Ive had my 08 ranger 4.0 about 8 months now and noticed that the level in the coolant recovery bottle has gone down about 3/4 inch. Cause for concern? Thanks!
08 Ranger Sport 4.0
4x4

 

I would not be that concerned for .75 of an inch in 8 mounths -thats about what you would expect

 

Well imo it would depend on how fast, or steady the coolnt level is dropping. If it's been dropping a little faster lately, or continues, I'd have the Dealer check it out & to get it on record!!!!!

Right now, I might fill the recovery tank to the half way point & measure what it took to get there, record that info, then mark & date the tank & watch it over the next month or so.

My then new 99 4.0L, had it's engine replaced with a new factory crate one, by the Dealer & Ford, for another problem, only to begin "sipping" coolant a moth later, just like yours is doing.

I watched it for 3 months & it continued it's sipping use at about the same rate.

Decidedto take it to the Dealer to get the problem on the record, "just in case".

The Dealer couldn't find a leak, but added dye to the coolant & marked the tank & told me to drive it & see if it would contiue to sip coolant & if so, to return & they would check for leaks with their "black light", a UV light that would make the coolant dye glow a bright yellow/green at the leak.

We never found that danged leak, even pulled the spark plugs to look for combustion chamber, or spark plug deposits...nothing.

Ford changed the head gaskets, that didn't do it, so they replaced both heads, that didn't do it, replaced the head gaskets on the new heads, that didn't do it, then in 02 they replaced the head gaskets again, with "revised" head gaskets & that finally seems to have solved the problem.

Long story short, if it's sipping coolant, it might be a real pain to find, so maybe consider getting it on record, just in case & be prepaired to be patient while they try to run it down .

I will say that the Dealer & Ford never tried to dodge my problem, nor to put me off, or give me the run around, or try to minimize it in any way, but it took from the spring of 00, until the fall of 02, to finally get it put right & I had to be persistant in taking it back when it continued to slowly sip coolant & bite my tongue, while they went the next step.

The factory told me they had been having head casting problems & were aware of "porous" heads causing my kind of problem & I suppose thats why they decided to change the heads on my then new factory crate engine, but it didn't help, but they were just as persistant at trying to fix it, as I was in taking it back, but what a pain it all was!!!!

I know mine is a pushrod 4.0 & yours is a OHC 4.0, but if it's a casting, or head gasket issue, you may be looking at the same type of problem, so be prepaired to be patient on the troubleshoot!!!!

Just some happenings for pondering, let us know how it goes.

 

Thanks SOB and Pawpaw...The coolant has gone down at a steady pace. Pawpaw, how much did you loose and how fast?... thanks

 

Well initially in the month & a half after they replaced the engine, it was about 1 qt in 6 weeks & initially I thought maybe it was just the cooling system burping & maybe it was partially that, as it slowed to about a half qt in 6 weeks & that was when I finally got the Dealer & Ford involved & it stayed at about 1/2 qt over a 6-8 week period, until they installed the "revised" head gaskets in 02 & it has been leak tight since.

 

Not normal. Get it to dealer before a big problem develops.

 

Replaced coolant 3 years ago and haven't added but a couple ounces since. My '99, 3.0auto just doesn't seem to lose coolant and we have plenty of 80 and some 90 degree days in western pa. Has 96,000 mi., too.

 

I guess im wondering if my 3/4 inch loss is common or should there be no loss at all. I really dont want the dealer to touch it unless its a major problem, as they already goofed up on my first oil change ... (put in 5-20w in my 4.0 instead of the recommended 5-30) thanks in advance!

 

IMO that coolant loss isn't normal.
Is it time to get all worked up over it, well maybe not just yet. Depends on how long you've been watching it drop.

If your that reluctant to take it in, mark & date the tank level, then watch it for a few weeks & see what gives. if it continues to drop, get that puppy back to the Dealer pronto!!!!

The Dealer guys that change your oil, aren't the same as the Tech's turning the wrenches on your ride.

I'd be seriously considering having the Dealer look at this & to get it on paper that the problem exists, just in case of problems down the road, you'll have it documented.

 

Have the thermostat housing checked, mine was leaking. From what I was told, it's pretty common in the 4.0 SOHC.