Thermostat location? I need to replace it.

Tiny
WESMAN2440
  • MEMBER
  • 1991 FORD RANGER
Hey I need help on locating my thermostat in a 91 ford ranger 2.3 L Iv looked every where but I must be missing seeing it and over looking it
If anyone has a clue as to where I might find this please let me know

( and if you could send me a diagram I would greatly appreciate it thanks )

I still cannot find the bolts that your talking about iv taking the rad hose off and Iv looked everywhere but I still don't see it and iv changed them out before and this makes the first that I cannot find.
Friday, May 18th, 2007 AT 9:48 PM

15 Replies

Tiny
KEN L
  • MASTER CERTIFIED MECHANIC
  • 47,642 POSTS
Hello,

The thermostat is located at the end of the upper radiator hose toward the engine. Here is a guide to help you see what you are in for when doing the job.

https://www.2carpros.com/articles/replace-thermostat

Here is a diagrams for what it looks like on your tuck (below)

Check out the diagrams (Below)

Please let us know if you need anything else to get the problem fixed.

Cheers
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Saturday, May 19th, 2007 AT 8:21 PM
Tiny
WESMAN2440
  • MEMBER
  • 23 POSTS
I finally changed out the thermostat and it works like a charm thanks
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Wednesday, May 23rd, 2007 AT 1:40 PM
Tiny
KEN L
  • MASTER CERTIFIED MECHANIC
  • 47,642 POSTS
Use 2CarPros anytime, we are here to help. Please tell a friend.

Cheers, Ken
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Monday, January 29th, 2018 AT 5:21 PM
Tiny
SAINT4SINNERS
  • MEMBER
  • 1 POST
  • 1990 FORD RANGER
  • 4 CYL
  • FWD
  • MANUAL
  • 85,000 MILES
Engine Cooling problem
1990 Ford Ranger 4 cyl Front Wheel Drive Manual 85000 miles

im trying to change the thermostat, and I cant find where it goes I have all the hoses disconnected from the radiator; but there isnt and old one. Where would it be located?
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Monday, January 29th, 2018 AT 5:22 PM (Merged)
Tiny
BLACKOP555
  • MECHANIC
  • 10,371 POSTS
Where the upper radiator hose connects to the engine is the thermostat housing. There should be two bolts in it. Once that removed the thermostat is right there. Make note of direction thermostat is installed. And be sure to use a new gasket when putting the thermostat housing back on
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Monday, January 29th, 2018 AT 5:22 PM (Merged)
Tiny
DICELIN
  • MEMBER
  • 1 POST
  • 1991 FORD RANGER
  • 4 CYL
  • 2WD
  • MANUAL
  • 182,000 MILES
If the thermostat is removed would that cause vehicle to overheat? My truck overheats very quickly. I have seen no leaking of fluid. And when I check the level over coolant in it, it is only down a little. But it only takes a drive on level hwy of about 6 miles and the gauge is at the l on normal. I have tried turning on the heater to see if that helped any but it doesn't much and the heat coming out is very hot. If it is not the thermostat any suggestions
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Wednesday, October 28th, 2020 AT 12:37 PM (Merged)
Tiny
RENAUDTN
  • MECHANIC
  • 636 POSTS
Usually when a car overheats quickly the problem is either a very low level of coolant or a blockage of some sort somewhere in the cooling system. If you haven't replaced your thermostat yet, I would start there; it could be stuck closed. Also make sure your fan clutch is not bad.
"if the thermostat is removed would that cause vehicle to overheat?": Nope. Actually driving without a thermostat will likely cause your car to overcool, which hurts your gas mileage and the car performances.
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+1
Wednesday, October 28th, 2020 AT 12:37 PM (Merged)
Tiny
SHAWNMCQ70
  • MEMBER
  • 1 POST
  • 1988 FORD RANGER
  • 6 CYL
  • 2WD
  • AUTOMATIC
  • 96,663 MILES
I was trying to drill out a broken bolt that broke off in the housing while I was taking it out. The drill bit broke off in the broken bolt. What do you suggest I do?
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Wednesday, October 28th, 2020 AT 12:37 PM (Merged)
Tiny
BLACKOP555
  • MECHANIC
  • 10,371 POSTS
First I need to know what shape the bolt is in before I can give you possibilities.

Is the head of the bolt still good? Or is it snapped off and just the body of the bolt is in the hole?
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Wednesday, October 28th, 2020 AT 12:37 PM (Merged)
Tiny
PSTNLEGS
  • MEMBER
  • 2 POSTS
I changed my thermostat in my car, and snapped the bolt off flush with the engine block. Going to the garage and let them deal with it, I have done enough damage trying to save some money.
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-1
Wednesday, October 28th, 2020 AT 12:37 PM (Merged)
Tiny
SYBIL BAILEY
  • MEMBER
  • 1 POST
  • 1986 FORD RANGER
  • 2.9L
  • 6 CYL
  • 4WD
  • MANUAL
  • 165,000 MILES
How do I change the thermostat?
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Wednesday, October 28th, 2020 AT 12:37 PM (Merged)
Tiny
HMAC300
  • MECHANIC
  • 48,601 POSTS
We do not have instructions from a manual, but drain coolant at least halfway full, undo bolts to thermostat housing pull housing off clean housing and where it bolts to install new thermostat and reverse process.
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Wednesday, October 28th, 2020 AT 12:37 PM (Merged)
Tiny
FORDGIRL2009
  • MEMBER
  • 1 POST
  • 1991 FORD RANGER
  • 6 CYL
  • 2WD
  • AUTOMATIC
  • 90,394 MILES
Okay I have a question. About the thermostat, my truck used to over heat alot, than we found out that the water pump was bad so we replaced that ( it had sat for 2 months) well now the thermostat that reads c on the left and h on the right is stuck on the h. We found out that the thermostat was closed ( which we was told it was no god than) so we had got the okay to take it out til we got a new one ( they said it was still drivable) I was wondering when we put the new thermostat in if it will go from the h down to the c on the inside of the truck on the thermoater?
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Wednesday, October 28th, 2020 AT 12:38 PM (Merged)
Tiny
IMPALASS
  • MECHANIC
  • 3,112 POSTS
Hello -

Okay if I understand you correctly your truck sat for about 2 months - you have changed the water pump but the temperature gauge inside the truck was still reading hot.

It was reading hot because the thermostat on the engine was stuck close. You removed it.

Currently the temperature gauge in the truck reads cooler... Probably very close to C.

When you put the correct temperature thermostat back in the engine..... The engine should run at the proper operating temperature.

The thermostat is designed to open when heated to the proper temperature and close as the engine cools.....
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Wednesday, October 28th, 2020 AT 12:38 PM (Merged)
Tiny
IMPALASS
  • MECHANIC
  • 3,112 POSTS
Hello -

Also, it looks like you may have some recalls on your vehicle. The dealer may fix these for free. Please contact the dealer service department, give them the VIN number of your car and have them check on
these to see if they apply to you.


https://www.2carpros.com/forum/automotive_pictures/248015_Ranger_REcall_1.jpg

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Wednesday, October 28th, 2020 AT 12:38 PM (Merged)

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