Over heating
 

Hey guys , I have a 2000 3.0 v6 ranger xlt, my truck recently over heated when I took it in the problem was the elbow attachments that hold the sensor for the heat , it broke , so I had it changed , $690 , they checked water pump it was fine changed thermostat, and now it still over heats but not while I'm driving only when I stop after driving and if I step on the gas pedal the temp goes down , what is the problem ????

Welcome to the forum,


Classic sign of failing Fan Clutch which could have been caused by first overheating depending on how hot it got.

Start cold engine and let it run for 30 second, count to 30, then shut engine off and open the hood.
Spin the fan, it should spin easily.

Now go to work or whatever, as long as you drive it for at least 10 minutes so engine and radiator are warmed up.
Shut off engine and open the hood, try to spin fan now, it shouldn't "spin", you can move it but not spin it.

If it is still spinable, similar but maybe a little tighter than when cold, it is time to replace the fan clutch.

Fan pulls air thru radiator when vehicle is stopped, when driving air flow thru radiator comes from vehicle speed.
So engine warming up when stopped usually means fan is not pulling enough air thru radiator, raising RPMs will increase fan speed even with failing Fan Clutch

Water pump can show same symptom but it is RPM based not air flow based, and when stopped usually RPMs are low.

Easy test is to drive downhill and shift into neutral(Or get up to higher speed and coast in neutral), so RPMs are low but air flow thru rad is still high, if temp does not climb up like when stopped then fan is the problem, it temp does climb high then I would look at water pump again.

I tried what you said and the fan does spin easily, thanks for the info guess I'll change the clutch.

Ford Fan Clutch wrench set makes it easier.
Most autoparts stores will loan them or rent them.

After new fan clutch is installed you will now hear the fan on cold starts again and then that noise will fade away after 5-10 seconds or so, as the cold fluid in the clutch warms up and clutch releases grip on fan blades.

Most forget what that sounded like so think something might be wrong, lol.
Not hearing it is when something is wrong :)

Thanks for the help , I really appreciate it, I'm just upset that the auto shop didn't check everything after charging me so much money.

lol i just replaced mine with a supper duty and it sounds like a jet taking off, lol