You're still the man with the plan bud. Thought I'd let you know. Just replaced my thermostat step by step as you say and am back from my midnight test drive. Needless to say, you've helped me tremendously. So again, thanks partner. ( over a decade later 😃 )
This video helped me solve a problem with my Ford Ranger. It was not getting up to temperature properly and it turned the prior service tech installed the thermostat upside down. You mentioning the proper orientation help me diagnose the issue quickly. Thank you!
Thanks very much for this excellent tutorial! My truck's temperature has been rising and falling, and the truck starts to run hot whenever I use the A/C in stop and go traffic. I'm pretty sure it's the thermostat, so now I'm going to replace it. Thanks again. :)
Our truck is not heating well and also saying it is overheating. We are gonna change the thermostat this weekend and hopefully this will fix the issue. Thanks for the video!
Great video - my 2003 has t-stat stuck open. Been lamenting doing this, generally hate messing with coolant, now that i see you only drained out .5 gal I have renewed enthusiasm. Thanks!
@whatleft123 I believe the tube you are talking about is the thermostat bypass tube. You should be able to pick one up at any auto parts store. Glad the vid helped.
I really hardly ever comment in a negative manner on someone's video because I appreciate any help I can get most times. However, and at least on my 2000, on the intake the surface is smooth. It looked like it on yours, also. Inside the housing is a recess that will just fit the outside rim of the thermostat. When I changed mine out, I first put a very thin coat of Permatex on the housing surface, gave it a little time to set, put the thermo in its groove and stuck the gasket to the housing. This makes everything flat for the intake to receive the housing. I know you don't like gaskets, but they are there for a reason. It takes a little more skill, but rarely has to be done twice. After this, a thin coat of sealer on the intake and it's ready to bolt. What prompted my reply was that I couldn't tell how you centered the thermo using only sealer. I've seen guys do this and the bolts do get tight, but there's a chance a DIYer could get the dang thing cockeyed and have a bad leak after all that work!...just sayin'.
Absolutely, the only thing that will change is the thermostat location. Just follow the top radiator hose back. Where it hooks to the engine, thats where the thermostat is. Post back and let me know how it goes!
You might be able to tell if it is stuck open. However it might shut as you try and remove it. If its coated in a nasty green film then it is time to change it for sure.
@4EVERMYSERENITY Appreciate it very much! Thanks for watching and commenting! Its a very simple fix and more then likely your mechanic may have used a gasket. I HATE gaskets, I would much rather use RTV in most situations. Let it sit for a couple hours then fill it up. Almost guaranteed no leaks.
No it didnt, you have to buy the gasket separate. I hate using gaskets, they dont last as long as RTV and are a pain to line up with the bolts. RTV is an easier and better way of doing it in my opinion. Thanks for watching.
Disconnect your lower radiator hose. It should be a 3" hose connected at the base of your radiator. Make sure your engine is COMPLETELY COLD. If not you could hurt yourself extremely bad. It is pressurized and extremely hot after use. Check out my other vid on my explorer where I used CLR. Sounds like that might be what you need.
I have a ranger 3.0 and my heat doesn't work for an hour or more sometimes. Then the temp guage jumps up all the time and will sometimes go down if I rev it up. There is definitely alot of rust in the radiator when I take the cap off, I guess I gotta flush it and change the liquid wich is just water right now. Anyway I'm wondering if a rusted up thermostat might be my problem? Thanks!
Thank you very much for this useful video. Just bought a ranger 3.0 is acelerating like when is cold or first morning starts. Computer reader says is working too cold 123 f + - . just replaced the two sensors and still doing the fault. I guess is the thermostat
thanks man, my thermostat must be stuck open because the heater doesn't work gonna pop the new thermostat on right now. I got a feeling a sensor might be bad too, because the gauge doen't fluctuate at all, just stays bottomed out. Will see...
Thanks for the video, quick question though. I drained my radiator the other day and put in new coolant, when I drained it though it did not come out like yours did. It was more of a slow dribble and took over an hour. I stuck my finger in the radiator and felt around and there was some serious buildup of gunk, so I'm thinking it might be clogged, what would you recommend to clean it out before I explore other possible more expensive reasons for my problems. Thanks.
Great Video thanks, but I had a comedy of errors. When I was taking off the housing the left bolt broke, no problem, but while heating it with a torch I accidentally damaged the tube that is right next to it. Any idea what that tube is? I can't get at mine easily in my 93'. It is visible in your video, but mine is behind pipes. I thought it may be a vacuum tube but it feels solid.
i own a 2000 Ford Ranger 3.0L XLT and my temp gauge goes up and down. It'll go from the middle to close to H and back down again. Is that the same problem you had?.
