Engine is overheating after twenty minutes of running?

Tiny
JEFF LUNEY
  • MEMBER
  • 1992 FORD RANGER
  • 4.0L
  • 4 CYL
  • 2WD
  • MANUAL
  • 200,000 MILES
After about 20 minutes of running the temperature gauge rises eventually overheating. Steam and antifreeze will shoot from the radiator as well as reservoir. There is also a significant loss of power during overheating as well as a loud knocking sound. I have replaced the water pump, fuel cap, hoses, thermostat, flushed the radiator and disconnected the hose to the heater core and bypassed it thinking if it was a bad heater core then bypassing it would work but it didn't. I have not noticed any leak under the radiator that is clearly visible to get my attention.
Sunday, July 7th, 2019 AT 11:22 AM

30 Replies

Tiny
SCGRANTURISMO
  • MECHANIC
  • 4,897 POSTS
Hello,

You have got a restriction in the cooling system somewhere. Double check all the hoses and ensure that water or coolant can flow through your vehicle's radiator. Also double check that your thermostat is opening when it is supposed to. In the diagrams down below I have included an exploded diagram of your cooling system as well as a guide for why your vehicle could be overheating. The knocking in the engine is something that might be a concern, as you could have bearing damage from your engine being overheated, but we can address that after we figure out why it is overheating. Please go through the guides and get back to us with what you are able to find out.

Thanks,
Alex
2CarPros
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Sunday, July 7th, 2019 AT 2:57 PM
Tiny
BIGUPA
  • MEMBER
  • 1 POST
  • 1992 FORD RANGER
  • 6 CYL
  • 2WD
  • AUTOMATIC
  • 120,000 MILES
I am having a problem with overheating. It appears to be leaking just below the thermoustat housing and above the water pump. When I step on the gas I can here a small tapping/clicking noise. Could it be a bad thermostat? Or do you believe it is the water pump? Also my heater has not been working for the past month could this be a related cause? Thank you.
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Wednesday, October 28th, 2020 AT 2:19 PM (Merged)
Tiny
MEANOLDCRAB
  • MEMBER
  • 4 POSTS
Its sounds like the clicking or tapping you said may be a bent push rod or a lose one or rocker arm, which either could cause you auto to over heat if its bad enought . not sure but i have run into that problem on a 1976 ols. where it tap just a little and the longer i drove it the lounder the taping got plus it would over heat . the more gas i gave it the lounder the tapping got until one day it broke push rod. i took valve cover off on side where tapping was heard replace bend push rod , the problem was solve.

This guide I found can help us.

https://www.2carpros.com/articles/engine-overheating-or-running-hot

hope this will help
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Wednesday, October 28th, 2020 AT 2:19 PM (Merged)
Tiny
MEANOLDCRAB
  • MEMBER
  • 4 POSTS
Yes your themostate could be close or stuck for your heater not to work plus if it really got overheated then this could have cause a bend push rod, you need to repair leaks and replace themostate and then and checked out be sure push rod not damage. If your heater worked before then your car ran hot then no heat, then taping noise it makes me lean toward a bend push rod, plus bad thomostat, I hpoe this will help. .
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Wednesday, October 28th, 2020 AT 2:19 PM (Merged)
Tiny
AMAZED0315
  • MEMBER
  • 1 POST
  • 1992 FORD RANGER
Engine Cooling problem
1992 Ford Ranger Two Wheel Drive Automatic 208, 00 miles

I have had no trouble until the other day and my engine overheated. We stopped and realized the reserve tank on the side still was full of antifreeze but the engine was still overheated. We put antifreeze and water into the radiator. The engine cooled and then I drove it again yesterday and it started to overheat and we realized that there was antifreeze leaking pretty bad from underneath.I was running the a/c at that time. I since then have driven it today and it didnt overheat at all but I also did not run the a/c. I did not see any leakage either. Can you tell me what might be wrong?
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Wednesday, October 28th, 2020 AT 2:20 PM (Merged)
Tiny
WRENCHTECH
  • MECHANIC
  • 20,761 POSTS
You truck has an obvious leak and it needs to be found and repaired before you end up ruining the motor.
The system should be pressure tested to locate the leak and repair it.
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Wednesday, October 28th, 2020 AT 2:20 PM (Merged)
Tiny
BRIAN1176
  • MEMBER
  • 1 POST
  • 1990 FORD RANGER
  • 6 CYL
  • 2WD
  • AUTOMATIC
  • 125,000 MILES
I have a 1990 2WD Ford Ranger V-6 and have had the water pump replaced by a mechanic and replaced the thermostat in it as well this morning. Its still overheating and dont know why. Any ideas?
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Wednesday, October 28th, 2020 AT 2:20 PM (Merged)
Tiny
RASMATAZ
  • MECHANIC
  • 75,992 POSTS
Radiator could be clogged, fan clutch, air in the system -if it continues to overheat have it block and pressure tested to find out more what's causing it to overheat
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Wednesday, October 28th, 2020 AT 2:20 PM (Merged)
Tiny
JEAHMAN316
  • MEMBER
  • 3 POSTS
  • 1989 FORD RANGER
Engine Cooling problem
1989 Ford Ranger 6 cyl Two Wheel Drive Automatic 120K miles

