2003 ranger overheats

[fishinal]

hi all
i am new to this thread... i have a 2003 ranger that continually overheats.. we took out the thermostat and it runs fine.. i bought a new thermostat. 100 bucks.. (had to buy the whole housing unit) put it in and now the truck is overheating again... any thoughts???
thanks

 

[COPPERHEAD85]

itll help if you give engine size and as much info about your problem as you can.
iam not up on the newer stuff as alot of members are but ill try till someone chimes in that does.

what does the coolant look like(color) rusty,dirty,clean?

 

[almostclueless]

The standard cooling system troubleshooting techniques apply in many cases. Rangers by and large came with pretty capable cooling systems.

If I had a overheating ranger, I'd check;

serpentine belt condition and tension
coolant level
evidence of steam coming from the exhaust all the time
oil isn't almost white and doesn't have a lot of milky strings in it
radiator hose condition (not spongy or kinked appreciably)
radiator fins clear of debris
cooling fan clutch free of play, doesnt allow fan to spin much when engine is warm
thermostat is installed correctly and is opening
some dope didnt just do major engine work

 

[fishinal]

hi all
i am new to this thread... i have a 2003 ranger that continually overheats.. we took out the thermostat and it runs fine.. i bought a new thermostat. 100 bucks.. (had to buy the whole housing unit) put it in and now the truck is overheating again... any thoughts???
thanks

the ranger is 2003 2.5litre 5 speed with air.. the coolant is green that comes out... the water boils out of the reserve coolant plastic thing.. it actually boils, it did not do this when thermostat was removed..

 

[pacodiablo]

Either the year or engine is wrong here. 2001 was the last year for the 2.5L engine. A 2003 will have either a 2.3, 3.0, or 4.0.

If the truck is indeed a 2003, change the coolant. 2001 was the last year Ford used green coolant, at least in Rangers. 2002+ and maybe some 2001 trucks use G-05 (yellow) coolant. The first thing I'd do is a complete flush of the cooling system and get the correct coolant in there if the truck is a 2003. Zerex G-05 antifreeze is sold at Napa stores and any dealer should have Motorcraft G-05 available.

almostclueless covered the basic things you need to check.

 

[snake]

Boiling in the recovery tank could be a bad rad cap, or could be a blown head gasket (possibly). Try the cap first, its only a few bucks.

 

[dogboy]

I agree with Snake, sounds like the cap.

When the coolant gets hot, the pressure in the system keeps the coolant from boiling (that is why coolant can get up to 230-240 degrees or more without boiling). If the cap is not holding that pressure, the coolant boils (expands) into the overflow bottle before it should.

 

[PickupMan04 FX4 L2]

Boiling in the recovery tank could be a bad rad cap, or could be a blown head gasket (possibly). Try the cap first, its only a few bucks.

Damn you beat me to it.. thats exactly what it is...