i was driving today and notice my temp gauge getting to almost red and i pulled over and i still had fluid in reservoir cap was popped off and fluid everywhere on the engine. any one know what to do? kinda urgent

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2000 Ranger XLT 3.0 flex

is there oil in the coolant of vise versa? that could be a headgasket issue

or possibly a thermostat?

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Dave K
2011 Ford Ranger 4x4 Sport 4.0L "Dixie"
Rancho Suspension/Auto/3.73's/Pinstriped/Flowmaster SS Exhaust.

FUTURE: 3' Body Lift/32's/Windshield Visor/Brush Guard.

That what happens when it overheats. It exits through the tank like that.

First things first, you need to refill it before driving again.

- On a cold engine, fill the radiator completely. Leave the cap off.
- Start the engine and let it warm up.
- As it warms up, the level will drop as coolant circulates. Keep topping it off.
- Once it is stable, or may even begin to rise out, put the cap back on.
- Fill the tank 1/2 way.
- Done.

Then you need to figure out why it overheated. What were the driving conditions? Air temperature, speed, uphill, towing, etc? As your filling it, and afterwards, look for air bubble coming out too, which is a sign of a blown head gasket. Check the oil to see if there are signs of coolant mixed in it.

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(Formerly)
FireRanger
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

from what i see.. no oil in collant or coolant in the oil and the driving conditions.. very low hills, i take it slow in my truck since gas prices, and no bumps to hit it off or anything.

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2000 Ranger XLT 3.0 flex

well thermostat is real old.. gonna replace that with the seal around it.. it looked rusty with some kind of brown sludge ( lighter than oil)

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2000 Ranger XLT 3.0 flex

welp, flushed radiator and truck temp plays from 1/2 way up to 3/4 now.. almost back.. thank god for no blown head gasket

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2000 Ranger XLT 3.0 flex

glad you fixed it with no serious issue

Ok... I'm having same sort of issue with loosing coolant and all that. I have replaced thermostat, radiator and cap, and water pump. Still loosing coolant... Everytime I shut off the engine after running long enough to warm up I can hear a loud bubbling sound and air coming through the overflow tank... From what I have read on here it sounds like my head gasket might be blown...
The part I don't understand is my oil level is fine, and there is no foam or froth or anything weird with my oil.
The other thing I did notice is a drop in fuel mileage from average of 22 to 18 mpg.
Any thoughts?
Thanks

Its gotta be a blown head gasket and/or maybe a crack in the head

East Bound and Down

I'm having a similar problem and suspect a blown head gasket. However, I never let the truck overheat. I did drive it on a 300 mile one-way trip in very cold/nasty snowy conditions to attend a funeral. After the trip up, I discovered the overflow reservoir cap blown off and expelled antifreeze sortof yellowish in color (I had performed a flush and fill about 4 months prior and used green antifreeze). The radiator antifreeze was still green. I can drive 3 miles to attend church without any problem. But when I get one block from home on the way back the temp. gauge drops to C and then rises above normal rapidly. Then I'm home and when I check under the hood, the cap again is blown off and antifreeze (nasty color) is spewed all over the passenger side under the hood. At first I thought the AT transmission cooler inside the radiator went but no milkshake on the trans dipstick and it shifts fine. No white smoke out of the tailpipe and no mud or elevated level on the oil dipstick. Engine doesn't miss a beat either, still runs great. But now the antifreeze is no longer green. It is a nasty brown. Water pump was changed about 2 years ago. Has been a great truck but does have some miles on it (165K). Seems like if I need head gaskets, tearing it down to do that -- might as well rebuild it or just put in a rebuilt long block. I've read so many forums -- people saying anything from cracked heads to modulator valves, and it is driving me crazy. I really like this truck. Too bad, ford no longer makes the ranger for us here in the US. Next order of business is purchasing a block tester and "sniffing" for exhaust gases. Anyone have any luck with this aparatus? Or any other ideas or similar experiences, for that matter? Thanks!

air in the system forcing the coolant out. Blown head gasket & warped heads in my case.