Ford Ranger Forum - Forums for Ford Ranger enthusiasts!

Go Back   Ford Ranger Forum - Forums for Ford Ranger enthusiasts! > >
Forgot Password? Join Us!

Welcome to Ford Ranger Forum

Reply
 
Thread Tools Search this Thread

  #1  
Old 12-11-2011, 02:04 PM
dalebradford dalebradford is offline
Learning to use the forums
 
Join Date: Nov 2011
Posts: 7
Default 2.3L Coolant Issues

I have a 1986 Ford Ranger 2.3L 4 cyl. I just tore apart the coolant system due to the fact that the coolant gauage wasn't reading, however when we pulled the sensor, and warmed it up with a torch the gauge started to read, there is good ground all ready where the senesor screws into the block.... we eplaced the water inlet, t-stat, and the heat tubing... We also blew out the heater core, and flushed the radiator.. Still the gauge doesn't read, adn I get warm air at best out of the vents. I put it back together like it was taken apart.. however the own prior to me was not a very good mechanic... Do you know where i might find the coolant flow diagram to make sure i have the heater core hooked up correctly, etc.

Thanks
Dale
__________________
Dale Bradford
1986 Ford Ranger
2.3L 4 banger
A4LD Automatic Tranny
Reply With Quote
  #2  
Old 12-11-2011, 05:10 PM
FireRanger FireRanger is offline
Blinded by the light
 
Join Date: Sep 2009
Posts: 7,674
Send a message via AIM to FireRanger
Default Re: 2.3L Coolant Issues

Based on your engine being a 4-banger, it is likely your water pump impeller is rotted out. The gauge sender and heater core are at the end of a very long and high push. When the pump rots out, the design of the 4cyl cooling system prevents circulation from reaching the heater core and the gauge sender. Your symptoms are classic.

Run through the no heat troubleshooting guide I made and I suspect it will lead you right there.
>>> http://www.fordrangerforum.com/how-s...ing-guide.html <<<
__________________
(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
Reply With Quote
  #3  
Old 12-12-2011, 07:35 AM
tbirdsps tbirdsps is offline
Like the Forums
 
Join Date: Dec 2011
Posts: 34
Default Re: 2.3L Coolant Issues

1. A water pump with a rotted impeller would cause overheating.

I had the same problem. The gasket that seals the thermostat to the top of the t-stat housing was bad allowing the coolant to bypass the thermostat. Now I have heat and the gage comes off the cold mark.

On the 2.3 and I would imagine the 2.5 would be the same the t-stat has to have a seal.
__________________
1992 XLT SWB 2.3 5 speed
1992 Thunderbird 3.8 LX
1990 Corvette Coupe L98
Reply With Quote
  #4  
Old 12-12-2011, 08:07 AM
FireRanger FireRanger is offline
Blinded by the light
 
Join Date: Sep 2009
Posts: 7,674
Send a message via AIM to FireRanger
Default Re: 2.3L Coolant Issues

Quote:
Originally Posted by tbirdsps View Post
1. A water pump with a rotted impeller would cause overheating.
Negative. On the 4cyl's, the impeller rotting out presents itself exactly as I described. If the impeller was completely gone, it would cause overheating. But it rarely gets that far due to the other symptoms that present while it is only partially rotted away (no heat and low temp reading).
__________________
(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
Reply With Quote
  #5  
Old 12-12-2011, 08:20 AM
tbirdsps tbirdsps is offline
Like the Forums
 
Join Date: Dec 2011
Posts: 34
Default Re: 2.3L Coolant Issues

Quote:
Originally Posted by FireRanger View Post
Negative. On the 4cyl's, the impeller rotting out presents itself exactly as I described. If the impeller was completely gone, it would cause overheating. But it rarely gets that far due to the other symptoms that present while it is only partially rotted away (no heat and low temp reading).
OK. I've never had the problem so I'll accept it but why? Does it move too much water when corroded? e.g. overcooling?
__________________
1992 XLT SWB 2.3 5 speed
1992 Thunderbird 3.8 LX
1990 Corvette Coupe L98
Reply With Quote
  #6  
Old 12-12-2011, 11:21 AM
FireRanger FireRanger is offline
Blinded by the light
 
Join Date: Sep 2009
Posts: 7,674
Send a message via AIM to FireRanger
Default Re: 2.3L Coolant Issues

