My 1990 Ranger has been running rough at random for the past couple months, Recently I replaced the t-stat because the truck runs very cool (bareley passes the C on the gauge)
that had no effect on the temp ... I have very hot heat though. Today I noticed under the coil there was a trace of coolant leaking along the block....I found this because I have been loosing coolant. I have no oil/coolant mixture and no pressure coming through the overflow tank...no smoke of any kind from exhaust, coolant is not dirty at all. Engine has 190K and all hoses and T-fitting have been replaced... Could this be a head gasket ?

Thanks

 

just found it, coming from a small hole in the rear of the t-stat housing...

 

My '96 2.3 runs cool all the time too. I'm the original owner, and it has done that since day 1. I've replaced the thermostat a couple times over the years and it never helped. I've just accepted that its designed that way.

 

Yep my 2.3 runs cold to have changed thermostats even tried the motorcraft brand stats still no change.