• Welcome Visitor! Please take a few seconds and Register for our forum. Even if you don't want to post, you can still 'Like' and react to posts.

2.5L ('98-'01) Well, found out why my heat wouldnt work....


Cowboy Jim

Member
Joined
Dec 1, 2023
Messages
35
Reaction score
32
Points
18
Location
Tylertown Mississippi
Vehicle Year
2000
Make / Model
Ford Ranger
Transmission
Automatic
This is the OEM water pump that came on the truck when it was new 23 YEARS AGO!!! No leak or slop in the shaft, just the vanes all wore off. Kinda thinking I may need to go back to Ford and ask for a refund! Only lasted 23 years! LOL.
 

Attachments



RonD

Official TRS AI
TRS Technical Advisor
Joined
Jun 2, 2012
Messages
25,363
Reaction score
8,372
Points
113
Location
canada
Vehicle Year
1994
Make / Model
Ford
Transmission
Manual
Galvanic corrosion is a bitch, lol

I would imagine the changing of the coolant every 2 years was skipped a few times in 23 years :)
 

Cowboy Jim

Member
Joined
Dec 1, 2023
Messages
35
Reaction score
32
Points
18
Location
Tylertown Mississippi
Vehicle Year
2000
Make / Model
Ford Ranger
Transmission
Automatic
Galvanic corrosion is a bitch, lol

I would imagine the changing of the coolant every 2 years was skipped a few times in 23 years :)
I have had the truck about 5-6 years myself. Previous to that I cant speak for. But 23 years on a water pump, aint no way in hell I can lay a bad eye at that. lol
 

19Walt93

Well-Known Member
Ford Technician
V8 Engine Swap
Joined
Nov 13, 2018
Messages
4,526
Reaction score
4,484
Points
113
Location
Canaan,NH
Vehicle Year
1993
Make / Model
Ford Ranger
Engine Type
V8
Engine Size
351
Transmission
Automatic
2WD / 4WD
2WD
Total Drop
3"
Tire Size
235/55R16
My credo
If you don't have time to do it right will you have time to do it over?
It would be a good idea to thoroughly flush the system, including pulling the block drain and back flushing the heater core, and refilling using either premixed coolant or concentrate with distilled water. And flush it again next year.
 

Cowboy Jim

Member
Joined
Dec 1, 2023
Messages
35
Reaction score
32
Points
18
Location
Tylertown Mississippi
Vehicle Year
2000
Make / Model
Ford Ranger
Transmission
Automatic
It would be a good idea to thoroughly flush the system, including pulling the block drain and back flushing the heater core, and refilling using either premixed coolant or concentrate with distilled water. And flush it again next year.
Already went thru and did all that, just used regular water tho.
 

19Walt93

Well-Known Member
Ford Technician
V8 Engine Swap
Joined
Nov 13, 2018
Messages
4,526
Reaction score
4,484
Points
113
Location
Canaan,NH
Vehicle Year
1993
Make / Model
Ford Ranger
Engine Type
V8
Engine Size
351
Transmission
Automatic
2WD / 4WD
2WD
Total Drop
3"
Tire Size
235/55R16
My credo
If you don't have time to do it right will you have time to do it over?
Already went thru and did all that, just used regular water tho.
If your water came from a well like mine it, loaded with minerals that'll clog things up, if it's city/town water it's apt to have chlorine in it, which is corrosive. Might be worth a drain and refill to save future headaches.
 

scotts90ranger

Well-Known Member
RBV's on Boost
Joined
Feb 28, 2001
Messages
8,081
Reaction score
4,430
Points
113
Location
Dayton Oregon
Vehicle Year
1990, 1997
Make / Model
Ford
Engine Type
2.3 (4 Cylinder)
Engine Size
2.3 Turbo
Transmission
Manual
2WD / 4WD
4WD
Total Lift
6
Tire Size
35"
Dumb question, aside from no heat were there any other symptoms? Seeing that makes me question the pump on my '97... trying to remember if I changed the pump when I did the thermostat and timing belt early on... the dumb thing will run to thermostat temp when it's over 50F out and sit perfectly solid on the gauge or the OBD II app fluctuating a couple degrees but under 50 it stays at the low end of the gauge (forget what temp, I've looked...) unless I block off most of the (new) radiator
 

