After about 15 min of driving i noticed smoke coming from under my hood. I get out and notice right away that all my coolant is pouring out at once.

I let it finish and then add more. It leaks instantly.

I was able to pin point the leak to the rear right side of the engine (facing engine) above the tranny and between the block.

Any ideas

03 ford ranger 2.3l 5 speed

 

Welcome to the forum


In 2003 you will have a 2.3l DOHC Duratec(Mazda L) engine, earlier Rangers used a 2.3l SOHC Lima engine no relation to the Duratec

2.3l Duratec was designed for transverse(sideways) mounting in Front wheel drive cars, so there is a cooling line on the back of the head, which is easy to get to............in a car
In a Ranger it is almost impossible to get to without removing the transmission.

There is also a "T" fitting that can crack, have a read/look here, there are pictures: https://www.ranger-forums.com/dohc-2...t-hose-134714/

 

Hmm... Ill check the t. Hopefully thats it. Seems simple enough

 

yes, hopefully.

But keep that rear connection in the back of your head, and if trans ever needs to come out replace the connection just as preventive maintenance

 

this pic seems to be the source of my leak





Im not sure if it's a hose or the T...

Im also a bit confused... If it is a cracked T or a loose hose, why did it look like someone dumped a bucket of coolant over my engine?

Another thing, when i was changing out my tranny fluid i noticed the coolant was dripping. It was close to something like 1 drip every 10-15 secs. The following morning is when my truck puked.

 

The cooling system is pressurized when hot. I don't know exactly by how much, but I'd say about 15 PSI.

That being said, when something bursts open, whatever is behind it will go everywhere, in the same respect as when you pop a ballon, it doesn't just go straight down.

 

Is the T easy to switch out? Im going to try and remove it tomorrow morning and take it to few auto part stores so i can try and find the right size.

Also, i accidentally grabbed this coolant in a hurry...

http://www.peakhd.com/product-lines/final-charge/about/


Can i use it?

 

That coolant is OAT (organic acid technology)
In 2002 Ford switched to HOAT (Hybrid Organic Acid Technology)

It is more expensive but that is what 2003 would use, so I would return it and get HOAT, but you can use it, it won't cause any problems.

But I would NOT use any coolant after a cooling system repair, just use water for a few days, unless there will be sub-zero temps of course.
Make sure repair is not leaking before refilling with coolant.

And just my opinion, but I tend to switch my vehicles to the 2 year coolants when they get, or are, over 10 years old.
Because it is less expensive and because I know that I will get cooling system failures more often after 10 year age, often requiring getting new coolant to replace lost coolant before the 2 years are up, but don't mind changing coolant every 2 years if I get lucky and have no cooling system problems.

 

So after running water for a couple days i can use that heavy duty coolant? As far as the ease of switching out the T?

Thanks man.

 

poor boy,

Replacing the "T" can be done two ways.

1) Cutting out the original and creating your own brass Tee. Or do as I did and use a Sharkbite Brass Tee (P/N UC417LF).





2) Replacing the entire coolant hose. It can be done without dropping the trans. A few others have replaced it without
lowering the transmission. However, it is a lesson in patience and sanity. You'll definitely want to remove the front wheels
and splash guards/fender liners to get the best access to the octopus like hose.

 

Yes you can use the coolant of your choice, it is best to stick with OAT or HOAT, and the one you got is OAT.

"Heavy duty" are weasel words, like new and improved, or better and best, they don't have to be true legally, so grain of salt, don't pay more because of words.
That coolant could be exactly the same as a cheaper coolant and "Heavy Duty" could mean the jug it comes in is stronger than one of their other jugs, lol.

 

so i found the T thats needed, it is not brass. i will have to order it online. the hard plastic will be a temp fix.

however, while disconnecting the old T 2 other hoses disconnected.

i have 2 small thin hoses disconnected and 1 large hose disconnected.

one of the small hoses connects to the top of the T, but im unsure of the others.

i have pics. ill load them now.

 

i loaded the pics wrong

 

 

i was able to get the T connected and its holding coolant.

i still have no idea where the hose on the top rear middle hose connects or the two small hoses that **** above the T.

 

They are most likely vacuum hoses not coolant lines
IMRC vacuum control valve is right where "T" is

Look at post #15 here: https://www.ranger-forums.com/dohc-2...lation-144280/

Diagram here: 2001 ranger: stuck open..2.3L..tt..the intake manifold or in the head

 

so the 2 small hoses connect to the two ports.

what about the pcv hose?

 

Only found this reference: Horrible PCV Location 2001 2.3 Duratec 4 cyl - Ford Truck Enthusiasts Forums