Engine temp rising/falling

[runnert]

Hey,

Did some searching and didn't find any info. My ranger temp seems to rise and fall suddenly. I had this problem over the summer and found that the clutch fan was bad. I replaced it and seemed to have fixed the problem. Now it seems the problem is back. Yes, it could be the fan again but I checked it and it seems to run as the day I put it on. Any thoughts? Also, when I am at highway speeds, the engine temp drops down almost to the "C". When I sit in traffic, the gage will slowly rise to about halfway and then drop back down to its usual location.

Thanks,

runnert

[MAKG]

The stock (or any electrical) gauge is not trustworthy, and "C" is not a temperature.

You need a mechanical temperature gauge if you really want to know what's going on.

Note that SOME cycling is normal. The thermostat does not open or close instantaenously.

[Zer0PSI]

The stock (or any electrical) gauge is not trustworthy, and "C" is not a temperature.

You need a mechanical temperature gauge if you really want to know what's going on.

Note that SOME cycling is normal. The thermostat does not open or close instantaenously.

"C" means cold or cool there bud. And electric temperature gauges work just fine.

[MAKG]

"C" means cold or cool there bud. And electric temperature gauges work just fine.

And just how many degrees is that?

And which vehicle do you have that has an absolutely perfect electrical system? How do you know this electrical gauge is making perfect contact everywhere, and that its biasing voltages are correct? Is the problem noted related to engine coolant at all or is it just the voltage regulator cycling (normally or abnormally)? Mechanical gauges don't have these variables.

[samsonitesamsonite]

man you don't want to argue with mike on this one, he's right.

[gettle03FX4LevelII]

what year is your truck i had a 93 that did it from the day i bought it to the day i sent it to the bone yard. I never had an issue with over heating or anything of that sort. I pretty much ignored it.

[Rocky Ranger]

Hey,

Did some searching and didn't find any info. My ranger temp seems to rise and fall suddenly. I had this problem over the summer and found that the clutch fan was bad. I replaced it and seemed to have fixed the problem. Now it seems the problem is back. Yes, it could be the fan again but I checked it and it seems to run as the day I put it on. Any thoughts? Also, when I am at highway speeds, the engine temp drops down almost to the "C". When I sit in traffic, the gage will slowly rise to about halfway and then drop back down to its usual location.

Thanks,

runnert

It sounds like a perfect case of low air flow through the radiator. As in: the fan clutch to a crap on you. I gave up on the part store clutches and bought a Ford unit after three Kragen auto parts fan clutches failed in two years, and that took care of it.

[rags]

I had the exact same problem with my 94, did it for 2 years, Finally after 2 thermostats, 2 temp senders, I found it to be the heater core was not flowing enough. I tried flushing it, didn't work. I replaced it and all has been well now. You could check yours by looping the heater hoses and runinng it for a couple days. Just take the heater hose from the water pump and hook it to the intake.