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  #1  
Old 11-28-2010, 10:45 AM
kwai chang kwai chang is offline
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Default need advice with coolant system problem

I have a 1998 Ford Ranger with a 3.0 liter V6. The radiator developed a leak and the truck ran hot while I was making it home. I replaced the radiator, radiator cap, and top hose (the bottom hose was replaced about a year ago). I flushed the cooling system with Prestone flush and refilled it. When I refilled it I did my best to make sure I got all of the air out of the system.

Now; When I check it in the morning and the engine has cooled off from driving it the day before, the overflow reservoir is full to the top and the coolant level in the radiator is low. I can top off the radiator and drain down the overflow reservoir, but the next day I find that the reservoir has filled back up and the radiator is low.

Next, I replaced the thermostat and the radiator cap (again). This did not fix my problem. The reservoir still over flows and the coolant level in the radiator still drops low.

Any thoughts?

Last edited by kwai chang; 11-28-2010 at 04:39 PM.
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  #2  
Old 11-29-2010, 04:43 PM
rangerak rangerak is offline
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Default Re: need advice with coolant system problem

You may need to replace the cap. If the seal leaks a bit the fluid can escape into the overflow tank.
R
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  #3  
Old 03-21-2013, 06:33 AM
harrty harrty is offline
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Default Re: need advice with coolant system problem

I have a 2000 Ranger with a 3.0 V6 and had the same problem. I found the waterpump was bad and all the impeller blade had deteriated with no blade left.
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Old 03-29-2013, 07:50 AM
Snake-Eyes Snake-Eyes is offline
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Default Re: need advice with coolant system problem

You probably have air in your system forcing the coolant back into the overflow tank. The bigger question is: where is that air coming from? Warped heads & blown head gasket in my case.
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  #5  
Old 03-30-2013, 03:37 PM
4x4ranger99 4x4ranger99 is offline
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Default

I have a 99 with the 3.0 and I'm having a higher temp than usual. Usually my truck runs for
Hours and hours on the "c" on my temp gauge and now it's running up into the middle range of the gauge. Is my water pump going bad, or maybe a thermostat?
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  #6  
Old 03-30-2013, 11:47 PM
pimart pimart is offline
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Default Re: need advice with coolant system problem

Quote:
Originally Posted by 4x4ranger99 View Post
I have a 99 with the 3.0 and I'm having a higher temp than usual. Usually my truck runs for
Hours and hours on the "c" on my temp gauge and now it's running up into the middle range of the gauge. Is my water pump going bad, or maybe a thermostat?

same symptoms here.. I've heard the water pumps are notorious

Is there a way to check the pump without pulling the pump out?
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  #7  
Old 04-01-2013, 01:59 PM
harrty harrty is offline
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Default Re: need advice with coolant system problem

Quote:
Originally Posted by pimart View Post
same symptoms here.. I've heard the water pumps are notorious

Is there a way to check the pump without pulling the pump out?
I haven't found any way to check other then removing it.
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Old 04-01-2013, 02:20 PM
floridacracker floridacracker is offline
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Default Re: need advice with coolant system problem

id bet money (if i had any) its your waterpump
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  #9  
Old 04-01-2013, 07:25 PM
4x4ranger99 4x4ranger99 is offline
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Well I'm hoping to replace my thermostat this week, and we'll see if that helps. So does everyone else's 3.0 usually run on cold all the time? My temp gauge used to ride just above the C all the time for hours on the highway and all of a sudden it's running in the middle now on the highway and about 1/3 of the way up in the city. I'm getting ready for a meet and I want this back to normal lol
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  #10  
Old 04-01-2013, 08:09 PM
cowboybilly9mile cowboybilly9mile is offline
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Default Re: need advice with coolant system problem

Quote:
Originally Posted by kwai chang View Post
...........................Any thoughts?
As a matter of fact, yes, I had this exact problem in the past. I'll answer this old post in hope that someone with the same problem sees this and benefits someday.

My old 94 4.0 that I bought brand new in 94 and sold in 05 did this after I replaced the radiator as a preventative measure. Of course, I didn't overheat it, replacement was just a maintenance measure in the name of reliability. After a couple of weeks of hell and confusion as to why it kept pumping coolant into the burp tank and not drawing it back into the radiator after it cooled down, I discovered that by installing a fiffy cent C clamp on the rubber line leading from the radiator to the burp tank, and installing it where this hose slipped onto the radiator, was the fix. I bought that 94 new, it was not molested or kiddie service center maintained, Ford simply never put a clamp on that connection, the hose aged and expanded, as the engine/radiator cooled, the soft rubber hose at this joint sucked air instead of coolant back into the radiator. Hose cooled, next duty cycle, coolant flowed from radiator to burp tank without spilling a single drop. Repeat, repeat, burp tank is filling.

Last edited by cowboybilly9mile; 04-01-2013 at 08:12 PM.
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  #11  
Old 04-02-2013, 09:06 AM
pimart pimart is offline
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Default Re: need advice with coolant system problem

Here's an update on what i've looked over

there's a hole in the radiator but it doesn't leak...? (weird)

I flushed the system but did have trouble getting the air out of the top inlet hose where it makes that u curve over the intake..

Not sure how well it's cooling the thermo says it heats until middle of the range and stays there.. even on freeway

Will most likely be doing radiator and water pump soon just to be on the safe side AND putting on a clamp CYA policy
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