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ford ranger over heating

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Old Nov 24, 2008 | 09:53 AM
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ford ranger over heating

i have a 1997 that is is over heating. it appears to be coming from a small pin hole from a tube that is near the water pump. cant tell if its from the water pump or not. what else could it be?
 
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Old Nov 24, 2008 | 09:54 AM
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it is where the hose from the radiator attaches.
 
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Old Nov 24, 2008 | 10:46 AM
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Welcome to FTE.

Would be helpful to know which engine you have.
 
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Old Nov 24, 2008 | 03:34 PM
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thanks for the welcome...i have the 2.3
 
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Old Nov 24, 2008 | 05:41 PM
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OK, so if you have a 97 Ranger it'll have the 2.5L engine & if it's the one in your profile, you have between 125-150K miles on it.

I'm not real clear on what your asking, your subject title is about "over heating", but you say "it" appears to be coming from a small pin hole in a tube near the water pump......, is "it", coolant thats leaking, when the engine overheats????

Do you have two problems your asking about, a engine overheating problem & a coolant leak????
 
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Old Nov 24, 2008 | 07:40 PM
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Is the overheating a result of coolant loss due to the leak? That's what you seem to be saying. How old are your hoses? The leak could be where the hose clamps on to the metal tubing or you could have corrosion between the hose and the metal that is causing the leak. How often do you have to refill the overflow tank or radiator? Is the leak a drip, drip, drip type or a stream that sprays out? Give us some more detail and then we may be able to come up with a solution.

By the way, welcome to FTE.
 
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Old Nov 25, 2008 | 06:27 AM
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ok sorry guys im not really a car person but here goes...the aluminum? tube that the top radiator hose attaches to has a small hole in it. you can see the coolant leaking out of it when you fill it. it is a steady stream and i have to fill the coolant levels everytime i drive. i was wondering is there a temp. fix or a major repair? the leak is not near the hoses, so that is ruled out.
 
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Old Nov 25, 2008 | 07:10 AM
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OK, good feedback, it sounds like your talking about the coolant outlet pipe casting, that has a hole in it. The thermostat resides behind this part, so it's removable.

I suppose you could try a temporory repair by thoroughly degreasing & roughing up the leak area with a wire brush or the like & applying some JB Weld epoxy & or a small, thin enough to form aluminum metal patch, coated on both sides, to cover the leak area & held on by the JB Weld epoxy, or a good quality acetic acid cure (smells like vinegar) RTV, that has good bonding qualities to alumnum & see if it'll hold until you can replace the casting.

If you have some "Alumaweld", or the like, aluminum brazing rod & a propane torch, you could remove the outlet pipe & try that, to overcoat & plug the leak area.

Or if money is tight for a new outlet pipe assy casting, maybe come by a replacement one from a salvage yard.

Is it leaking enough that your having a overheating problem, if so, get it fixed pronto!!!!

A bunch of thoughts for pondering. Let us know how it goes.
 
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Old Nov 25, 2008 | 07:45 AM
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Replacement thermostat housings are available from most auto parts stores. They may have to order it, and it costs about $12. I am assuming that the tube is on the engine end of the upper radiator hose...
You would have to remove the hose clamp and 3(?) 8mm or 10mm bolts. Two are visible, and the third is down low, partially hidden behind the cam belt cover.
Pawpaw is very correct to advise you to not let this run low on coolant as you will then have to spend hundreds rather than less than $20....
tom
 
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Old Nov 25, 2008 | 10:00 AM
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so what you guys are saying, not really an easy fix but a cheap one?
 
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Old Nov 25, 2008 | 10:47 AM
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Well I don't know your definition of "easy", but it's not a "difficult" job, to bolt on a new outlet casting.

While you have it opened up doing that, consider taking the time to replace the thermostat & it's gasket, if it uses one & maybe even the coolant if it's time for replacement.

Your right, it's not an expensive part, if you turn the wrenches!!!!

Let us know how it goes.
 
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Old Nov 25, 2008 | 10:51 AM
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well considering im putting coolant in it everyday, i think the coolant has changed itself(LOL). my dad is a mechanic i havent let him look at it yet im going to tell him that you guys thought it might be that housing and then see what he says and he can fix it for me. all i have to do is buy the parts
 
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Old Nov 25, 2008 | 04:01 PM
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Basically it's an easy and cheap fix for the most part.
 
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