changing thermostat

[User Name missing]

'96 ranger, 2.3. I drained the anti-freeze and flushed the system this weekend. I took the upper rad. hose off and was goin to replace the thermostat, but do I need to remove (what Im guessing is) the timing belt cover to get to it? If so, how do I remove the cover? I couldn;t get it off cause of the pulley right in front of the cover.

 

[4b316]

You can get it off without pulling the cover but you have to be careful getting it back on square.I usually just pull the cover out a little and change it.Do it on a warm day or with the motor warm so you won't snap the cover.Take your time.

 

[User Name missing]

thanx. I'm gonna give it another shot tonight. however, could someone tell me what size sockets to use on the therm. housing bolts so I'm at least not fumbling around with that. I'll already be working blind because of that darn cover.

 

[4b316]

Some are 10 mm and some are 8 mm

 

[User Name missing]

10mm......think the water pump broke. Does the (2) lower hoses (lower rad. hose/one from firewall) connect to the water pump? whatever they connect to needs replaces. damn thing nearly crumbled apart.

thanx again for the help

 

[modelageek]

my thernastat housing bolts were 8mm

 

[4b316]

There is a plastic pipe ,that hooks to the water pump,under the alternator bracket that if it gets very hot,it gets brittle and breaks apart with movement.There are two 8mm bolts that hold this on.Kind of tought to get to but you can see it a little better from the passenger side fenderwell if you pick up the rubber flap. not one of Fords better ideas.

 

[User Name missing]

actually the Y pipe is metal. Thats what rusted out, broke and dumped the remaining coolant/mostly water on my head. Got er all fixed, had to drive 50 miles to get the damn part......almost had to drive another hr & half for the $9 O ring, but the ford guy hooked my up with a free one. new bolts was in some town I've never heard of, but just ended up reusing the original bolts. I'll should never have to change it again. Hind sight, I shoulda just paid the money and replaced the water pump. With roughly 120k, I imagine it'll need replaced soon............

 

[scotts90ranger]

that's the lesson I learned to keep some form of non corrosive fluid in the cooling system, my thermostat neck is about to crumble too... best to keep the green stuff in it, even if it is NASTY stuff to work with