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Hi guys, I have a 2002 Ford Ranger, V6 3.0. Only has 135k miles on it. I know it is approaching 20 years old, so there will always be issues. For a while it did not get driven a lot as it was my dad's truck and he did not drive much. He came to the point where he gave up driving and he gave me the truck. So the truck went from being driven once a month, to every day driving. I started smelling coolant when I got, and saw that the upper radiator hose had a pinhole leak. $40 in parts later I fixed that myself. Now I am seeing small coolant puddles in the driveway. I took a video of a slow drip. Would like to hear an experts opinion on the matter. Sorry for the heavy panting lol
I would change lower rad hose just because, when you change radiator
Replacement radiators are all for automatics now-a-days since they can be used on manuals or automatics
However the fan shroud may need to be changed to auto model if you have a manual trans, since the auto trans rads are double core, so thicker than stock manual trans rads
But if you have AC then it would be a double core regardless of transmission type
If replacing a 1Core PlasticTanked Radiator, I'd go for a 2or3Core AllAluminum.
If replacing a 2Core PlasticTanked Radiator, I'd go for a 3or4Core AllAluminum.
Just try to get the same top+bottom channel depth so the old fan shroud fits the new radiator.
If you can provide a link to a source for these radiators I'll buy you a beer.
Seriously, it's as if there has always been a radiator shortage. Are they made up when ordered?
"Replacement radiators are all for automatics now-a-days since they can be used on manuals or automatics However the fan shroud may need to be changed to auto model if you have a manual trans, since the auto trans rads are double core, so thicker than stock manual trans rads
But if you have AC then it would be a double core regardless of transmission type"
I'm In need of a replacement for a 2001 3.0 manual radiator, (it has AC but the condenser is separate and in good shape, and I didn't think that had anything to do with the radiator cores?) but I don't have a lot to spend on a replacement.
Would the GPD 2173C 1 Row Core radiator listed here https://www.rockauto.com/en/catalog/...,radiator,2172 on rockauto work without needing to replace the fan shroud and other parts?
and if so, what do you do about the transmission line fittings on the radiator? do you cap them off? or just put some tape over them?
Last edited by ksdunlap; Apr 14, 2021 at 11:27 AM.
Yes, if you have a single core radiator now you can replace it with a single core, thats fine, if avalable
Trans cooler fittings are on a separate "tube" inside a radiator, no connection to coolant part of radiator, it will come with caps installed usually but can be covered or ?? as you see fit
You can also take it to a rad shop, or probably any garage and get them to add air pressure, that will show where the leak is for sure.
It does look like the tank is leaking at the crimped joint, could also be a crack in the plastic tank.
Sometimes the lower rad hose leaks where it's clamped onto the rad, making it look like the rad itself is the problem.
Alright, TY RonD, going to try for the single core there then, and and hope it all fits together with no problem. (also mine is leaking from the crimped plastic end piece... could be the factory 20 yr old rad AFAIK, already checked the hoses and clamps :/ ... also my drain valve was broken off flush.. :/
Last edited by ksdunlap; Apr 15, 2021 at 10:51 PM.