Could you give me a favor?....#1 could you measure your Auto transmission dipstick from the top end to the bottom end #2 from the bottom up the two lines ( low and full ) lines... I got a ford tempo V6-3L and the oil changer guy in Toronto did not put the dipstick back so I don't have it in the dipstick hole.
Got a question is it normal for the coolant temp guage to stay at cool when it starts and sits for a minute ? Anytime I drive my temp guage seems go up slowly & always drop down when I come to a stop or sitting at idle and then goes back up to the middle when I’m accelerating always fluxating between the middle only… . It never passes the middle it always stays between cold and regular temp. Is that normal ? Or would that mean my thermostat going out? I haven’t had any overheating problems or anything like that btw I just would like to know if it’s normal because I assumed as soon as u turn on a car or truck the Guage would just shoot to the middle obviously deppending on the temp outside as well. Any help is appreciated. Thanks !
Great video Sir. I have a new radiator, top & bottom hoses, sensor, & thermostat to install on a 4 cyl-2.3L 96 Ranger. I also have a gasket, should I toss it & go with the RTV? Also, are there 2 sensors for the 4 cyl? Cuz I could only find the one. Thanks
hey man i ahve a 2000 ranger xlt v6 flex fuel and i ahve a 2 piece bottom radiator hose, and alot of people said they never heard of those on a ford so i was gonna ask if you have a single or 2 piece?
Ok can you name the thermostat things that go to the gage and the one that goes to the computer I heard it was the sending unit but AutoZone or no one has it
Thank you so much for this video, I am very mechanically inclined, however I did not have time last year and had my mechanic install a new water pump, thermostat, hoses. timing belt and new coolant, however just 2 days ago I smelled coolant and saud; what now! I looked under truck and notice coolant in different places and of course the fan moves it around also, I saw no dried coolant runs near the water pump, just coolant in different spots running from somewhere, I looked at the thermostat
I have a 99 Ford Ranger 3.0 that is building up pressure and blowing coolant out the reservoir. I replaced the thermostat so is it the radiator cap or something else?
Terry McDonald Sounds to me like a circulation problem. Im guessing the system is backing up somewhere. Flush the coolant system. Might want to even consider a back flush. Also look into using CLR as a coolant flush.
Hey man I have basically the same motor mine is just a 97 and I was wondering what would cause any leeks around the housing I had replaced the thermostat a couple weeks ago along with the gasket and it was running fine until the other night i lost heat and the damn thing was leaking everywhere I just replaced the gasket again last night and used some sealant hopefully that fixes it but any advice incase that doesn't work?
Devon Asher Just make sure the sealant is dry. There is a ton of possibilities for leaks. Just gotta check and keep an eye out for where its coming from.
@4EVERMYSERENITY housing and noticed dried coolant running down the sides, I assume it is my thermostat, since its a cheap insurance I think I may just replace it and see what happens, or may take it to the mechanic and just let him deal with it, I HAVE THE same year and ranger as you, mine is manual. anyways sorry for the lobg post, I am just appreciative of someone who takes the time and put together a video tutorial .
You're still the man with the plan bud. Thought I'd let you know. Just replaced my thermostat step by step as you say and am back from my midnight test drive. Needless to say, you've helped me tremendously. So again, thanks partner. ( over a decade later 😃 )
Glad I was able to help!
This video helped me solve a problem with my Ford Ranger. It was not getting up to temperature properly and it turned the prior service tech installed the thermostat upside down. You mentioning the proper orientation help me diagnose the issue quickly. Thank you!
Thank you for being simple and quick to the point
Perfect vid. Only as long as it needs to be. 👍
Thanks very much for this excellent tutorial! My truck's temperature has been rising and falling, and the truck starts to run hot whenever I use the A/C in stop and go traffic. I'm pretty sure it's the thermostat, so now I'm going to replace it. Thanks again. :)
Our truck is not heating well and also saying it is overheating. We are gonna change the thermostat this weekend and hopefully this will fix the issue. Thanks for the video!
Karli Sharp-Brown Post back and let me know how it goes!
+SparkysGarage do you know what size the thermostat bolts are on a 2000 Ford Ranger 3.0L
Great video - my 2003 has t-stat stuck open. Been lamenting doing this, generally hate messing with coolant, now that i see you only drained out .5 gal I have renewed enthusiasm. Thanks!
This video was very helpful in swapping thermo out on my 2000 Ford Ranger 3.0 XLT.
Thanks for posting. I'll be doing this job tomorrow. Great tutorial- thanks!
