Hi Everyone,

So, for the past few months I have been having to add coolant to the tune of 1/2 a jug every month. Winter was over so decided to take it in and they immediately told me the water pump was leaking. Had that replaced.. Its been about 3 weeks later and I pop the hood and the tank is almost bone dry again... The radiator has always been full during this time- even before the water pump replacement and the vehicle never runs hot.

Does anybody have any other suggestions where I might be losing this coolant? The vehicle runs great otherwise. Of course, I am in the NE and we just got buried with snow- so I topped it off again and will keep a close eye on it until spring..

hmmmm i'm guessing this is an older ranger being is it'g got a rad cap... i'm not seeing any details in yoru signature or profile. what year model & engine is it?

either way, every single hose is susceptible to developing a pin hole or a crack. sometimes they are hard as hell to find. especially a pinhole that spewes only when its up to temp. sprays out hot coolant and it dispersal without a trace lol! i'd imagine you'd catch a whiff of it eventually though. no puddles on the ground i take it?

-heater core
-heater control valve & hoses
-thermostat housing
-upper & lower radiator hoses
-you may have a small line into the intake manifold
-you may have one of those PITA 2.3 duratecs with the line that goes behind the engine over the transmission
-crack in the overflow (or the little hose) or degas reservoir for a newer truck
-crack in the radiator itself
-freeze plugs
-temp sensor/sender holes
... some starting places... if it were a head gasket, you'd probably know by now since this has been going on a while. no harm in investigating tho

__________________
1999 xlt 2.5l 5-speed Supercab 159k
83 diesel 2.2l na
06 F250 6.0l psd
{click for lol}

Thanks so much for your response! Sorry I forgot to put the specs.. It is an 02' 3.0L Edge.

Should I start with the rad cap and work my way down the list? I am going to be really pissed if they had me replace the water pump for nothing when in fact it was something else. I had the shop do it because I heard of how much of a pain it was..

sure no problem! about the radiator cap, no harm in replacing it, but i think you notice if it were seeping out at that rate. just have to pop the hood immediately when you get home say, and grab a flashlight and look real close. hate for you to start throwing more parts at it only to find out its a $5 hose or something lol

__________________
1999 xlt 2.5l 5-speed Supercab 159k
83 diesel 2.2l na
06 F250 6.0l psd
{click for lol}

look around the r/f bottom of the block for coolant . see attached pic

Attached Images

ranger coolant leak.jpg (96.7 KB, 46 views)

__________________

How about doing a pressure test on it?

__________________

Take it back where you had it fixed and say, "Not fixed yet"

__________________
2006 Ford Ranger XLT, 2-Door extended cab, 3.0l, Automatic, Air-cond., Cruise, AM-FM Stereo (no CD), ARE Impulse camper shell, Plastic Bedliner, and that's it, as far as extras.

Had a similar issue 2000 ranger Vulcan V6 3liter flex fuel. One of the upper water pump bolts leaked. Not at the head of the bolt but back along the bolt to the front of the timing chan cover. Only leaked when under pressure (engine running) and hard to catch. Pulled the water pump and since I was there, the timing chain cover. Replaced the timing chain (it had some slack 100k miles) and both sprockets. Put it all back together with new water pump and gaskets. No more coolant loss and the engine got its pep back!

There are a LOT of places it could leak and anywhere coolant flows is naturally, a possibility. Have you tried going out there with your flashlight and actually looking for the source yet? How about doing a simple pressure, have you done that yet? If not and if you want to solve the problem, then start doing diagnostics or like last time, take it to the shop again.

__________________
2004 Ranger FX4 Level II, 5R55E, Sonic Blue Pearl

Proudly JAP/RICE free since March 2000

When they put the new water pump on, they may have not gotten all the air out of the system, so it sucked fluid from the reservoir. I'd say if this keeps happening THEN you have a problem. Just keep an eye on it.

__________________
1995 Ranger XLT 3.0L OBDII
Trans: A4LD (E) 2WD
Rear: 7.5 / 3.45 NL LHD
Tires:GY P235 75/R15 (orig 225 70/R14)
Long Bed, 20 Gal Tank
Up to 229,900 miles

Thats coming from the passanger side of motor. Its a leak between the block & timing cover. Very common on the 3.0. Fel-Pro has a gasket kit w/ harmonic balance sleve. Gasket kit 17.00 bucks. Also change timing chain set, about 40.00 & 8 hrs of labor.Its going to get worse day by day. Most shops want 750.00 to 1500.00 for repair.If you have any skills, you can DIY it. There are a lot of you tube videos on this. Did it to my own 3.0 ranger & last week did my daughters 3.0 in her taurus, same 3.0 in both. 6HRS.

__________________
Myrtle: & Danna
1999 Ranger 4x4 3.0 Stepside Ext Cab XLT
2000 Mustang 4.6 Roush Supercharged ( Show Car )
1984 Elcamino 350 330 HP ( Nick's Show Car )
1959 Wife ( Arm Candy )
Danna passed away 5/26/2016