Engine temp gauge heats up, radiator does not get hot, 1992 Ranger 4.0L

[Rum Runner]

I can use some help. I have a 1992 Ranger 4.0L that I drove to test out it's new fuel pump. When returning home the coolant reservoir overflowed after the engine idled several minutes in the driveway. A few days later I replaced the thermostat. It did not solve anything. The engine heats without warm water to the radiator or heater. Can a water pump go bad without leaking or making noises? The vehicle has sat garaged several years. I have never had a clogged radiator and there is no signs of corrosion within the radiator that can be seen. There is no signs of coolant in the oil at 230k miles. Thank you for your time.

 

[pentode]

Any chance that cooling system ever had stop leak run through it? I would drain out the coolant and run a garden hose through the radiator and see if it's actually flowing.
If the fins are completely worn off the water pump impeller it's possible for it to turn without moving any coolant but that's unusual, especially on a water pump designed to handle coolant with silicates. I'd check the rad and hoses for obstructions first. Good luck!

 

[alwaysFlOoReD]

My race truck impeller came of the shaft. After thinking about it it was because I had pure water in it and it was semi frozen when I started it. And yes, there is no noise.

 

[Rum Runner]

Any chance that cooling system ever had stop leak run through it? I would drain out the coolant and run a garden hose through the radiator and see if it's actually flowing.
If the fins are completely worn off the water pump impeller it's possible for it to turn without moving any coolant but that's unusual, especially on a water pump designed to handle coolant with silicates. I'd check the rad and hoses for obstructions first. Good luck!

That's an interesting thought. Yes, I have used stop leak in the past but I don't think I used it in the 1992 Ranger cooling system. Today I ran the engine a minute without the radiator cap and the coolant came thru the fill neck. How long should it take for a 195* thermostat to open up after a cold start and running in Park? It doesn't seem like the thermostat is opening, and it's new. Thanks for your reply.

 

[Rum Runner]

My race truck impeller came of the shaft. After thinking about it it was because I had pure water in it and it was semi frozen when I started it. And yes, there is no noise.

Race truck? If this truck doesn't act better I might cut the fenders out, put on big tires and head for a figure 8 track. I use distilled water, a little Red Line Water Wetter and a little conventional green antifreeze in the cooling system. On the 1992 Ranger radiator the drain plug is a little weird so I use a hand pump to remove the coolant. Works great.

 

[alwaysFlOoReD]

Try the glove test. Cold motor, tape a rubber glove around the fill neck. Plug the overflow. Start it up. If it pulsates there is combustion gases getting in. You can pull sparkplug wires to isolate.