@whatleft123 I believe the tube you are talking about is the thermostat bypass tube. You should be able to pick one up at any auto parts store. Glad the vid helped.
I really hardly ever comment in a negative manner on someone's video because I appreciate any help I can get most times. However, and at least on my 2000, on the intake the surface is smooth. It looked like it on yours, also. Inside the housing is a recess that will just fit the outside rim of the thermostat. When I changed mine out, I first put a very thin coat of Permatex on the housing surface, gave it a little time to set, put the thermo in its groove and stuck the gasket to the housing. This makes everything flat for the intake to receive the housing. I know you don't like gaskets, but they are there for a reason. It takes a little more skill, but rarely has to be done twice. After this, a thin coat of sealer on the intake and it's ready to bolt. What prompted my reply was that I couldn't tell how you centered the thermo using only sealer. I've seen guys do this and the bolts do get tight, but there's a chance a DIYer could get the dang thing cockeyed and have a bad leak after all that work!...just sayin'.
Exactly the problem I'm having. Thanks for posting.
Absolutely, the only thing that will change is the thermostat location. Just follow the top radiator hose back. Where it hooks to the engine, thats where the thermostat is. Post back and let me know how it goes!
btw what temperture rated thermostat did u replace yours with? 195, 180, 160?
Thank you for posting. Very well done. Please post more repair vids.
You might be able to tell if it is stuck open. However it might shut as you try and remove it. If its coated in a nasty green film then it is time to change it for sure.
Thx for this. Just about what I expected the job to be, but just to verify.
Very welcome
@4EVERMYSERENITY Appreciate it very much! Thanks for watching and commenting! Its a very simple fix and more then likely your mechanic may have used a gasket. I HATE gaskets, I would much rather use RTV in most situations. Let it sit for a couple hours then fill it up. Almost guaranteed no leaks.
Thanks for the video very helpful 👍
Phat Beanie glad it helped!
@dieselpowrguy85 Glad I could help! Thanks for watching. :)
Very welcome. Thanks for watching
No it didnt, you have to buy the gasket separate. I hate using gaskets, they dont last as long as RTV and are a pain to line up with the bolts. RTV is an easier and better way of doing it in my opinion. Thanks for watching.
Worked great im only 15 and the job was easy
Thanks for the video. How do you clean the old gasket off? Also where can I buy rtv/what's it short for?
Disconnect your lower radiator hose. It should be a 3" hose connected at the base of your radiator. Make sure your engine is COMPLETELY COLD. If not you could hurt yourself extremely bad. It is pressurized and extremely hot after use.
Check out my other vid on my explorer where I used CLR. Sounds like that might be what you need.
It's surprising how CLEAN your engine compartment looks after 10 years with a Ranger
It was very well maintained and cleaned often. Simple green and engine degreaser work wonders.
Good video, thanks
Glad it helped
I have a ranger 3.0 and my heat doesn't work for an hour or more sometimes. Then the temp guage jumps up all the time and will sometimes go down if I rev it up. There is definitely alot of rust in the radiator when I take the cap off, I guess I gotta flush it and change the liquid wich is just water right now. Anyway I'm wondering if a rusted up thermostat might be my problem? Thanks!
Thank you very much for this useful video. Just bought a ranger 3.0 is acelerating like when is cold or first morning starts. Computer reader says is working too cold 123 f + - . just replaced the two sensors and still doing the fault. I guess is the thermostat
Juan Deleon Definitely sounds like a thermostat that is stuck open.
Juan Dele
thanks man, my thermostat must be stuck open because the heater doesn't work gonna pop the new thermostat on right now. I got a feeling a sensor might be bad too, because the gauge doen't fluctuate at all, just stays bottomed out. Will see...
CAPSLOCKISONDAMNIT Sounds like a bad gauge or sensor for sure. If the vehicle has heat quickly then its just one of those two that are the problem.
Very welcome.
Thanks for the video, quick question though. I drained my radiator the other day and put in new coolant, when I drained it though it did not come out like yours did. It was more of a slow dribble and took over an hour. I stuck my finger in the radiator and felt around and there was some serious buildup of gunk, so I'm thinking it might be clogged, what would you recommend to clean it out before I explore other possible more expensive reasons for my problems. Thanks.
Once I get the old thermostat out, will I be able to see if it was broken by comparing it to the new one?
