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12-13-2009, 03:41 PM
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How to Improve Cooling?
First post here...I have a 1988 Ranger, 2.9L V6 with 116300 miles on it. I drove it over 120 miles just the other day (highway) and it never heated up at all. It had plenty of coolant in it but I was going up a snowy, crappy hill pushing it pretty hard yesterday, in 3rd gear, 4 low. It got real hot and boiled over both times I tried that hill yesterday even though it was only 10 degrees or so outside. We took my buddy's Tacoma up later and worked the crap out of it for 45 minutes trying to get back on the road after we slid off and it never even heated up. Any suggestions on things I could do to keep it cool when I'm working it hard? Performance radiator maybe? I found a Dillon radiator that's 18x18x2.25, I think the stock one is 18x18x1.25. thanks
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12-13-2009, 03:55 PM
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Just zip-tie it
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A bigger rad is what i would try first, you could try to change out the thermostat too, but that might make you truck run pretty cold in winter.
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SOLD:'05 2wd Ranger xl with the 3.0
MODS-Alpine head unit, throttle cable mod, Black Rock wheels, FX4 lvl II axle swap, pooleo's camo painted bezel and mustang dome, painted/aftermarket headlights/tails fold-a-cover and over 100 hp in stickers
'86 AMC Eagle and '01 Grand Prix GTP
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12-13-2009, 04:01 PM
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Ford Ranger Driver
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It's normal for it to run alot hotter than normal at low speeds when the engine is being worked hard. There's no airflowing through the rad to cool it down.
First thing I'd ask is how old is that coolant? Replace the coolant.
2nd: how's that fan clutch doing? is it doing it's job? Maybe replace the fan clutch for good measure.
3rd: look into possibly swapping in a 4.0 radiator. It's a larger, deeper radiator with more passes back and forth to help cool the fluid even more.
Something I'd also suggest is adding an actual temp gauge. And aux temp gauge so you can read the temp more acurately. Some of these engines are totally normal running at 210 all the time.
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'01 XLT disguised as a '03 Fx4 Level II.
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12-13-2009, 05:19 PM
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Ford Pickup
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Quote:
Originally Posted by Fx4wannabe01
It's normal for it to run alot hotter than normal at low speeds when the engine is being worked hard. There's no airflowing through the rad to cool it down.
First thing I'd ask is how old is that coolant? Replace the coolant.
2nd: how's that fan clutch doing? is it doing it's job? Maybe replace the fan clutch for good measure.
3rd: look into possibly swapping in a 4.0 radiator. It's a larger, deeper radiator with more passes back and forth to help cool the fluid even more.
Something I'd also suggest is adding an actual temp gauge. And aux temp gauge so you can read the temp more acurately. Some of these engines are totally normal running at 210 all the time.
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+1 Def should try the coolant and fan clutch. And if that doesnt help much try about a 180 degree tstat. Be careful and dont let it stay hot long. Those 2.9s are nutorious for head cylinder failure.
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12-13-2009, 08:07 PM
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I knew those motors were notorious for going bad once over-heated so I had to stop and hike the rest of the way up the mountain... Coolant was put in the day before. Like I say we went and got the Tacoma, worked it harder for longer and it had no problems. I'll try a bigger radiator, and maybe a thermostat too. thanks.
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12-13-2009, 08:22 PM
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Ford Pickup
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Try a new fan clutch thats another possibility. I had that problem with my 85. It would overheat on the highway in 100 degree weather. Put a new one on and it stays around 185-190.
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12-13-2009, 08:30 PM
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Ford Ranger Driver
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^^Yeah...I suggested it because it could be in 'neutral' all the time not providing any cooling. It's cheap and pretty easy to replace...and good insurance before you start trying to fit a radiator.
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'01 XLT disguised as a '03 Fx4 Level II.
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12-13-2009, 10:05 PM
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thanks maybe I'll try that first and see if that takes care of the problem. This truck is going to be a major project so I don't mind putting the bigger radiator in it.
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1988 Ford Ranger
2.9L V6, 5 spd. Manual (220,000 Miles)
2" Lift
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12-14-2009, 07:46 AM
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Ford Motor Company
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Was the temp. gauge in the red? My 86' would spit out coolant but the temp gauge would read normal so i replaced the radiator cap and it was fine.
That old truck might have nasty stuff in the radiator. i would flush it.
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'86 Ford Ranger Super Cab 4x4
2.9 V-6
6in Suspension lift
500 watt JL audio amp
Rockford Fosgate 10" sub
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New Holland Red
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12-14-2009, 07:48 AM
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1st clean the radiator
2nd - check viscous fan
After that you can look at the cowling, etc. Bigger radiator will help, but if the viscous and cowling is working as it should you will be fine with your current setup
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Christo Davids
Ford Ranger 2005 Supercab XLT 4x4 - 2.5 TDI SA Spec
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12-15-2009, 11:30 AM
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diMwit
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Flush it and check the fan clutch. Thermostat and cap are also suspects. Your 2.9 shouldn't need anymore radiator than what it's got. (well Utah is kinda hot, maybe)
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'88 STX Super Cab 4x4
2.9 5spd 180,000 miles
Crappy Paint, Worn Parts,
Fix'em as they Break
when Nowhere is Now Here
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12-16-2009, 10:49 AM
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Learning to use the forums
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FYI, an easy way to tell if the clutch fan is not working is to run the car until at or above the time the fan clutch should be engaged, shut off the engine and watch the fan. if the fan continues to rotate after the engine is stopped, it will be the fan clutch.
I have removed the fan and clutch altogether and replaced it with an electric fan with an adjustable thermostat from Flex a Lite. Works perfect and cools the engine fast.
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12-16-2009, 11:36 AM
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Ford Pickup
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Quote:
Originally Posted by snakemandingo
FYI, an easy way to tell if the clutch fan is not working is to run the car until at or above the time the fan clutch should be engaged, shut off the engine and watch the fan. if the fan continues to rotate after the engine is stopped, it will be the fan clutch.
I have removed the fan and clutch altogether and replaced it with an electric fan with an adjustable thermostat from Flex a Lite. Works perfect and cools the engine fast.
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Not to mention a few extra horses. That's my next upgrade.
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12-20-2009, 10:46 PM
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Yeah I checked it out and the fan clutch is most definately bad. Good thing is I know where I can get one for free. I just need to go borrow the tool to get them on/off and I'll be good to go. Thanks for the info
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1988 Ford Ranger
2.9L V6, 5 spd. Manual (220,000 Miles)
2" Lift
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