Buddy needs help
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Senior User
Joined: Jan 2003
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From: The South
Buddy needs help
My buddy ran his 2000 Ranger into a ditch the other and now it is leaking fluid. He keeps talking gibberish about TWO radiators! Is that true? did they really put 2 in some rangers. Is the other one for the A/C? and is there coolant running through it or Freon?
He is thinking about just taking it out and going without A/C, which I am cool with doing for him but I havent looked at it yet and am wondering about all thats involved.
I guess my question is this... Does that path need to remain open for coolant? or is just a matter of clamping the input and output hoses?
He is thinking about just taking it out and going without A/C, which I am cool with doing for him but I havent looked at it yet and am wondering about all thats involved.
I guess my question is this... Does that path need to remain open for coolant? or is just a matter of clamping the input and output hoses?
Cargo Master
Joined: Mar 2001
Posts: 2,759
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From: Elk River, MN
Buddy needs help
There is a single engine cooling radiator. It must not leak. There is a small air to oil heat exchanger for the power steering located near the rack and pinion steering gear. It must not leak. There might be an aux transmission cooler in front of the radiator and a/c condensor. It must not leak. There might be an a/c condensor in front of the radiator. It is charged with R134A a/c coolant. If it leaks, you will not see any fluid leaking out. If you see any fluid leaks, fix the source of the leak and top off the fluid. A/C is nice to have, but I would never remove it if it did not work. What's the point of removing it on a newer vehicle.
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From: The South
Buddy needs help
the point of removing it would be that we are both college students and neither of us have a lot of cash to be throwing around.
I assume it is that A/C condenser because he claims they are metal tubes entering and exiting it. So, what should a POOR college student do? A/C is not a priority right now, seeing how it is East TN and there isnt a large call for it at the moment. Can I just connect the in and out and remove the A/C fuse so the pump doesnt run and burn out? That way it wont burn out.
Thanks!
I assume it is that A/C condenser because he claims they are metal tubes entering and exiting it. So, what should a POOR college student do? A/C is not a priority right now, seeing how it is East TN and there isnt a large call for it at the moment. Can I just connect the in and out and remove the A/C fuse so the pump doesnt run and burn out? That way it wont burn out.
Thanks!
Last edited by Ken00; Feb 13, 2003 at 07:48 PM.
Cargo Master
Joined: Mar 2001
Posts: 2,759
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From: Elk River, MN
Buddy needs help
I am not saying to fix the a/c. I am saying make sure that is what is bent and leaking. If it is the a/c condensor, the R134A is probably already gone. In that case, I would do nothing further. I would not remove anything at all. Now, you just have a/c that does not work.
Logistics Pro
Joined: Sep 2002
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From: Central KY
Buddy needs help
I take it that your buddy's 2000 Ranger does NOT have the off-road package, does it? Because in 2000, the Rangers with the off-road package had a stainless steel skid plate in the front that would have kept that very thing from happening.
THIS is why I'm trying to find a skid plate for my '99. I think I'm going to buy one for a '00 model and drill a couple holes and put it on....especially now that I heard about this guy busting up his radiator. The cooling lines on these trucks hang down WAY too far....I can see how running in a ditch would cause him to develop a leak.
THIS is why I'm trying to find a skid plate for my '99. I think I'm going to buy one for a '00 model and drill a couple holes and put it on....especially now that I heard about this guy busting up his radiator. The cooling lines on these trucks hang down WAY too far....I can see how running in a ditch would cause him to develop a leak.
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From: The South
Buddy needs help
Thanks for the help Ranger Pat.
I assumed, as well, that the refrigerant was gone. my next question is this... will it hurt his A/C Compressor to just leave the hole? or should I disconnect the power/fuses to the compressor to keep it from running? He plans on fixing this all as soon as he gets the cash to... and a broken compressor is NOT cheap... I know, I priced one for my Bronco. and if I remember correctly, isnt it harmful to run a compressor/pump when there isnt anything to compress or pump?
Again, thanks for all your help thus far!
I assumed, as well, that the refrigerant was gone. my next question is this... will it hurt his A/C Compressor to just leave the hole? or should I disconnect the power/fuses to the compressor to keep it from running? He plans on fixing this all as soon as he gets the cash to... and a broken compressor is NOT cheap... I know, I priced one for my Bronco. and if I remember correctly, isnt it harmful to run a compressor/pump when there isnt anything to compress or pump?
Again, thanks for all your help thus far!
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Senior User
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From: The South
Buddy needs help
well... I just found out about it. He already took off his radiator because he thought that was the problem. so tonight we are reattaching the radiator and refilling it.
He said that he had white smoke comin from the engine compartment. but that he couldnt see any Anti-Freeze leaking and his temp gauge was normal. I assumed that the smoke was from the Freon leaking
let me know if this sounds like a correct diagnosis.
thanks in advance
He said that he had white smoke comin from the engine compartment. but that he couldnt see any Anti-Freeze leaking and his temp gauge was normal. I assumed that the smoke was from the Freon leaking
let me know if this sounds like a correct diagnosis.
thanks in advance
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Post Fiend
Joined: Dec 2001
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From: South Jersey
Buddy needs help
The freon would have leaked out very quickly, you would not have a slow continuing leak. I don't believe the compressor will run with no charge but I would disable it just to be safe. I 'm thinking his problem is with something else.
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From: The South
Buddy needs help
despite my first post he never saw an actual leak. They just assumed the radiator had been damaged due to the white smoke and all...
I am almost positive that it was the A/C Condenser... I will probably unhook the A/C for precautionary measures to make sure I dont blow his compressor... that is a lil more expensive than we would like to cover...
I am almost positive that it was the A/C Condenser... I will probably unhook the A/C for precautionary measures to make sure I dont blow his compressor... that is a lil more expensive than we would like to cover...
Cargo Master
Joined: Mar 2001
Posts: 2,759
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From: Elk River, MN
Buddy needs help
Just disconnect the electrical connection to the a/c clutch. That will disable the compressor by not allowing the clutch to kick in the compressor. It is a two wire connection immediately behind the clutch pulley.
Trailering
Joined: Feb 2003
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From: PNW
Buddy needs help
There is a pressure switch in the system that does not allow the compressor to run unless there is sufficient freon in the system. Leaving it connected will not hurt the compressor in any way.
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From: The South
Buddy needs help
no... he actually just went ahead and drained it with out really checking. He saw that his A/C condensor was busted and assumed that he had cracked his radiator. It has been raining for the past five days on and off, and didnt think to check the wet pavement for coolant... just went ahead and drained it. He took it to the shop the other day. I guess he figured he would just go ahead and fit the bill for it...
I tried talking him out of it... but what you gonna do? Stinkin Ranger owners... ha ha ha JUST KIDDING!!!!
THanks for all your help guys. I can always count on gettin good advice in these forums.
I tried talking him out of it... but what you gonna do? Stinkin Ranger owners... ha ha ha JUST KIDDING!!!!
THanks for all your help guys. I can always count on gettin good advice in these forums.
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Joined: Feb 2003
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Buddy needs help
Why not put the radiator back in & check to see if the A/C is working? This would tell you if the condensor is ruptured. If it is, I would try to do something with it now instead of waiting. I've always been told that airborne moisture will destroy an A/C system if it's not sealed. If he can't afford to fix it now, at least cap off the lines going into & coming out of the condensor. I've seen plastic caps for this. I don't know if a parts store would have them, but an A/C specialist should. Good luck!