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Thermostat location and replacement?

Tiny
WLEWALT
  • MEMBER
  • 1995 FORD RANGER
  • 150,000 MILES
I have a 95 Ranger, 2.3 L and I'm having trouble getting the thermostat installed. A little history, my son was driving it when he saw smoke coming from under the hood, turns out it was just steam. It appeared to me that the water pump failed, so I replaced it. Put coolant in it and it still leaked. I should have checked the thermostat while I was replacing the water pump. Ok, so I take the thermostat housing off and the old thermostat falls out in pieces. I notice some corrosion holes in the thermostat housing unit, so I replace it and the thermostat. After installing, it still leaks. I took some pictures of what I'm looking at, and if you could take a look at them to kind of point me in the right direction. I've had this thing on and off so many times that I'm getting frustrated, not to mention, multiple trips back and forth to the parts store for more gaskets. Any help would be appreciated.
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Sunday, June 30th, 2013 AT 7:55 AM

29 Replies

Tiny
JACOBANDNICKOLAS
  • MECHANIC
  • 108,179 POSTS
Hi:
The pictures didn't come through. However, are you making sure the thermostat is seating before putting it together. There should be a slight recess that the t-stat sits into. Here are the diagrams to hep you see what I am talking about for both the 4 and 6 cylinder engines. Check out the diagrams (Below). Please let us know what happens.
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Sunday, June 30th, 2013 AT 11:39 AM
Tiny
WLEWALT
  • MEMBER
  • 12 POSTS
Here are the pictures
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Sunday, June 30th, 2013 AT 11:46 AM
Tiny
JACOBANDNICKOLAS
  • MECHANIC
  • 108,179 POSTS
From the pictures, everything looks fine. Are you certain that the t-stat is seating in the recess of the housing? If that slips out, you will get a leak. Other than that, check to make sure everything is flat and true.
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Sunday, June 30th, 2013 AT 11:52 AM
Tiny
WLEWALT
  • MEMBER
  • 12 POSTS
The first picture shows the thermostat placed on top of the housing gasket, and the second picture shows the thermostat placed under the housing gasket. Which is the correct one? The third picture shows the housing, but I don't see any places for the tabs of the thermostat to fit in to.
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Sunday, June 30th, 2013 AT 11:56 AM
Tiny
JACOBANDNICKOLAS
  • MECHANIC
  • 108,179 POSTS
Check the housing and the engine block to see where the recess is located for the t-stat to fit into it. Install the t-stat into that recess, then the gasket goes on the opposite side.
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Sunday, June 30th, 2013 AT 12:00 PM
Tiny
WLEWALT
  • MEMBER
  • 12 POSTS
Ok, I'll do that. Now, the question about the gasket in the picture, which picture is correct, the first or the second one?
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Sunday, June 30th, 2013 AT 12:02 PM
Tiny
JACOBANDNICKOLAS
  • MECHANIC
  • 108,179 POSTS
Also, it is hard to see the last two pics. They are dark. It appears that there is old gasket material still on the housing. Make sure that is clean and dry when installing. (Both the housing and the engine block should be clean and dry)
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Sunday, June 30th, 2013 AT 12:02 PM
Tiny
WLEWALT
  • MEMBER
  • 12 POSTS
It is a brand new housing as well, so it is already clean. The area around the engine block is clean too, what a challenge that was!
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Sunday, June 30th, 2013 AT 12:05 PM
Tiny
JACOBANDNICKOLAS
  • MECHANIC
  • 108,179 POSTS
I know that cleaning old gasket material is a pain! Have you been able to locate the recess I mentioned?
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Sunday, June 30th, 2013 AT 9:03 PM
Tiny
CJ MEDEVAC
  • MECHANIC
  • 11,004 POSTS
FOUND YOU A DIAGRAM IN "MITCHELL 1"

IS IT POSSIBLE THE HOUSING IS FLIMSY AND OVER-TIGHTENING IT MIGHT MAKE IT BOW OUT IN THE MIDDLE?

THE MEDIC
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Sunday, June 30th, 2013 AT 9:28 PM
Tiny
MATT7664
  • MEMBER
  • 3 POSTS
  • 1994 FORD RANGER
  • 6 CYL
  • 2WD
  • AUTOMATIC
  • 119,000 MILES
What is the normal thermostat reading on a 1994 ranger 4.0. Mine usually reads between the O and R in normal on the dash. Should it read cooler
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Wednesday, October 28th, 2020 AT 12:34 PM (Merged)
Tiny
PROTECH1980
  • MEMBER
  • 901 POSTS
O and R are in the normal range, do you have an issue with the cooling system?
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Wednesday, October 28th, 2020 AT 12:34 PM (Merged)
Tiny
MATT7664
  • MEMBER
  • 3 POSTS
The heat and a/c work fine, but the thermostat gauge use to always be below the O.
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Wednesday, October 28th, 2020 AT 12:34 PM (Merged)
Tiny
PROTECH1980
  • MEMBER
  • 901 POSTS
Thats still within normal operating tempature range.
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Wednesday, October 28th, 2020 AT 12:34 PM (Merged)
Tiny
MATT7664
  • MEMBER
  • 3 POSTS
Thanks alot, I guess no need to worry. You been a great help
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Wednesday, October 28th, 2020 AT 12:34 PM (Merged)
Tiny
PROTECH1980
  • MEMBER
  • 901 POSTS
Your welcome
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Wednesday, October 28th, 2020 AT 12:34 PM (Merged)
Tiny
NMNA892000
  • MEMBER
  • 2 POSTS
  • 1994 FORD RANGER
Will not blow any heat need to replace thermostat
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Wednesday, October 28th, 2020 AT 12:34 PM (Merged)
Tiny
RIVERMIKERAT
  • MECHANIC
  • 6,110 POSTS
Is the coolant flowing in the cooling system? When you change the temperature and vent, do you hear the bleed/blend doors moving?

What engine do you have? The procedure is different for different sizes.
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Wednesday, October 28th, 2020 AT 12:34 PM (Merged)
Tiny
NMNA892000
  • MEMBER
  • 2 POSTS
Yes the coolant is flowing in the system. Yes I do hear the doors moving. 2.3 4 cylinder 8 spark plugs.
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Wednesday, October 28th, 2020 AT 12:34 PM (Merged)
Tiny
RIVERMIKERAT
  • MECHANIC
  • 6,110 POSTS
See image. Drain cooling system. Valve is on the bottom of the radiator. Use a drain pan. Coolant in the gutter is a felony in most places. Remove housing. Clean block and housing, removing all traces of old gasket. Note orientation of old thermostat. Apply RTV blue to housing and block. Reassemble.
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Wednesday, October 28th, 2020 AT 12:34 PM (Merged)

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