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Anonymous Posted on Jul 18, 2014

Help not sure what to do next my 1988 ford ranger 4x4 2.9L replace radiator from a 1 inch core to a 2 1/4 inch core my temp before used to run 190 but started to over heat placed new thermostat, new radiator can clutch still good water pump replace last year don't know what to do hel

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Stephen Peter Ross

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  • Posted on Dec 27, 2014
Stephen Peter Ross
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With pump, fan clutch, t'stat, radiator cap, belts, and coolant purged of all air, the next :"normal" cause of overheat is blocked airflow through the radiator fins and AC condenser fins. Use fin cleaner-straightener and water hose flush both ways to clear completely. This is something no book or factory schedule ever mentions, presumably because mfr's want you to thing gradual degradation is normal sign to replace the truck. With 2.9L engine you will be surprised to find temp on temp gauge (if SXT) return to new-truck performance. Ranger really does have a cool cooling system of the six. T'stats are pretty durable and 190 temp does not seem to be that critical on the under temp side. I tend to change over every year anyway (with coolant change) before smog test. But that air flow really is a big factor in radiator cooling. Best place for fin cleaner is Harbor Express--they dont have ot cowtow to American car makers and parts distributors. I would post a pic but the file got carried away by someone unknown.

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  • Posted on Jul 18, 2014
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Run engine and check for flow in radiator, also check for foaming or bubbles head gasket may have blown . you my have a faulty water pump, check viscus coupling on fan drive, and belt tension

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Anonymous

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  • Posted on Feb 21, 2009

SOURCE: ford ranger truck overheating

I have had this happen with my ranger. Changed everything I could to try to fix the over heating. It turned out that I had a small leak in my head gasket and it was allowing exsaust gas to go into the cooling system witch was over pressurizing it. Also the air from the exsaust will heat up much faster than liquid making your thermostat to read hot and will not be able to blow hot air in the cab because there is no liquid going to the heater core. This happened to me when my blet came off and I tryed to make it home. If you had it over heat for a long peirod of time it may have ripped the head gasket.

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Why does my 1988 ford ranger f-150 over heat

Thermostat is stuck or the radiator or heater core is blocked up.
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I have a 1988 ford ranger 2.3l 2wd. How many lbs pressure on radiator cap should i have?

1988 ford ranger -years 1983-2011 ( sub catagory not stated so custom was selected )---12-16 psi
research shows that most fords run a cap operating at 16 psi with a minimum of 14 psi to a max of 18psi
go google and type in radiator pressure for ford ranger 1988 model and there are pages and catalogues for caps relating to ford
There is a slightly higher cap requirement for a diesel engine
go to your local radiator shop and they will have the correct cap for your radiator --prices $10.00 -$20.00 us depending on manufacturer
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Ford 302

Make sure the cooling system is not plugged up, poor coolant flow can make your engine run hot, and a plugged heater core will not allow heat in the cabin in the winter.
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Cold air works fine but my heater does not blow hot air just cold in a 1993 ford ranger

check the cooling system to make sure the system is full.next check the temperature of the heater hoses when the car is at operating temperature.they should be the same temp,if one is not as hot as the other then the heater core is plugged and will need to be replaced.you can try to run clr through the heater core to see if it will unplug the heater.the other thing is the temp door will have to be checked to make sure its moving through out its full travel by moving the temp knob/lever and looking at the door arm to see it travel full range.this is located under the dash on the passenger side on the duct work.
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My truck is running cold on the freeway but when I slow down and stop it starts to heat up a little. I changed the thermostat and am going to change the heater core could it be something else

yes could be problem with the radiator fan(s) not running at any road speed. Check the fan(s) for noise-free turning by hand. Check fan fuse and relay (swap with similar relay). Turn on the air conditioner which should immediately turn on the fan(s). Overheating while driving could very well be the thermostat--you will need to drain the cooling system before replacing the unit. Blow out the radiator core with compressed air from the engine side to remove bugs and other debris first. Hope this helps!
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The heat has gone out in my 92 ranger. There is no antifreeze leaking from heater core. used to work great. truck temp is at the right temp. too. could it be my thermostat?

