I need a new radiator? I have a '95 Ford Ranger w/ almost 112K miles on it and I only "beat on it" when I'm on the highway and late for a doctor's appointment (meaning go like 90 mph). About 4 or 5 months ago, I flushed the radiator myself becuz the same thing was happening with the temp gauge needle. Then, it stopped. About 2 months ago, my friend and I put new brakes on the front and he put the calipers on wrong. I went to the shop cuz I had no brake pressure and they fixed his mistake. While there, I had the radiator flushed. About a week ago, I noticed the needle going up past the center half-way btw the center and "H." Then, it would go past the center towards "C." Up and down continuously. Since it started to get cold in Illinois, I've had the heat on full. When this is on, the needle stays in the center. Do I need a new thermostat or radiator? My friend said to get a stock thermostat. It hasn't been changed since I got the the truck at 89K miles and I don't know if ever b4 that.
2006-10-16 11:44:09 · 8 answers · asked by Anonymous in Cars & Transportation ➔ Maintenance & Repairs
The only thing the private party told me about the truck (they were a neighbor down the street) was that they took good care of it and had just put brand new tires on it a month or so before I got it. So, I have no idea what has been done to it in terms of maintenance.
2006-10-16 11:45:39 · update #1
It sounds like a thermostat and your friend was right but take it a step futher and put a Motercraft OE stat and cap on it .
2006-10-16 11:54:55 · answer #1 · answered by Danno 2 · 0⤊ 0⤋
sounds like an air pocket somewhere,when you change the thermostat, put the truck on an angle so the rad cap is higher than the heater hoses and get the thing up to temp. with the heater on and the cap open this will bring the air out , then keep an eye on the overflow tank , it will tell you a " cold full " level, keep it there. if it persists your temp. sender could be shot .
2006-10-16 15:22:01 · answer #2 · answered by sterling m 6 · 0⤊ 0⤋
get it fixes as soon as you can. I screwed up a bmw engine, cause i was ignorant and ignored the problem. It could be one of these things: radiator or thermostat. I think its the thermostat, right, when you go faster, the needle stays centered? I think the thermostat doesn't open. change it, its cheap and easy. also check the 2 valves from the radiator, is one hot and one cold? then you have a radiator problem. get it fixed, my friend, it my only advice, or you could risk losing it.
2006-10-16 11:50:29 · answer #3 · answered by Kristian55 3 · 0⤊ 1⤋
Replace the thermostat and the radiator cap. That should take care of the gauge issue.
2006-10-16 11:48:49 · answer #4 · answered by rex_rrracefab 6 · 0⤊ 0⤋
well to begin with that senor for the gauge had a tech.note update.but,you'd still be better off changing the cap along with the thermostat.make sure you put the stat in correct,that could be causing the problem.tell me,,,how the hell can you put cal's on wrong,andif you and your friend put them on how come he's taking all the blame?
2006-10-16 12:00:49 · answer #5 · answered by jgmafb 5 · 0⤊ 0⤋
temp guage goes up and down, you probably have a pocket of air in the system and when the pocket of air passes by the sensor the tem goes up and past i back down....you need to burp the air
2006-10-16 11:52:24 · answer #6 · answered by blueman2 5 · 0⤊ 0⤋
Replace the thermostat, check your hoses to make sure they are not sucking shut
2006-10-16 11:55:36 · answer #7 · answered by nbr660 6 · 0⤊ 1⤋
its doing fine, why fix it if its not broke .
2006-10-20 10:11:40 · answer #8 · answered by duc602 7 · 0⤊ 0⤋