Cowboy Jim

Member
Joined
Dec 1, 2023
Messages
35
Reaction score
32
Points
18
Location
Tylertown Mississippi
Vehicle Year
2000
Make / Model
Ford Ranger
Transmission
Automatic
Dumb question, aside from no heat were there any other symptoms? Seeing that makes me question the pump on my '97... trying to remember if I changed the pump when I did the thermostat and timing belt early on... the dumb thing will run to thermostat temp when it's over 50F out and sit perfectly solid on the gauge or the OBD II app fluctuating a couple degrees but under 50 it stays at the low end of the gauge (forget what temp, I've looked...) unless I block off most of the (new) radiator
Actually no. Engine wasent running warmer than normal or anything. How I found it was by first disconnecting the 2 hoses that run to the heater core, then attaching a water hose and back flushing the core out really well. Then I stuffed the hose in the radiator filler neck and left it at a slow trickle and started the engine. Once I found out which of the 2 ports was the pressure side for the heater core, I re-attached that 1 side and fired the engine back up. With the return hose off coming back out of the core, but pressure side hose connected to the core, I couldnt get anything back out of the core with the return side disconnected still.....IE not enough pressure to push it thru the core. ((That water diverter valve was removed years ago so that isnt in the equation at all)). So once I hit this stage, literally the water pumps failing to produce enough pressure was the only possible thing left that it could be. Also, if you go to change your water pump, might be best to go ahead and order another of these (shown in pic) for the fact that with as old as these lil trucks are, the plastic is brittle and the mounting ears break off all too easily. That pipe assembly costs about $35. Its what goes from the water pump and then to the lower radiator hose. Also, dont know about yours, but the thermostat housings on this little 2000 model Ranger are a bit of a pain in the ass to get to. I pulled out the old T stat and when I put a new one in, I bought an inline T-stat housing from Summit Racing (pic shown). Just cut the upper radiator hose and put it inline there. Takes the old standard Chevy 350 thermostats and is incredibly easy to get to now as its right up on top. Just screws apart in the middle and can pop it in literally in less than 5 minutes.
 

Attachments

Last edited:

scotts90ranger

Well-Known Member
RBV's on Boost
Joined
Feb 28, 2001
Messages
8,081
Reaction score
4,430
Points
113
Location
Dayton Oregon
Vehicle Year
1990, 1997
Make / Model
Ford
Engine Type
2.3 (4 Cylinder)
Engine Size
2.3 Turbo
Transmission
Manual
2WD / 4WD
4WD
Total Lift
6
Tire Size
35"
I don't think I have that dumb plastic pump inlet but I haven't looked in a while, I have a coworker with a '99 that does and he replaced it with the aluminum Dorman version...

That inline thermostat deal is interesting, would definitely make that more simple...

I'll have to look into things a bit more at some point, too many irons in the fire at the moment but appreciate the feedback!
 

Cowboy Jim

Member
Joined
Dec 1, 2023
Messages
35
Reaction score
32
Points
18
Location
Tylertown Mississippi
Vehicle Year
2000
Make / Model
Ford Ranger
Transmission
Automatic
I don't think I have that dumb plastic pump inlet but I haven't looked in a while, I have a coworker with a '99 that does and he replaced it with the aluminum Dorman version...

That inline thermostat deal is interesting, would definitely make that more simple...

I'll have to look into things a bit more at some point, too many irons in the fire at the moment but appreciate the feedback!
Yes the Dorman metal one I got is the fix for my Ranger.
 

Sponsored Ad


Sponsored Ad

Staff online

Today's birthdays

Member & Vendor Upgrades

For a small yearly donation, you can support this forum and receive a 'Supporting Member' banner, or become a 'Supporting Vendor' and promote your products here. Click the banner to find out how.

Latest posts

Truck of The Month


Mudtruggy
May Truck of The Month

Recently Featured

Want to see your truck here? Share your photos and details in the forum.

Follow TRS On Instagram

TRS Events

25th Anniversary Sponsors

Check Out The TRS Store


Sponsored Ad


Sponsored Ad

Sponsored Ad


Amazon Deals

Top