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  #1  
Old 05-15-2010, 11:50 AM
firefighter4co21 firefighter4co21 is offline
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Default 3.0 engine and coolant problems any ideas?

I have a 1999 Ford Ranger with the 3.0 flex fuel engine. I bought this truck with a possible blown head gasket or a cracked head. The owner told me that it would blow antifreeze back out of the overflow tank. I got the truck and the antifreeze was rusty brown. I did some checking and it seems that this was a problem in the 3 liter engines. I was told the water pumps would rust out. I flushed out the radiator and put in a new thermostat. It also had a odd radiator cap on it. I have run the truck with the radiator cap from my other ranger. After I have done this the truck runs fine with maybe a little miss in it. I ran a compression test on it and all were between 95 and 115 psi. Is this acceptable for compression? I am planning to put in a new water pump but want to make sure the motor is not shot before I put the time and money into a new water pump. Any ideas or insight would be appreciated.
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Old 06-19-2010, 07:44 PM
muck63080 muck63080 is offline
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Default Re: 3.0 engine and coolant problems any ideas?

Common? lol i am having the same problem after replacing water pump and head gasket. I even pulled the thermostat out and it does ok unless it sits idling. if you find your problem please post. if i find mine i will let you know. thanks.
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Old 06-19-2010, 08:07 PM
FireRanger FireRanger is offline
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Default Re: 3.0 engine and coolant problems any ideas?

You're unlikely to get an answer from him considering the several other threads he started about this problem that went in 15 different directions at once...
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Old 06-19-2010, 09:08 PM
DHEM DHEM is offline
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Default Re: 3.0 engine and coolant problems any ideas?

well if its blowing coolant into the overflow its got either a bad head gasket or cracked head. The rust might be becuase of a bad rad cap. Rust needs oxygen to form, the cab might be letting some in. If the water pump was bad it would leak. i would fix the bad head gasket or cracked head problem, replace the rad cap and flush out the coolant.
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Old 06-20-2010, 05:05 AM
firefighter4co21 firefighter4co21 is offline
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Default Re: 3.0 engine and coolant problems any ideas?

The rust was from the water pump. That was a common problem on the 3 liter engines. I replaced the pump and the fins on the pump were almost rusted completely off. I had a friend who had one that rusted the fins all the way off. It seems that the water pump has actually solved the problem so evidently the water pump just wasn't moving enough coolant. I will not be suprised if I have to replace the heads though since it got hot enough to boil over but for now I have my fingers crossed and she is runnin fine.
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Old 06-21-2010, 10:25 AM
speedshine speedshine is offline
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Default Re: 3.0 engine and coolant problems any ideas?

I went through this on my truck. Replaced the radiator cap, radiator, water pump, head gaskets (one was blown), and I had a fitting on the front of the intake that sprung a leak so replaced that as well. The hoses on the top of the intake had also sprung leaks. I just bipassed that because it is just there to run water around the throttle body.

All is well now.
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  #7  
Old 06-22-2010, 05:35 AM
firefighter4co21 firefighter4co21 is offline
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Default Re: 3.0 engine and coolant problems any ideas?

I am guessing I will still have to put head gaskets or heads on it but hopefully it will keep running for a while til fall or winter when I have more time to work on it.
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Old 06-22-2010, 08:22 AM
FireRanger FireRanger is offline
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Default Re: 3.0 engine and coolant problems any ideas?

You'd be surprised what a beating it can take. I'm baffled mine is still in once piece after what happened to it in November. If mine's still kicking, you're will probably go forever too.
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Old 06-27-2010, 05:05 AM
firefighter4co21 firefighter4co21 is offline
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Default Re: 3.0 engine and coolant problems any ideas?

Well I am going to keep running her til something happens. The check engine light is on but I havent pulled the codes off to see what they are showing. Every once in a while the engine will miss for a few seconds then runs fine again. That is the reason I am guessing I will still have to do something too it. Just want it to keep ticking for a little longer til I have a little more time to rip into it.
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Old 06-27-2010, 08:46 AM
FireRanger FireRanger is offline
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Default Re: 3.0 engine and coolant problems any ideas?

That stupid light comes on for a lot of things that are completely unrelated to the previous problems and a lot of things that have little to no effect on operation so don't worry too much. Read the code, it will probably be something dumb.
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How to: Aux light wiring, relays, & fuses
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Info: HID Projectors
How To: NO HEAT Troubleshooting Guide
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  #11  
Old 06-30-2010, 11:41 AM
AguyfromTexas AguyfromTexas is offline
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Default Re: 3.0 engine and coolant problems any ideas?

I had this same problem after running e85 in my truck once. Mechanic told me I had a cracked block or blown head gaskets and it would be about $1500 bucks. This truck has 150,000 miles and so I didn't feel like spending that kind of money. Tried a few of the liquid sealers and they would work for a week or so. I replaced the radiator and the water pump after the pressure from the air blew out the radiator! A buddy of mine found a post from an old mechanic, he said use KW block sealant (one in a can about $10) only don't flush as they suggest on can, but leave it in with only water. I did and the truck has run great since then for about 15,000 miles! It got all or most of the compression back, I did replace a spark plug wire that was causing some missing. It is well worth trying before spending big bucks on a rebuild. The post suggested running it for 500 to 1000 miles before draining and flushing, however I have just left it in and don't have any problems. I will flush when winter comes back around and add anti-freeze.
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  #12  
Old 09-04-2010, 11:37 AM
firefighter4co21 firefighter4co21 is offline
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Default Re: 3.0 engine and coolant problems any ideas?

Well the truck finally ran bad enough that I decided to do something about it. Engine code showed cylinder 1 misfire. Short version of story ripped down top end. New head gaskets and heads. Got it all put back togather but still has same little miss in the engine. Then the engine ran terrible and would stall out. Unhooked mafs and the engine ran fine. Put a new mafs in and ran ok for maybe 20 min then when you rev it up it stalls out. Unhook the mafs revs fine. It still always has just a little miss in the engine but won't throw any codes. Any ideas why when unhooking the mafs it runs ok.
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  #13  
Old 09-04-2010, 11:38 AM
firefighter4co21 firefighter4co21 is offline
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Default Re: 3.0 engine and coolant problems any ideas?

Also new plugs and wires.
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  #14  
Old 09-04-2010, 12:23 PM
FireRanger FireRanger is offline
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Default Re: 3.0 engine and coolant problems any ideas?

I'm confused, you tore down the top end for a cylinder one misfire??? Either the #1 spark plug or the #1 injector are fucked up.
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2003 Edge 4.0 4wd

How to: Aux light wiring, relays, & fuses
Info: 300+ intake threads here on FRF
Info: HID Projectors
How To: NO HEAT Troubleshooting Guide
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  #15  
Old 09-04-2010, 12:38 PM
firefighter4co21 firefighter4co21 is offline
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Default Re: 3.0 engine and coolant problems any ideas?

Thats not the reason I tore it down thats just the only thing code that was showing. I said short version of story. Head gasket was blown. It was leaking into the number one cylinder causing misfire. Only problem now is engine stalls out when you rev it up.
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