1999 Ford Ranger Cooling System - Truck Repair Advice


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1999 Ford Ranger Cooling System

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freewheelin
New User

Mar 12, 2012, 8:56 PM

Post #1 of 3 (4262 views)

1999 Ford Ranger Cooling System	Sign In

I have a 1999 Ford Ranger, 3.0L, 242,000 miles. Drove it 40 miles could smell antifreeze, the overflow rubber hose disconnected from the radiator and antifreeze came out the plastic connection. Truck was over heated. Towed it to mechanic. He pressure tested the cooling system, no leaks. He thought it was a plugged radiator because it was hot on one side and cold on the other. That seemed to help but next day when starting it cold the temp gauge stayed cold for about 4 minutes then leaped up to hot then back down to center where it should be. I thought maybe the thermostat was sticking so replaced it. But no luck. When starting cold the temp gauge will stay cold for 3-4 minutes, air is cold also, and then gauge shoots up to past center then back immediately to center. I checked the overflow reservoir after driving 40 minutes and bubbles were coming up from the bottom. Any ideas???

nickwarner
Veteran / Moderator
nickwarner profile image

Mar 13, 2012, 1:24 AM

Post #2 of 3 (4216 views)

Re: 1999 Ford Ranger Cooling System	Sign In

was this a steady stream of bubbles that increases with RPM or the occasional burp. You may have an airlock in the system that is causing these temperature spikes. How bad did you overheat this thing? If you can be sure all the air pockets are bled from this you're going to want to hook a combustion leak detector onto the cooling system and test for a blown head gasket.

freewheelin
New User

Mar 13, 2012, 6:55 AM

Post #3 of 3 (4207 views)

Re: 1999 Ford Ranger Cooling System	Sign In

The was able to drive the truck when it overheated, it registered just under the red line on the gauge and I drove it at about 30mph to get to my destination, about 20 minutes. Did not lose much water. I only observed the bubbles with the engine off, it was a steady stream and decreased gradually with time. I will check it with the engine running and see if the bubbles increase with RPM. Will see if I can get the air pockets out if there are any and have it tested for a blown head gasket. Thank you for the advice.

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