Awesome man! Glad it went well for you. :)
Great Video thanks, but I had a comedy of errors. When I was taking off the housing the left bolt broke, no problem, but while heating it with a torch I accidentally damaged the tube that is right next to it. Any idea what that tube is? I can't get at mine easily in my 93'. It is visible in your video, but mine is behind pipes. I thought it may be a vacuum tube but it feels solid.
i own a 2000 Ford Ranger 3.0L XLT and my temp gauge goes up and down. It'll go from the middle to close to H and back down again. Is that the same problem you had?.
Does the new thermostat come with a gasket or do have to buy it separately
The coolant underneath were the thermostat goes in my truck seems to be solid, what should I do?
CLR and flush flush flush it!
Could you give me a favor?....#1 could you measure your Auto transmission dipstick from the top end to the bottom end #2 from the bottom up the two lines ( low and full ) lines... I got a ford tempo V6-3L and the oil changer guy in Toronto did not put the dipstick back so I don't have it in the dipstick hole.
Got a question is it normal for the coolant temp guage to stay at cool when it starts and sits for a minute ? Anytime I drive my temp guage seems go up slowly & always drop down when I come to a stop or sitting at idle and then goes back up to the middle when I’m accelerating always fluxating between the middle only… . It never passes the middle it always stays between cold and regular temp. Is that normal ? Or would that mean my thermostat going out? I haven’t had any overheating problems or anything like that btw I just would like to know if it’s normal because I assumed as soon as u turn on a car or truck the Guage would just shoot to the middle obviously deppending on the temp outside as well. Any help is appreciated. Thanks !
Great video Sir. I have a new radiator, top & bottom hoses, sensor, & thermostat to install on a 4 cyl-2.3L 96 Ranger. I also have a gasket, should I toss it & go with the RTV? Also, are there 2 sensors for the 4 cyl? Cuz I could only find the one. Thanks
I prefer the RTV over a gasket.
hey man i ahve a 2000 ranger xlt v6 flex fuel and i ahve a 2 piece bottom radiator hose, and alot of people said they never heard of those on a ford so i was gonna ask if you have a single or 2 piece?
What are those two hoses coming out of the intake for ?
What about the O ring ?
Ok can you name the thermostat things that go to the gage and the one that goes to the computer I heard it was the sending unit but AutoZone or no one has it
Light it up dude
Thank you so much for this video, I am very mechanically inclined, however I did not have time last year and had my mechanic install a new water pump, thermostat, hoses. timing belt and new coolant, however just 2 days ago I smelled coolant and saud; what now! I looked under truck and notice coolant in different places and of course the fan moves it around also, I saw no dried coolant runs near the water pump, just coolant in different spots running from somewhere, I looked at the thermostat
Thanks !
When I ask for a 05 ranger they showed ,02-08-09 & up
I'm having no issues with overheating, but I was planning on replacing the thermostat when I replace my radiator. Is that necessary?
Not a bad idea to do both at the same time.
hey sparky thanks for the video you made it a lot easier!! I did everything but it still doesn't work what can it be??
+Nvent1 What doesn't work?
Ok I'm sorry my gauge in the dash doesn't move it stays on cold 👍THANK YOU
Nvent1 did it end up being your ECT sensor?
Would this be the same way to change in a 2000 ranger 4.0
How to rebuild A4ld transmission
I have a 99 Ford Ranger 3.0 that is building up pressure and blowing coolant out the reservoir. I replaced the thermostat so is it the radiator cap or something else?
Terry McDonald Sounds to me like a circulation problem. Im guessing the system is backing up somewhere. Flush the coolant system. Might want to even consider a back flush. Also look into using CLR as a coolant flush.
Thanks
Hey man I have basically the same motor mine is just a 97 and I was wondering what would cause any leeks around the housing I had replaced the thermostat a couple weeks ago along with the gasket and it was running fine until the other night i lost heat and the damn thing was leaking everywhere I just replaced the gasket again last night and used some sealant hopefully that fixes it but any advice incase that doesn't work?
Devon Asher Just make sure the sealant is dry. There is a ton of possibilities for leaks. Just gotta check and keep an eye out for where its coming from.
Can't remember, it was stock temp though,
Sure did!
You did not align the thermostat.
Why not just buy the gasket too? Its like 2$
I explained why in the video.....
Is this the same with the 3L?
This is a 3.0
Mine is a single piece.
Yeah when i fixxed mine you could cook an egg on the dash for about 5 days then it stopped working again nd idawanna fuck with it
@4EVERMYSERENITY housing and noticed dried coolant running down the sides, I assume it is my thermostat, since its a cheap insurance I think I may just replace it and see what happens, or may take it to the mechanic and just let him deal with it, I HAVE THE same year and ranger as you, mine is manual. anyways sorry for the lobg post, I am just appreciative of someone who takes the time and put together a video tutorial .