Overheating Mystery

[Tomm1468]

If radiator inlet hose & side tank get hot after warmup;
I suspect it's a bad TempSensor or Wiring or Gauge.

i was thinking the same thing, so hopefully, when the new sensor gets here on Monday it will work. if not, ill be back.

 

[Shran]

You need to get an actual temperature reading... I would recommend buying an infrared thermometer, they're like $30 at Harbor Freight. Get a temp reading on the heads, thermostat housing, etc while it's "hot"... you may find that your gauge is just not working.

Also I would focus on fixing that MAF issue too... that won't cause overheating problems but it's not doing you any favors unplugged. I'm kind of shocked that it runs well enough to drive like that.

 

[Tomm1468]

yeah it runs great while unplugged. but I got a new OEM Motorcraft sensor installed, and were still overheating.
I drove it on the freeway today, and that kept the temp steady, but still overheats while idle, or driving at sub 50mph speeds.
does that mean my new clutch fan is faulty? or am I looking at a radiator problem?

 

[Bird76Mojo]

Usually when the fan clutch fails, you'll see a black colored discharge around the center of the fan clutch. A tell-tale sign...

 

[Ranger850]

Dumb question, but do you have the fan shroud off?

 

[Tomm1468]

Dumb question, but do you have the fan shroud off?

not a dumb question when trying to figure out whats wrong. my shroud it on.

 

[Tomm1468]

Usually when the fan clutch fails, you'll see a black-colored discharge around the center of the fan clutch. A tell-tale sign...

hmmm, there is a bit of black on the fans that I was wondering how it got there, since those are brand new fans with less than 100 miles on them, but i didnt really think too much about it.
but it is still super stiff. would it still be stiff if it was broken?

 

[Bird76Mojo]

It's probably fine if it has a decent amount of resistance to turning.

If your new fan clutch is still under warranty, you could always try to take it back in exchange for another one. Just to eliminate that as a possibility.

I wonder about your belt routing, but maybe that can't be backwards on your model of Ranger. I'm not sure..

 

[Tomm1468]

It's probably fine if it has a decent amount of resistance to turning.

If your new fan clutch is still under warranty, you could always try to take it back in exchange for another one. Just to eliminate that as a possibility.

I wonder about your belt routing, but maybe that can't be backwards on your model of Ranger. I'm not sure..

i think the belt routing is fine, i just followed the diagram on the sticker under the hood. and heres a picture of right at the fan area where the clutch comes together.

 

[Tomm1468]

and another, you can see the black around the edge.

 

[Bird76Mojo]

Check the front of the clutch fan, right at the center. See if there's an oily black residue.

 

[19Walt93]

yeah it runs great while unplugged. but I got a new OEM Motorcraft sensor installed, and were still overheating.
I drove it on the freeway today, and that kept the temp steady, but still overheats while idle, or driving at sub 50mph speeds.
does that mean my new clutch fan is faulty? or am I looking at a radiator problem?

It sounds like insufficient air flow and your fan clutch would be my first suspect. A defective new part is unfortunately not a rare thing.

 

[franklin2]

You can waste a lot of time and money relying on the factory temp gauge. I would get a second opinion from a infrared thermometer like someone else mentioned. Just to make sure the gauge is not lying to you.

 

[DILLARD000]

It sounds like insufficient air flow and your fan clutch would be my first suspect. A defective new part is unfortunately not a rare thing.

Don't recall if Tomm1468 installed a new Radiator or if this is an old\original Radiator?
If it's old\original, inspect front side for RoadDebris, could be clogged up fins blocking air flow?

 

[Tomm1468]

It sounds like insufficient air flow and your fan clutch would be my first suspect. A defective new part is unfortunately not a rare thing.

unfortunately. so i ordered a new clutch fan, hopefully the only other part i have to order.