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  #16  
Old 05-07-2013, 05:58 AM
RoberticusMaximus RoberticusMaximus is offline
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Default Re: How To Replace Thermostat 2.5L (1999)

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Originally Posted by Offy View Post
I know its only a 2-way conversation it seems like but the RT-1148 or stamp # ys4e-8575-ab is better. the RT-1140 and stamp # ""-AA does twist in, but hard. and it is easy to twist the tabs after the prongs pass the impressions on the housing. Plus if does not operate as smoothly as the other 1 I speak of. In my view, might as well go aftermarket if you choose to go to the AA/RT-1140 as they seem very similar in quality. Just my point of view. I hope others look highly into all the work you have put into this thread!
thanks buddy! you've put in some good posts here too, like the part # comments n stuff. i'm not as savvy on that stuff... i just took some pics & regurgitated what i did lol

thanks for adding some more good info!
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  #17  
Old 01-06-2014, 01:23 PM
RoberticusMaximus RoberticusMaximus is offline
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Default Re: How To Replace Thermostat 2.5L (1999)

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Originally Posted by RoberticusMaximus View Post
This is me replacing my thermostat on my 1999 2.5L Ford Ranger.

Precautions: Neither myself of the Ford Ranger Forum are responsible for any damages related to reading and/or attempting this procedure

Tools used:
3/8" ratchet (or 3/8" breaker bar to remove the serp belt)
1/4" ratchet and 8mm socket with 6" extension
10mm end wrench
various pliers & screwdrivers for hose clamps, etc.
towels & scrapers to clean off the parts

Materials:
New Motorcraft Thermostat
New T-stat housing gasket
catch pan for the system's existing coolant
Fresh coolant to top of system after installation

Procedure:

In the pic below is the thermostat housing hiding under the upper radiator hose & the temperature sensor & sender.



I would recommend taking the serpentine belt, the fan/fan clutch assembly, the water pump pulley, and the fan shroud off. It can be done without removing them, but it's so so so much easier to just pull them off. The fan clutch it held onto the water pump pulley by 4 10mm bolts - i used a regular box wrench.



Might as well inspect your water pump while you can see it. I felt how tight the bearing was just for my own piece of mind



You'll have to drain the coolant, else you'll make a big mess. I caught the stream out of the petc0ck & then caught the flow out of the lower radiator hose. kinda did a system flush...
After the coolant is drained, unplug the two sensors on the housing & pull them out of the way. Then you can pull the upper radiator hose off of the top of the housing.





Right there is bolt #1 lol! its a 8mm & It's hard to see but easy to get too, especially after you find it. It's on the lower right of the housing.







And there is where to look for bolt #2 haha! it was too hard to get a pic of it installed, so i showed you where the ratchet needs to be to get to it... 8mm also.



Clean the interface of the block as well as on the housing. Remember to pull of the old gasket & install the new gasket.





The next 2 pictures are of the little test i did...
below on the left is an aftermarket one & to the right is the motorcraft one (brand new).
the gap in the afternarket one is way way too big. caused my sensors to read way too low after the engine was warmed up.
It actually was causing the temp guage to oscillate between normal and cold on the cluster. it was making me crazy lol!




New gasket:



New Thermostat:



ready to install!!!!!












Please please please remember to refill your radiator with clean coolant! and then proceed to burp the system until all the air is out of it.
Check for leaks, blah blah... you might as well do a full system flush while you have it all out IMHO

THANKS FOR VIEWING!


NOTE: I took off my fan shroud permanently because it is tearing up my radiator lol! preparing to replace the radiator soon... don't forget to put it back on too haha!
had to update the picture urls sorry
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  #18  
Old 01-07-2014, 10:22 AM
Deadeye Deadeye is offline
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Thank you Robert, that was very informative. However, my truck is a 2009 4.0 ranger. Is it the same configuration?
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  #19  
Old 01-07-2014, 11:54 AM
RoberticusMaximus RoberticusMaximus is offline
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Default Re: How To Replace Thermostat 2.5L (1999)

thanks for the kind words, kevin!
hmmmm i'd imagine a newer engine would be a little bit different, but the basics are the same i'm sure. do you know if your thermostat housing is on the top or bottom radiator hose? some new engines have them on the bottom return hose form the radiator...
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  #20  
Old 03-24-2017, 06:09 AM
Shane72 Shane72 is offline
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Default Re: How To Replace Thermostat 2.5L (1999)

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Originally Posted by Deadeye View Post
Thank you Robert, that was very informative. However, my truck is a 2009 4.0 ranger. Is it the same configuration?
Deadeye -

Did you do this on your 2009? Getting ready to do this on my 2007-- wondering if Robert's pics were close or close enough.

Thanks!
Shane
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  #21  
Old 03-24-2017, 06:27 AM
RoberticusMaximus RoberticusMaximus is offline
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Default Re: How To Replace Thermostat 2.5L (1999)

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Originally Posted by Shane72 View Post
Deadeye -

Did you do this on your 2009? Getting ready to do this on my 2007-- wondering if Robert's pics were close or close enough.

Thanks!
Shane
hi there shane!! your truck will most likely be quite a bit different than mine. i'll see if i can find a write up for yours though

edit: is your a 4.0?

