billfrank85
New Member
- Joined
- Feb 15, 2024
- Messages
- 8
- Reaction score
- 0
- Points
- 1
- Location
- Carbondale, IL
- Vehicle Year
- 2001
- Make / Model
- Ford Ranger
- Transmission
- Automatic
233,xxx miles on my 2WD 2000 Ranger, 3.0, Flex Fuel.
About a month ago, I noticed that my overflow tank was bone dry and my radiator was almost empty as well. I filled both and drove it and started looking around for signs of leaks. I didn't smell coolant nor did I ever find any evidence of it dripping to the ground.
Fast forward to today, my overflow tank was again bone dry. My radiator only needed a few cups of coolant to bring it up to the neck, so I did that and filled the overflow tank, place cardboard underneath, and idled the truck until operating temps.
At this point, I started going all around the engine bay with a very bright flashlight. I made it to the passenger side and noticed visible wetness further down the block. I watched for a while and could see drops of coolant coming out and immediately getting blown away by the fan. Well, that's probably why I didn't find a puddle...
It was wet right in front of the passenger's side motor mount, and up behind the harmonic balancer etc. So, I'm guessing I get to do a timing cover gasket replacement? What else should I do while I'm in there? Timing set, water pump, etc?
From what I've read, being a 2WD makes this job infinitely harder. :/
About a month ago, I noticed that my overflow tank was bone dry and my radiator was almost empty as well. I filled both and drove it and started looking around for signs of leaks. I didn't smell coolant nor did I ever find any evidence of it dripping to the ground.
Fast forward to today, my overflow tank was again bone dry. My radiator only needed a few cups of coolant to bring it up to the neck, so I did that and filled the overflow tank, place cardboard underneath, and idled the truck until operating temps.
At this point, I started going all around the engine bay with a very bright flashlight. I made it to the passenger side and noticed visible wetness further down the block. I watched for a while and could see drops of coolant coming out and immediately getting blown away by the fan. Well, that's probably why I didn't find a puddle...
It was wet right in front of the passenger's side motor mount, and up behind the harmonic balancer etc. So, I'm guessing I get to do a timing cover gasket replacement? What else should I do while I'm in there? Timing set, water pump, etc?
From what I've read, being a 2WD makes this job infinitely harder. :/