another overheating problem
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another overheating problem
hi everyone. i have a 1990 ranger xlt automatic tranny with 118xxx miles on it. recently the car has been overheating and there is no heat inside the cab. yesterday i discovered there was no coolant in the radiator while driving and the car basically overheated. i pulled into a parking lot, let it cool down, refilled coolant, and the temp. returned to normal. also the heat started working again. then i went to work (i am a pizza delivery guy) and gradually overnight the average engine temp. was higher than normal.
so i'm thinking maybe some blockage? or a bad radiator? any help is greatly appreciated
so i'm thinking maybe some blockage? or a bad radiator? any help is greatly appreciated
Posting Guru
Joined: Mar 2005
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From: Dexter, MI
How often do you check the coolant level in the overflow container? Are you losing coolant slowly or very rapidly. Start watching for signs of leakage around hoses, the water pump, in the engine oil, blowing past the radiator cap or around where the head and block meet. It sounds like you aren't checking the coolant level very often. Keep an eye on it.
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well i bought the truck like one or two weeks ago so i'm still learning all the little things that i need to keep an eye on. two days ago i came very close to overheating it, but my brother helped me out and showed up with 2 gallons of coolant.
i do know a bit about cars, but i'm not the smartest so: when the engine is cold, should the overflow reservoir for the coolant have any in it at all?
i do know a bit about cars, but i'm not the smartest so: when the engine is cold, should the overflow reservoir for the coolant have any in it at all?
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Joined: Feb 2006
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From: SE Michigan
Also in this cold weather you could check to see if the "white cloud" from the exhaust is taking a long time to dissipate into the air. If it hangs around a long time and if it looks thicker than the exhaust from other cars, (especially after it's been warmed up for a half hour or more), you may have a coolant leak in a head gasket or a cracked head. The exhaust will also have kind of a sweet smell that isn't like the normal smell. You could also check the compression of each cylinder as well, and pressure check the cooling system to see if anything shows up in the way of leaks. You didn't say which engine your truck has. If it's a 2.9 V6, those heads are prone to cracks. Overflow tank should be about 1/3 to 1/2 full. Some tanks have a full line on them.
Posting Guru
Joined: Mar 2005
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From: Dexter, MI
" well i bought the truck like one or two weeks ago so i'm still learning all the little things that i need to keep an eye on. two days ago i came very close to overheating it, but my brother helped me out and showed up with 2 gallons of coolant.
i do know a bit about cars, but i'm not the smartest so: when the engine is cold, should the overflow reservoir for the coolant have any in it at all?"
You should have some coolant in the overflow reservoir, I think the cold mark is about 1/3 the way up from the bottom.
By the way, what size engine do you have?
I would suggest you start by flushing out the cooling system and then pressure test it. Back flush the heater core while you are flushing the rest of the system Also, you should test the pressure cap on the radiator. Fill the cooling system with fresh coolant, if everything checks out OK.
Let us know how you make out.
i do know a bit about cars, but i'm not the smartest so: when the engine is cold, should the overflow reservoir for the coolant have any in it at all?"
You should have some coolant in the overflow reservoir, I think the cold mark is about 1/3 the way up from the bottom.
By the way, what size engine do you have?
I would suggest you start by flushing out the cooling system and then pressure test it. Back flush the heater core while you are flushing the rest of the system Also, you should test the pressure cap on the radiator. Fill the cooling system with fresh coolant, if everything checks out OK.
Let us know how you make out.
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Post Fiend
Joined: Jan 2005
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It could be a bad thermostat, but the first thing it's to make sure you have no visible leaks, like hose's, radiator or water pump.
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ok so i replaced the thermostat and refilled the coolant and ran it to get any air bubbles out. let her warm up then took her out for a spin. she was fine when drivin around, coolant temp stayed near normal. however when i got back to my apt and put her in park she started getting hot, so i gave the engine some gas, up to about 1500 rpm. this caused the coolant to go back down.
i'm stumped
i'm stumped
Elder User
Joined: Jan 2004
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From: Yes
What engine do you have? That question is vitally important. This sounds very suspiciously like you're leaking compression into the cooling system. Have you noticed a scum under the radiator cap, like an oil residue? Is there white goo under your oil cap? A little white scum is normal in the cold, but more than a little is a bad sign. Is your oil milky? Rust or condensation up near the top of the dipstick? If you have a cracked head or blown head gasket, you're wasting your money on a new thermostat and water pump. Any engine can crack a head or blow a gasket, but the 2.9l (very common engine in '90) is legendary for head problems. This is why several people have asked which engine you have.
Posting Guru
Joined: Mar 2005
Posts: 1,533
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From: Dexter, MI
Hay jubagel,
We've covered about every possibility. It's obvious we're trying to help you, but we need your help. Please tell us what engine you have, in fact, it's a good idea to add some info about your truck to your signature. That way it shows every time you ask a question.
I know you are new to the site and there is a lot to learn. We all are here to help, so help us out.
We've covered about every possibility. It's obvious we're trying to help you, but we need your help. Please tell us what engine you have, in fact, it's a good idea to add some info about your truck to your signature. That way it shows every time you ask a question.
I know you are new to the site and there is a lot to learn. We all are here to help, so help us out.
