1990 Ranger 2.9L automatic Auxillary fan addition???
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Cross-Country
Joined: Jul 2022
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From: Houston, TX
1990 Ranger 2.9L automatic Auxillary fan addition???
Has anyone added an auxiliary pusher fan to the front of the radiator for the stop and go traffic and 110 degree Houston Augusts? If so...Can you give me the "kit" you used? If no kit...just a parts list? size of the fan? temps it turns on and off? How did you add the thermostat to control the fan coming on and off (i would like to add an additional coolant gauge to the dash in that little blank next to the vent above the stereo)? Were you able to wire it all to accommodate turning the fan on and off when the A/C compressor is on?
This little Truck has had an entire new cooling system installed, freeze plugs replaced...new fan clutch, water pump, thermostat, even the temp sensor....but it really doesn't tolerate idling during those long commute stop and goes in the Houston Traffic....So what happens is that it gets hot enough to boil the trans fluid out the vents...It legit only does it when its idling for longer than 15-20 minutes...So I think we need to add the Aux fan to help it out...
This little Truck has had an entire new cooling system installed, freeze plugs replaced...new fan clutch, water pump, thermostat, even the temp sensor....but it really doesn't tolerate idling during those long commute stop and goes in the Houston Traffic....So what happens is that it gets hot enough to boil the trans fluid out the vents...It legit only does it when its idling for longer than 15-20 minutes...So I think we need to add the Aux fan to help it out...
Fleet Mechanic
Joined: Jul 2019
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Clogging up the plumbing a bit, maybe?
I doubt your 2.9 had an auxiliary trans cooler. If that’s the case, I would find a 6.0 PowerStroke trans cooler and plumb that in. I’m assuming the radiator is new(ish) and hooked to the transmission properly.
Otherwise, I’m thinking the transmission has internal issues to be puking up fluid like that. I know hot Houston summer concrete and asphalt as well. I have never had an overheating issue from that, though. As hot as the air radiating from them is, it’s not as hot as the engine and not as hot as a transmission that’s been run for a good bit.
I doubt your 2.9 had an auxiliary trans cooler. If that’s the case, I would find a 6.0 PowerStroke trans cooler and plumb that in. I’m assuming the radiator is new(ish) and hooked to the transmission properly.
Otherwise, I’m thinking the transmission has internal issues to be puking up fluid like that. I know hot Houston summer concrete and asphalt as well. I have never had an overheating issue from that, though. As hot as the air radiating from them is, it’s not as hot as the engine and not as hot as a transmission that’s been run for a good bit.
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Cross-Country
Joined: Jul 2022
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From: Houston, TX
It has what looks like a factory trans cooler...it could be an oil cooler...but I believe its a trans cooler. This has happened 3 times so far. I do know that the dummy gauge on the dash, even with a new sensor, isn't accurate at all. it cruises at left middle of "normal"...and if it ticks to the middle of the "M"...that's when i start seeing signs of overheating...the A/C starts blowing hot...then it starts spitting up the trans fluids. But on moderately hot days, driving it around...it never gets close to that middle "normal" on the gauge until we are stopped and idling for 10-15 minutes or more...
Last edited by buzzzmea; Jan 14, 2026 at 03:22 PM. Reason: spelling
Hotshot
Joined: Jun 2015
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It obviously shouldn’t do that even with the air temperature over 100°F. The factory engine driven fan is more than enough to keep the engine cool. Do you think that putting an electric fan in front of the radiator is going to be better for airflow through the radiator? I don’t. You have something else going on with the engine that is causing it to overheat: heads, head gaskets, new thermostat has already failed…..
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Cross-Country
Joined: Jul 2022
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From: Houston, TX
I had a 1991 Ranger with the 2.3 4 banger....it never overheated like this...but it was a 5 speed manual....Two different animals...But, There are zero signs of the head gaskets being compromised...no carbon or exhaust testing in the coolant...no compression loss in the cylinders. no milk shake...no smoke...the truck runs great. the entire cooling system is brand new...new water pump, radiator, freeze plugs, t-stat, fan clutch...it only has overheated in the 110 degree summer...and one time idling for an hour when it was like 75 degrees (my kids truck and he just doesn't get that its not good to sit and listen to music with the a/c running for that long). I'm just thinking that maybe an aux fan will assist the "slow speeds" and idle cooling time.
Hotshot
Joined: Jun 2015
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New doesn’t mean it’s good. I have an ‘89 Bronco II with a 2.9L and A4LD. Granted it doesn’t get over 100° here but it never gets hot not matter how long it idles. If your positive there isn’t a head or head gasket issue then I would suspect the thermostat and or fan clutch has already failed.
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tetraruby
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