Overheating 2.3
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From: Mount Airy, NC
Overheating 2.3
My truck is overheating when I'm sitting still for a couple of minutes, like at a stoplight, or at a drive thru. Oil level is fine, coolant is fine....all the general things you think to check have all turned out ok. In my experience with water pump problems in other vehicles, I've always seen coolant on the ground, but not in this case. I'm not a mechanic, (YET, lol) so I was wondering if there is anything else I need to check, but I'm thinking maybe thermostat problems. Any ideas?
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From: Durant, OK (SOSU)
When the truck is warmed up, grab the upper radiator hose. If it's really warm/hot, thermostat is opening properly.
Check the fan. When the engine is cold, it should rotate fairly easily by hand. When the engine is warmed up, it should take quite a bit more force (still easily done with your fingers) to move it.
Check your radiator. Air trapped inside, fins that are bent, etc. Look inside and see how it looks.
Done anything to the cooling system lately? It might have air trapped inside and need to be burped.
Check the fan. When the engine is cold, it should rotate fairly easily by hand. When the engine is warmed up, it should take quite a bit more force (still easily done with your fingers) to move it.
Check your radiator. Air trapped inside, fins that are bent, etc. Look inside and see how it looks.
Done anything to the cooling system lately? It might have air trapped inside and need to be burped.
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From: Mount Airy, NC
Now, how did I know the first answer would come from you? lol. Thank you very much.
I'll check those things out and see. I haven't done anything to the cooling system since I've had the truck (1 year in May)
I'll check those things out and see. I haven't done anything to the cooling system since I've had the truck (1 year in May)
Post Fiend
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From: Durant, OK (SOSU)
Because I have no life lol...
If you haven't touched the cooling system since you got it, in addition to doing these checks, check the color as well. Coolant eventually goes bad and unless you know what the previous owner did for maintenance, it's a crapshoot as to how the truck has been taken care of.
If you haven't touched the cooling system since you got it, in addition to doing these checks, check the color as well. Coolant eventually goes bad and unless you know what the previous owner did for maintenance, it's a crapshoot as to how the truck has been taken care of.
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From: Aurora
Originally Posted by RangerPilot
Because I have no life lol...
Blackie96, I've heard of impellor(probably mis-spelled) erosion, but it's unlikely. The clutch fan should kick in when idling since there's no forced air through the rad like when at highway speeds. When she's overheated, shut her down and try to spin the fan. It should'nt freewheel at all and feel like a clutch is engaged.
Just a thought of course
Fred
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From: Mount Airy, NC
Originally Posted by fflintstone
Well then, you're in good company,lol.
Blackie96, I've heard of impellor(probably mis-spelled) erosion, but it's unlikely. The clutch fan should kick in when idling since there's no forced air through the rad like when at highway speeds. When she's overheated, shut her down and try to spin the fan. It should'nt freewheel at all and feel like a clutch is engaged.
Just a thought of course
Fred
Blackie96, I've heard of impellor(probably mis-spelled) erosion, but it's unlikely. The clutch fan should kick in when idling since there's no forced air through the rad like when at highway speeds. When she's overheated, shut her down and try to spin the fan. It should'nt freewheel at all and feel like a clutch is engaged.
Just a thought of course
Fred
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From: Mount Airy, NC
Well, I noticed today while I was out that I didn't hear the fan, and when it's cold, it's not really hard to turn, but not alltogether easy either. But then again, she didn't seem to start overheating either. I hate it when I mention something and all of a sudden it stops! (when you go to the mechanic, it never seems to make that noise!!) 
Last edited by blackie96; Apr 19, 2007 at 03:40 PM. Reason: forgot something
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From: Mount Airy, NC
Originally Posted by RangerPilot
It doesn't so much matter what the fan does when it's cool, but what it does when the engine is fully warmed up, that matters.
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From: Mount Airy, NC
I just thought of another thing I wanted to ask...(yeah, I know, I'm just full of it..LOL) but I need to take the grill off tomorrow to measure it, and when I tried yesterday so I could show my b/f how to do it, I overlooked some screws, or something, but for whatever reason, it wouldn't budge. I can't find my Haynes anywhere, and my b/f is a Pontiac man, so I don't know if he's ever taken one off of a truck period, let alone a Ranger.
Post Fiend
Joined: Jul 2005
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From: Durant, OK (SOSU)
Do you have this grille?
If so, there are four screws at the top holding it in place. Remove all four screws, then pivot the top of the grille outwards until you can see down the back of it. At the bottom there should be two tabs, one on each side, holding it in. Carefully work them loose (they're attached to the header panel which is fiberglass), they should pop off with some effort, and the grille comes straight out.
EDIT: The four screws are hidden under the chrome trim peice above the grille, by the way.
If so, there are four screws at the top holding it in place. Remove all four screws, then pivot the top of the grille outwards until you can see down the back of it. At the bottom there should be two tabs, one on each side, holding it in. Carefully work them loose (they're attached to the header panel which is fiberglass), they should pop off with some effort, and the grille comes straight out.
EDIT: The four screws are hidden under the chrome trim peice above the grille, by the way.