I have a 1989 Ranger 2x4, 2.3l that is getting hot in these hot summer days. I thought it was the thermostat since I can't remember the last time it had been replaced so I put a new one in the other day. That did not seem to help.

Whenever the temperature gauge starts to climb above normal I will cut the heat on high and the gauge will immediately drop back down to the normal range.

Anybody have any ideas on what I should check next? Fluid level is full with new thermostat. I am thinking the cooling system might need to be flushed since it could be plugged up somewhere.

Thanks,
Ryan Crickenberger

 

I can't say this is your problem, but my 90 2.9 gets hot some days because of a defective fan clutch. To check it, just try to turn fan on a hot day or after engine is warm. Fan shouldn't turn (if good belt is adjusted correctly). Justtwocentworth

 

Pull the radiator out, wrap a rag around the end of a garden hose and stuff it into the bottom (outlet) of the radiator.

Backflush the radiator thoroughly, then flush it in the reverse direction, and then check for junk inside the lower passenger side tank. Very often people dump stop leak into these trucks and that is where it ends up.

Anything you see inside the lower hose connect (outlet) should be grabbed and pulled out. If there is still a problem with radiator flow, take it to a shop to have it rodded out.

The best solution is to blow 130 bucks for a radiator that has not been ruined by an idiot prior owner!


*Normally stop leak is dumped into these trucks because of a hose that connects underneath the intake manifold, that sooner or later leaks. It's better to get in there and fix that hose than pour garbage into the radiator praying that it will work...


GUESS HOW I KNOW THIS?

Stupid people never have good trucks!


The prime "TELL" here, is that there is enough coolant flow that your heater core makes a difference.
QED: The radiator is plugged!

 

Greywolf, I couldn't have said it better! Radiator stop leak and fix-a-flat, permatex form-a-piston, trans stop leak, and all those miracle repairs in a bottle are junk - when you put junk in, you have junk. Why patch what should be properly fixed? It's like takeing ibuproffin when you have a broken arm instead of getting it set in a cast.

 

I look back on what happened with my own truck - undoing what was done to it by ignorant people.

I offered that (above) from direct experience, and I hope it helps a lot!

NEVER TRUST WHO HAD IT LAST

"Common sense is not common - STUPIDITY knows no bounds..."