Strange Overheating

jbrow314 · #1 11-11-2010, 09:00 PM

Truck: 2004 Ford Ranger FX-4

I have never had a overheating problem before in my truck, it has around 120xxx on the clock and today I went to grab some food from a drive through, got back on the road hit the gas and the temp gauge started rising....I immediately pulled over to the side of the road but it went back down to where it was supposed to be. I pulled over, left the truck on and popped open the hood no smoke, no heat thats above normal coming from engine. It stayed at the median the entire way home, even through I punched it once or twice just to see if it would happen again, and nothing. I have a 30 minute drive to work everyday on the highway, I was wondering if this was just a fluke or what? Im going to check the coolant level tomorrow, by the way where exactly do you fill it up at, Im not to familiar with Rangers.

FireRanger · #2 11-11-2010, 09:04 PM

Check fluid level. On a cold engine the radiator should be full and the tank should be half full. If it doesn't do it again, pretend it never happened. It's impossible to diagnose any further if the symptoms go away. You would just be blindly throwing car parts and money at it.

jbrow314 · #3 11-11-2010, 09:08 PM

Is the tank on the left (facing the engine)?

Hopefully it wont happen again....Ill check the radiator in a little bit and see what the level is

FireRanger · #4 11-12-2010, 05:04 AM

Yes. There's two. One labeled washer fluid and one labeled coolant.

azgilamonster · #5 11-12-2010, 05:50 AM

be sure if you add coolant that you use the correct type.

jbrow314 · #6 11-21-2010, 01:24 PM

Well I checked the reservoir, it was bone dry...so I filled it up using the correct coolant and 50/50 ratio, and everything was going great after that. A day or two later the reservoir was empty again when the engine was cold, so I filled it up and now its right where its supposed to be....but the coolant actually looks black in the reservoir, wtf? Im not leaking coolant, the exhaust dosent smell sweet or nothing, my oil level hasnt changed since my last oil change....I did notice last night driving home from work on the highway, my temp gauge started to rise slightly but it fell back down just as quick as it went up.

Water pump maybe?

Cooter83 · #7 11-21-2010, 01:35 PM

What color is your oil? If it beads up or looks milky or green, you have a blown head gasket. Check all your coolant hoses and the radiator. You might have a small pin hole somewhere that is allowing fluid to pass and go unrecognized. My advise is to go to autozone or advance to borrow a coolant pressure test. Pump the coolant on the radiator to a little over 12 psi. Be sure your engine is cold when you do this! Then, look for any leaks. Be sure to check the heads, hoses, radiator, thermostat housing and underneath the truck. If still no leaks, you got me!

FireRanger · #8 11-21-2010, 01:36 PM

Well, i said to check the radiator on a cold engine, not just blindly fill the tank. So do that and report back what you see.

Cooter83 · #9 11-21-2010, 01:38 PM

Oh! And check the weap hole on the water pump. If you notice old fluid on the water pump. That's a sign of the water pump seals rotting and needs to be replaced.

jbrow314 · #10 11-21-2010, 01:57 PM

The radiator is full of coolant, and theres no obvious signs of leaks even on the water pump....so guess I need to go and test everything...yay.

FireRanger · #11 11-21-2010, 03:41 PM

The coolant in the tank always looks ugly. Especially the yellow fluid. And if you combined green and yellow, you get even uglier looking fluid. The best thing you can do is probably a good flush and refill. I doubt you have a problem. Just nasty fluid, if that.

SuperSlug · #12 11-22-2010, 08:33 AM

You might want to consider replacing the thermostat. My Ranger did the same thing last year and stopped after I replaced it.

richarddhoward · #13 11-22-2010, 09:03 AM

I would listen to all the previous posts, a flush might be all you need. It sounds like you have some crappy fluid in your truck which can cause it to overheat. Also I would check your radiator on the outside. You have an FX4, and well most people with FX4 trucks use them off road. This means you can gum up the radiator with dirt and grime. DO NOT...again...DO NOT use a pressure washer on the radiator, just a garden hose and nozzle so you don't bend the radiator fins over.