gurggaling sound in coolant system

[stuntman]

I have a 96 ranger,I changed out the thermostat,now I have a gurggaling sound in the coolant system.Is it an air pocket? It also starts to get hot when I am stopped at a red light. Then when I go to take off it starts to cool back down.

 

[Curious Hound]

I read a few threads a while back that indicate that air bubbles in the coolant are common on these engines. It has something to do with how the heater hoses run. I haven't had the problem yet. Get the air out and see what happens to the temperature anomalies you are seeing.

I installed a coolant flush "tee" in one of my heater hoses. That gives me a place to vent the air when I fill the system. The flush and fill kits at your local parts store only cost a few bucks.

Eric B

 

[RonD]

Remove rad cap
Loosen and pull off either heater hose at the fire wall
If there is a Valve on the heater hose push it open(move it) with your finger, it is vacuum operated you can't hurt it.
That should let any air out
Put heater hose back on
Top up Rad

Gurgling sound usually means hot spots from air OR lack of cooling.
When engine is shut off coolant stops flowing, no water pump, so if there was any air or hot spots the coolant in that spot will flash to steam, making that gurgling noise

Leave rad cap off and start COLD ENGINE, no coolant should be pushed out, if so you may have a cracked head or blown head gasket, more on that later
let engine run a bit and and top it up, put cap back on

Getting hot at idle when stopped is classic sign of failed Fan clutch, after engine is warmed up, 10-20 min drive, shut off engine and pop the hood
Try to spin the fan, it should NOT spin, you should be able to move it but it will be stiff, hard to move, if not then replace fan clutch


head/gasket issue
get a latex glove or balloon
Remove rad cap, COLD engine
Remove Overflow hose from rad cap opening, plug this opening with vacuum cap, or gum or putty or ????
Put latex glove over rad cap opening and seal it with a rubber band, or put balloon over rad cap opening

Disable SPARK, unplug coil pack(s), you want a No Start

Crank engine over and WATCH the Glove
If it bounces then you do have a cracked head or head gasket issue
If it just lays there then you do NOT