----------

Here's a neat write-up for a SOHC 4.0, I'm not sure if your is the OHV or SOHC version though... http://bengrosser.com/howto/fordthermostat/
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  #22  
Old 03-24-2017, 07:34 AM
Shane72 Shane72 is offline
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Default Re: How To Replace Thermostat 2.5L (1999)

Woah, thanks so much for that offer!! I'm a little nervous to do this job-- definitely new to auto repair but I love learning and love the $$ I'm saving! Yes, mine is a 4.0.

Thanks again!
Shane
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  #23  
Old 03-24-2017, 09:27 AM
RoberticusMaximus RoberticusMaximus is offline
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Default Re: How To Replace Thermostat 2.5L (1999)

Sure thing! No doubt you can do it. If I come up with something better than that link, I'll post it. Until then, maybe someone else will chime in!

----------

Quote:
Originally Posted by Shane72 View Post
Woah, thanks so much for that offer!! I'm a little nervous to do this job-- definitely new to auto repair but I love learning and love the $$ I'm saving! Yes, mine is a 4.0.

Thanks again!
Shane
by the way, I checked and yours being a 2007, it is certainly a SOHC. so that link should apply to your truck. if you want more, just search on google for "ranger 4.0 sohc thermostat" or similar for pics and such...

this is one of the top hits - see if this looks like what you've got under the hood:

And another one!!!

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  #24  
Old 03-26-2017, 02:43 PM
Shane72 Shane72 is offline
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Default Re: How To Replace Thermostat 2.5L (1999)

RoberticusMaximus - THANK YOU! Project update + question:

Everything went really well. My son and I learned together with the help of your post and the YouTube videos. Current status:
  • Thermostat replaced, everything put back together, and interestingly enough check engine light is already off!
  • Added 1 gallon of 50/50 mix to the radiator reservoir-- we didn't see the FILL LEVEL indicator and (unfortuantely?) filled 'er up to the top.
  • Started engine and let run for 10 mins, turned on heat, let run for 10 mins.

We can see bubbles in the coolant reservoir -- I first wondered if the coolant was slowly working its way back into the system, but the level hasn't dropped in the 20+ minutes I ran the truck.

Questions-- did I screw anything up by overfilling the reservoir?

I'm not getting any heat -- any thoughts here?

Thanks again everyone-- even though we aren't 100% good, my son and I had a great bonding day working on this project thanks to the forum's help!

Shane
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  #25  
Old 03-26-2017, 04:52 PM
Shane72 Shane72 is offline
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Default Re: How To Replace Thermostat 2.5L (1999)

Update #2 -

Checked on it after about an hour of shutting it off the last time - reservoir is empty! So I guess the first gallon worked its way into the system. I'm still fuzzy on how to best incorporate the next 2.8 gallons. Maybe it's okay to fill it up to the top when doing initial filling after a drain?

Thanks again guys.
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  #26  
Old 03-26-2017, 05:03 PM
DangerRanger37 DangerRanger37 is offline
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Quote:
Originally Posted by Shane72 View Post
Update #2 -

Checked on it after about an hour of shutting it off the last time - reservoir is empty! So I guess the first gallon worked its way into the system. I'm still fuzzy on how to best incorporate the next 2.8 gallons. Maybe it's okay to fill it up to the top when doing initial filling after a drain?

Thanks again guys.
Pop the rad cap off and start it wait until the thermostat opens (truck is up to temp) turn the heat on and pour fluid into radiator. While your pouring shake the truck side to side a little. Should shoot some air bubbles and burp the system.
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  #27  
Old 03-27-2017, 06:35 AM
RoberticusMaximus RoberticusMaximus is offline
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Default Re: How To Replace Thermostat 2.5L (1999)

^^^ good stuff! & be careful when removing the cap if the system is still under pressure.

yeah, after your truck gets up to temp, the gas bubbles will expand. then when you shut it off and let it cool down, the bubbles will shrink back down and suck in fluid from the reservoir. be sure and check the res fluid level for a few days afterwards

and that's nice to hear you & your son had a good time! that sounds like me & my dad when we dig into a project lol
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  #28  
Old 03-28-2017, 05:08 PM
Shane72 Shane72 is offline
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Default Re: How To Replace Thermostat 2.5L (1999)

Hi guys -

One lingering question. The guy at Autozone told me capacity for the coolant was 3 gallons 50/50 mix, so I bought three gallons. I have the first 2 gallons in there, and there is still some in the reservoir. Is the level OK as-is, or should I be concerned that I haven't opened the 3rd gallon?

Thank you!
Shane
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  #29  
Old 03-28-2017, 07:29 PM
DangerRanger37 DangerRanger37 is offline
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Quote:
Originally Posted by Shane72 View Post
Hi guys -

One lingering question. The guy at Autozone told me capacity for the coolant was 3 gallons 50/50 mix, so I bought three gallons. I have the first 2 gallons in there, and there is still some in the reservoir. Is the level OK as-is, or should I be concerned that I haven't opened the 3rd gallon?

Thank you!
Shane
Run it and get it up to temp and then check again.
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  #30  
Old 03-31-2017, 07:22 AM
Shane72 Shane72 is offline
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Default Re: How To Replace Thermostat 2.5L (1999)

Hey guys - so sorry - one more question. Not sure if this is related or not.

When I set the temperature dial to "cold" (not A/C, just outside air) it only blows warm/hot air. It's possible this has been an issue since buying the truck a couple months ago, as the weather has just begun to turn around to where I'd want to use that setting.

Any thoughts?

Thanks!
Shane
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