Thermostat problems
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Senior User
Joined: Dec 2001
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From: MN
Thermostat problems
I have a 2000 Ranger 4.0L V6 4x4 manual tranny. On my way home from buying the truck in April, the thermostat failed, temp gauge stayed on cold instead of in the middle where it normally sits, and I had almost no heat. I replaced it when I got home with one of those fail safe kind and all was well. Now, just six months later, that thermostat has failed, temp gauge rides on cold, and again I have almost no heat. What's the deal with the thermostat failing? Is it just back luck or is there another problem I need to be looking for? Thanks for your help.
Stacy
Stacy
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Joined: Jan 2004
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From: Yes
It's hard to say for sure, but are you certain you aren't loosing coolant? I'm sure you've checked the level, but that is a very short span for a thermostat, it seems like something else may be to blame here. If it were mine I'd check the coolant level first, if it was fine I'd go ahead and replace the thermostat with a genuine Motorcraft replacement, I've never had good luck with cheap replacements, although honestly I've never had one last only 6 months!
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Joined: Jan 2004
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From: SW Va
Bad luck maybe, was it a Motorcraft thermostat, or a aftermarket brand, if it was a aftermarket, was it a good quality one???? Most will warranty their product for at least a year.
How is the condition of your coolant????
Has the cooling system been flushed & the coolant changed on time as called out in the scheduled maintenance table????
Are you using the specified coolant at the specified mix ratio for this engine & are you using ANY aftermarket cooling system addtives????
How is the condition of your coolant????
Has the cooling system been flushed & the coolant changed on time as called out in the scheduled maintenance table????
Are you using the specified coolant at the specified mix ratio for this engine & are you using ANY aftermarket cooling system addtives????
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From: MN
Let me answer some of the questions.
fordboy, yes, I would assume it is stuck open. The thermostat I bought was a fail safe meaning it will stick open if it goes bad.
BSmitty, yes, I keep a pretty close eye on fluids and I've had no coolant loss at all.
pawpaw, I had Autozone special order a fail safe thermostat for me. It was like $15 so I would assume it was a decent quality one. It has no warranty on it though. When I put this one in, I drained and replaced the coolant with the specified type. Didn't do any sort of flush really, just drained and refilled. The coolant that came out looked like it had been done recently but not sure since I had just bought the truck.
fordboy, yes, I would assume it is stuck open. The thermostat I bought was a fail safe meaning it will stick open if it goes bad.
BSmitty, yes, I keep a pretty close eye on fluids and I've had no coolant loss at all.
pawpaw, I had Autozone special order a fail safe thermostat for me. It was like $15 so I would assume it was a decent quality one. It has no warranty on it though. When I put this one in, I drained and replaced the coolant with the specified type. Didn't do any sort of flush really, just drained and refilled. The coolant that came out looked like it had been done recently but not sure since I had just bought the truck.
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Joined: Jan 2004
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From: SW Va
Well sounds like the cooling system & coolant were in good condition, so you might have to chalk this one up to chance.
Think I'd go talk to the AZ store manager about that danged thermostat, seeing as how it was such an expensive special order one & you didn't & haven't let your cooling system maintenance & condition go to pot, seems to me he would warranty the part.
As I said earlier, most will warranty parts for one year. Heck for $15 bucks it's worth a try, all they can say is no!!!!!
Then you can decide if you want to throw $15 more bucks at it, with another one of their parts, or try another vendor!!!!
Think I'd go talk to the AZ store manager about that danged thermostat, seeing as how it was such an expensive special order one & you didn't & haven't let your cooling system maintenance & condition go to pot, seems to me he would warranty the part.
As I said earlier, most will warranty parts for one year. Heck for $15 bucks it's worth a try, all they can say is no!!!!!
Then you can decide if you want to throw $15 more bucks at it, with another one of their parts, or try another vendor!!!!
