posts: 2,858
Likes: 3
From: Friendswood, Texas
Perhaps you've done this and neglected to mention it but, I would also make sure that I changed the oil and oil filter as well. Also the airfilter. Pull the wheels off and get a good look at the brakes. Brakes aren't a problem in trying to get it running but they could be a problem if decide to take it for a spin
Be sure to let us know what happens. Price was definitley right.
Be sure to let us know what happens. Price was definitley right.
Freshman User
Joined: Nov 2005
Posts: 49
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From: Midwest
Freexlt, welcome!! and aloha. If engine has been idle for about 18 months, i would: Pull all spark plugs, squirt some penetrating oil in and let soak awhile. they tend to stick or rust when sitting so long. With plugs out put a bar on the crank bolt and see if engine turns freely, and not tight. If these things check out, then go ahead and try to see how she cranks over with starter. warm her up and change ALL fluids, especially because of your humid climate. If runs ok, do the full tune up on it, plugs, wires, etc. But again sitting so long in such a climate, i would NOT just try to go ahead and start it.