Hey Im new here looking for some advice or guidance to the right path. Engine started to over heat open the hood to find the reddish colour (see photo) from the location Im thinking the compressor has failed. Please if anyone can confirm or any other idea Im willing to listen..

Thanks
Rick

 

Welcome to the forum

Don't recognize the engine??

What YEAR Ranger?
What size engine?

The 2nd picture is of the radiator cap and Transmission Cooler lines, those are not coolant lines

The white container with black cap looks like Power Steering fluid reservoir, again no coolant there

 

2008
4.0L
Ya the pics are of thw reddish fluid that was sprayed out. Definently nothing left in the RAD/tank and smell of burning coolant.

 

Welcome to the forum

Well the coolant should be the yellow stuff by 2008

And should come out the Overflow tank not the rad cap, so Rad cap is suspect

The rad cap has 2 valves inside
The larger valve and spring is pushed open when warming coolant Expands in the engine enough to generate 14psi pressure in the rad
Then some of the hot coolant is sent over to Overflow tank until pressure is under 14psi

After shut down the coolant in engine cools down and Shrinks, and pressure will go to -1psi, then the smaller valve in center of cap will ne sucked open and pull back coolant from overflow tank
This system keeps radiator fully Topped Up with coolant, no air
If overflow hose or tank gets clogged up then coolant may go out but can't come back in
So there is less and less coolant in the radiator, and you can get overheating

Or you may simply have had a leak in the system and coolant level got low

The rusty color is not a good sign of course, could be blown head gasket which also causes overheating
But could also be the coolant hasn't been changed in a long long time

 

Thanks so much for the info.. I am dreading the head gasket repair. Hopeing for something alot simpler. Was going to rig up todo an air test see if anything appears. The truck is not may daily driver and sits for a few months on end, try to give it a run once and awhile.

 

I have also been searching and came across another "common" issue, the thermostat houseing. Was going to try and get a closer look to see if any leakage around there.

 

The 4.0l SOHC is not known for having any head gasket issues, thats was the 4.0l OHV, way different Ranger engine

Yes, the plastic thermostat housing was an issue on the 4.0l SOHC engine, for sure

What does the Overflow tank look like?
Is it discolored, like the rusty color in pictures?

 

Tank is clear

Engine over all

Found some moister behind thermostat housing

 

Good read here on whats involved in replacing that: https://howtoreplacefordthermostathousing.com/

There are Metal versions of this housing available, its users choice, its a common failure but not that common

Color of the coolant was my concern, with no staining in overflow tank, head gasket will be fine

2008 Ranger should use HOAT(hybrid organic acid) coolant, yellow or gold color

 

What caused the "redish" spray still has me stumped. In that area is only the power steering and the compressor.

 

Well there is a Dye in AC fluid, it can be red

Trans cooler lines are there as well

But none of that would account for overheating engine

 

Lots more to investigate, you have been amazing thanks for all the help!!!

 

Could the red residue be AC clutch material fooling your eye?

I always associated coolant leaks with "snow residue" but I ain't no expert.