My Ranger is over heating. Within 10 min of driving. I noticed that my coolant acts like its boiling and and leak out ohe the fill/refill box. I have replace the thermastat, no luck.
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Wednesday, October 28th, 2020 AT 2:20 PM (Merged)
Tiny
EUGENE123
  • MECHANIC
  • 273 POSTS
When you replaced the thermostat did you change the gasket if yes then did you make sure all of the old gasket was scraped off before adding the new one if yes to that also did you bleed the coolant system after replacing the thermostat?
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Wednesday, October 28th, 2020 AT 2:20 PM (Merged)
Tiny
JEAHMAN316
  • MEMBER
  • 3 POSTS
Yes, I did replace the gasket and cleanoff the area for it. I think it might be a clog in the lines or the water pump is inop. Has anyone seen this before?
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Wednesday, October 28th, 2020 AT 2:20 PM (Merged)
Tiny
EUGENE123
  • MECHANIC
  • 273 POSTS
Yes I have seen coolant lines clog up before that is possible as far as the water pump can you please tell me what you are abberviating inop?
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Wednesday, October 28th, 2020 AT 2:20 PM (Merged)
Tiny
JEAHMAN316
  • MEMBER
  • 3 POSTS
  • 1989 FORD RANGER
  • 6 CYL
  • 2WD
  • AUTOMATIC
  • 12,100 MILES
My ranger is overheating and the coolant is over flowing back into the overflow tank bioling hot. To the point of where I leak alot of coolant. Any ideas or has anyone seen this before. I'm think a clog or the water pump is not working. I have already replace the t-stat.
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Wednesday, October 28th, 2020 AT 2:20 PM (Merged)
Tiny
RANGERDANGER17
  • MEMBER
  • 224 POSTS
Do a pressure test on the hose coming from the water pump will it is runnin try to close the hose if you can the water pump aint workin

if the radiator is clogged the hose from the pump to the radiator will be extremly tight about to bust and the return (other hose coming out of radi) will have no pressure you will be able to close it with you hand

dont rule out the thermostat bad stat are very common best way the check the stat is the take it out and run it with no stat like this it should over cool
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Wednesday, October 28th, 2020 AT 2:20 PM (Merged)
Tiny
WINDWALKER8
  • MEMBER
  • 1 POST
I too have an 89, 2.9. I am having the same problem. Have changed the T-stat and the water pump. It idles with no problems, but blows back through the overflow when I drive it. Tried the no t-stat thing with no luck. ANY suggestions.
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Wednesday, October 28th, 2020 AT 2:20 PM (Merged)
Tiny
SENGINEER702
  • MEMBER
  • 1 POST
  • 1986 FORD RANGER
Engine Cooling problem
1986 Ford Ranger 6 cyl Two Wheel Drive Manual

My 86 ford ranger overheats very badly. I can drive it about 10 miles before it hits redline and I have to stop and cool it down. The radiator seems clean and flows. I've replace the thermostat, water pump, fan belts and valve cover gaskets in the last few monthes. From being cold to hot I can see when the thermostat opens ( on the guage) and the goes straight up from there. The heater blows hot and with no leaks, even under the vehicle. There is no condensation inside the oil filler cap or water in the oil. It runs good, no knocks or misses, plenty of power. Maybe a question of timing? I'm stumped.
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Wednesday, October 28th, 2020 AT 2:20 PM (Merged)
Tiny
RASMATAZ
  • MECHANIC
  • 75,992 POSTS
Could be a fan clutch problem or airlock in the system try bleeding it
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Wednesday, October 28th, 2020 AT 2:20 PM (Merged)
Tiny
TURTLEZ06
  • MEMBER
  • 1 POST
Rasmataz had a good point. Just wanted to add, check and make sure you upper and lower hoses are not collapsing while hot.
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Wednesday, October 28th, 2020 AT 2:20 PM (Merged)
Tiny
UGA1980
  • MEMBER
  • 1 POST
  • FORD RANGER
I've replaced the thermostat still overheats?
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Wednesday, October 28th, 2020 AT 2:21 PM (Merged)
Tiny
JOUGH626
  • MECHANIC
  • 55 POSTS
Check to be sure the fan comes on when it get's hot, if it's electric it will stop and start, if it is mechanical, it will spin all the time and spin really fast when it get's hot.
Check the radiator cap.
Check coolant temp sensor.
Check for leaks.
Check for the presence of the belt that drives the water pump.
Check the water pump.
Flush the system and add properly mixed coolant.
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Wednesday, October 28th, 2020 AT 2:21 PM (Merged)

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