over heating issue???

[BadRancher]

Took my Ranger out for a ride in the woods last week. got off under a hill and tried to come back up when I discovered the 4x4 not engaging. Well after multiple attempts of trying to come up the hill I finally gunned while in low range 4 (2 LO at the time) and finally got up the hill. When I got back to the barn, I parked it and heard a lot of bubbling and coolant rushing in somewhere. I didn't remember the gauge going over normal temp range, but I had other things on my mind with the 4wd not engaging also. Motor still running fine, but it has me worried.

 

[hank857]

could be several things, dirty rad, bad t-stat, low coolant, broken belt, bad rad cap. go get a pressure tester from the local auto store (free to use) and you can check several items at once. once you check the rad system for leaks, and the cap then if ok you will be on to the other things.

 

[RonD]

Its not all that unusual to hear pressure changes in a cooling system after shut down, circulation has stopped so coolant at a hot spot(next to cylinder head) expands a bit more which raise the pressure in the system a bit, which pushes some coolant out and into the overflow and can make that rushing noise.

Check the overflow hose first, make sure it is not blocked and is crack free.
System can suck air in when cooling off if overflow is not an air tight system.
Make sure the overflow tank is clean, no debris or sediment in there that could block return of coolant to rad.
And in off-roading it is very important to have a cap on the overflow tank, or coolant will slosh out.

With engine cold, mark the level of the coolant in overflow tank, tape works fine, use tape going up and down then put a mark on it, easier to see.
Drive to normal operating temp and turn on the heater to full hot(releasing any trapped air) and mark the level of the overflow tank when engine is warm.

Let it cool down and check the cold mark, see if you are losing coolant.
Also pull off the rad cap(COLD ENGINE), and make sure coolant is at the very top, no air inside.
Repeat this over the next few days, too see if system is working as it should and coolant is not disappearing.

 

[BadRancher]

I'll check into it. It doesn't do it in normal drive conditions that I'm aware of, it was just that once. Its road ready now, but its not a necessity to drive it everyday. So I can tinker with it when I have the time and capital to do so. We'll see.

 

[4.0B2]

you've got good info here..

I have the same problem, kinda... Mine just overheats on long hill climbs. High RPM's, lack of air flow doesn't help.

 

[BadRancher]

you've got good info here..

I have the same problem, kinda... Mine just overheats on long hill climbs. High RPM's, lack of air flow doesn't help.

That's pretty much what happened to me. I had to rpm it high to keep my momentum and well its a 3.0. Its 2 pistons away from bein a ford festiva motor so rpm's are a must haha. Maybe 200-250 feet up, but that's a lot in terms of a steep hill

 

[4.0B2]

I'm doing a 3.8L Taurus E-fan swap...so I can flip it over on high when offroading when needed.

 

[BadRancher]

I'm doing a 3.8L Taurus E-fan swap...so I can flip it over on high when offroading when needed.

That's actually a pretty genius solution you came up with on your problem.