2002 Ranger thermostat

[coolbrze]

2002 Ranger 2.3L 4 cylinder 5 spd manual - engine temp gauge isn't going up much. I assume thermostat is shot. What temp t-stat do I need and could anyone give me directions on replacing? Thanks in advance.

 

[faststang90]

if its not getting hot i would not do any thing to it.

 

[88B2EB]

My Ranger's a '94 but is otherwise identical to yours and the temp reading is always low. I replaced the thermostat about 10 years ago and it made no difference. I think it's common with the 2.3L.

 

[magnetnerd]

'95 2.3 here, replaced the thermostat twice now (once because I thought it was broken for the same reason you did and the second time because I was replacing the timing belt and it was easy to get to), it's always read very low. I don't think I've ever seen it reach halfway up the gauge, actually.

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[hoosier1104]

Mine runs about 210-220 but I think it is because I have a V8 under the hood.

 

[Rose2300]

You guys with the old lima engines have nothing in common with the 01-11 2.3 DURATEC engines. The only thing similar is displacement.

 

[coolbrze]

I've had this truck for 6 years. It's always read slightly under the middle of H & L. Now it's barely above L, seems to get slightly worse gas mileage also.

 

[88B2EB]

You guys with the old lima engines have nothing in common with the 01-11 2.3 DURATEC engines. The only thing similar is displacement.

Oh... Thanks for clarifying that.

 

[robertc1024]

I've had this truck for 6 years. It's always read slightly under the middle of H & L. Now it's barely above L, seems to get slightly worse gas mileage also.

If the t-stat is bad, and you are running cold, you will get worse gas mileage. I'd get a candy thermometer or something, get your truck hot (or as hot as it will get), pull the rad cap (with a towel over it or something so you don't get sprayed) and check the temperature of your coolant. If it's way less than your t-stat temp, its probably not working correctly. Of course, you can always test it in a pan of water on the stove.

 

[doorgunner]

robert..............I always take the rad cap off first....then warm up the engine with a thermometer in the radiator neck.....

my concern would be that his thermo is stuck OPEN....but it could manage to close....and then get stuck closed---causing some BAD overheating!!!

 

[Rose2300]

Of course, you can always test it in a pan of water on the stove.

IIRC you can't test duratec thermostats in water, because the housing and the t stat are one unit in these engines? I dont think thats why it cant be tested as such, but i remember reading about it in a thread... i could be wrong though.