no...that would effect running temperature. I would guess a clogged heater core or hose would be more likely than that. First, check the actuator on the input line to the heater core. As I recall from my '92 Ranger, it was actually vacuum driven. First step would be to make sure the vacuum line (or control wires if it's electric) is attached. If everything looked good, I would pull the valve off and apply vacuum (or voltage if electric) and see if it is actually opening. Beyond that, it may be that the heater core is clogged. Remember, the heater core is just a small radiator and the same calcification / sludge that builds up in radiator passageways causing them to clog do the same inside the heater core.
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Replace heater core

    A heater core transfers heat from a 1994 Ford Ranger's engine to the passenger compartment by running hot radiator coolant through a serpentine of tubing. Air blows past the hot fins of the heater core and into the truck cab.

    The hoses running to and from the heater core must be removed from the engine compartment, but the core itself is accessed from inside the passenger compartment, on the driver's side next to the center console.

    1. Turn off the engine, open the hood and remove the battery cable from the negative terminal. Make sure the engine is cool.

    2. Attach a 3/8-inch interior diameter hose to the drain outlet on the bottom rear corner of the radiator on the driver's side, and place the bottom end in a resealable plastic container. Turn the drain valve (located above the drain outlet) counterclockwise with a pair of pliers. Drain the engine coolant into the resealable container, then close the valve by turning it clockwise. Remove the hose from the outlet.

    3. Loosen the hose clamps on the radiator hoses where they attach to the heater core on the firewall. Remove the hoses.

    4. Unscrew the screws holding the underdash cover in place on the driver's side of the passenger compartment. Remove the underdash cover.

    5. Unscrew the four screws on the cylindrical heater core access cover and remove it. Remove the heater core by pulling it down and toward the rear of the vehicle. Replace the unit with a new heater core.

    6. Reinstall the heater core access cover and screw in the retaining screws. Replace the underdash cover and screw it into place.

    7. Replace the radiator hoses on the heater core in the engine compartment. Tighten the hose clamps. Add coolant until the level is between the minimum and maximum marks on the reservoir.

    8. Replace the battery cable and start the engine. Check the system for leaks.

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1991 3.0L ford ranger keeps over heating. I've replaced the thermostat, and all it does it make it over heat faster, so we decided to see how it will run without the thermo, it runs for about 10-15 mins of...

Pull the hoses off the radiator and run water threw it. If it doesn't come out as fast as it goes in there is your problem. some times a radiator shop can clean them. but usually when they are cleaned they leak. you may want to flush the heater core while your at it
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My ford ranger keeps running hot. I can drive it and after about 30min. there is not water in the radiator.

Ok ~ Things to check are (simplest first)
1. Examine radiator cap for damaged or leaking seals. (Have it tested at your radiator place.
2. Check for water leaks. At the radiator, rubber hoses including heater hoses. Also cabin heater radiator core.
3. Top up radiator and run engine without the cap fitted. Blip the throttle and see if any bubles or traces of gas appear when you look in the top tank. During this test, check that the top tanks turns "hot" as the thermostat opens. If not, remove and test/replace thermostat.
4. Have a "cylinder leakage test" done at your repair shop.
5. Have the cooling system pressure tested.
6. Add coooling system ceaner to the system and drive for about 30mins. Next, reverse flush radiator and engine block.

This list is in the order you need to procede, and next step should be performed only after the the preceding step tested ok.
4helpful
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Replace heater core in 1988 Ford Ranger

allow the system to cool down

take radiator cap loose to release pressure

once pressure is released tighten cap

loosen clamps on the heater hoses in the engine compartment on the pass. side of firewall.

plug or cap off the heater core tubes to prevent spillage when you pull it into the truck

place a trash bag on floorboard in case spillage occurs

remove the five screws holding the heatre core access cover, three on top and two on bottom

carefully pull heater core back and down and remove it from the dash

install is reverse

Hope this helps
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