Quote:
Originally Posted by tbirdsps View Post
OK. I've never had the problem so I'll accept it but why? Does it move too much water when corroded? e.g. overcooling?
No, it can't push it far and high enough to reach the heater core and temp sender. It circulates around the block to cool the engine fine still but the far and high reaches of the system don't get circulation.
__________________
(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
Reply With Quote
  #7  
Old 12-12-2011, 02:33 PM
dalebradford dalebradford is offline
Learning to use the forums
 
Join Date: Nov 2011
Posts: 7
Default Re: 2.3L Coolant Issues

Thank you both for your input. I just want to be clear.. So it doesn't matter which side of the heater core is hooked up to the water pump, and or the water inlet? I though this had something to do with it... is there away to see if the impeller is gone without tearing it all apart?
__________________
Dale Bradford
1986 Ford Ranger
2.3L 4 banger
A4LD Automatic Tranny
Reply With Quote
  #8  
Old 12-12-2011, 02:52 PM
FireRanger FireRanger is offline
Blinded by the light
 
Join Date: Sep 2009
Posts: 7,674
Send a message via AIM to FireRanger
Default Re: 2.3L Coolant Issues

I don't think it matters. Usually in is on the left and out is on the right I think, but I don't see how it would matter. The only way to tell with the pump is to remove it. I know, sucks.
__________________
(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
Reply With Quote
  #9  
Old 12-12-2011, 03:13 PM
tbirdsps tbirdsps is offline
Like the Forums
 
Join Date: Dec 2011
Posts: 34
Default Re: 2.3L Coolant Issues

Quote:
Originally Posted by dalebradford View Post
Thank you both for your input. I just want to be clear.. So it doesn't matter which side of the heater core is hooked up to the water pump, and or the water inlet? I though this had something to do with it... is there away to see if the impeller is gone without tearing it all apart?
On my 92 as you are looking at the firewall the pipe from the T-stat housing goes to the right and the hose from the water pump goes to the left. I don't see how it would make any difference though. Water will flow through the heater core either way.
__________________
1992 XLT SWB 2.3 5 speed
1992 Thunderbird 3.8 LX
1990 Corvette Coupe L98
Reply With Quote
  #10  
Old 12-21-2011, 10:16 AM
dalebradford dalebradford is offline
Learning to use the forums
 
Join Date: Nov 2011
Posts: 7
Default Re: 2.3L Coolant Issues

I pulled the water pump last night and the pump, and the impeller are fine.. so any other thoughts? I still need to reattach the fan (and i went ahead and put in the new wp I bought, also changed a tension-er pulley), so i wont be able to tell you which hoses are hot etc... until tomorrow sometime..

thanks
Dale
__________________
Dale Bradford
1986 Ford Ranger
2.3L 4 banger
A4LD Automatic Tranny
Reply With Quote
  #11  
Old 12-21-2011, 10:51 AM
FireRanger FireRanger is offline
Blinded by the light
 
Join Date: Sep 2009
Posts: 7,674
Send a message via AIM to FireRanger
Default Re: 2.3L Coolant Issues

Where does the troubleshooting chart lead you to?
__________________
(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
Reply With Quote
  #12  
Old 12-22-2011, 07:29 AM
dalebradford dalebradford is offline
Learning to use the forums
 
Join Date: Nov 2011
Posts: 7
Default Re: 2.3L Coolant Issues

It says the heater core... i guess air getting through it when i blew it out, is different from liquid trying to get through......
__________________
Dale Bradford
1986 Ford Ranger
2.3L 4 banger
A4LD Automatic Tranny
Reply With Quote
Reply

Tags
coolant, diagram, flow

Thread Tools Search this Thread
Search this Thread:

Advanced Search


Similar Threads
Thread Thread Starter Forum Replies Last Post
Oil in coolant, coolant in oil. Doing head gasket job on 1995 3.0 Tommy2 3.0 Vulcan Tech 17 11-22-2011 03:52 PM
No Coolant Cdy291 3.0 Vulcan Tech 7 05-22-2011 05:21 PM
Radiator Level Low, Coolant Still in Reservoir Still Has Coolant DHowesGrnXLT4x4 4.0 SOHC / 4.0 OHV Tech 4 03-25-2011 09:23 AM
Coolant issues once again DeckedOut 4-Cylinder Tech 7 01-31-2011 08:44 AM
coolant RangerLuc General Tech 5 10-29-2010 07:23 AM