I just purchased a 2003 2.3l. The engine never gets to operating temp (never gets above C). I believe I need to replace the thermostat. I have looked through the threads and see a bunch on replacing the thermostat, but do not see one for my year and engine. From what I've read, years 2002-2003 or something the thermostat and housing are one piece. I'm not a mechanic, but can follow directions. I have looked on YouTube and have not found a video for removing this specific thermostat. From related videos it just seems like I need to remove some of the hoses to get to it, which seems manageable. Can someone guide me. I am not even sure where it is.

Thanks

 

Welcome to the forum

Rangers used TWO different 2.3l engines
1983 to 1997 2.3l SOHC Lima engine
2001 to 2011 2.3l DOHC Duratec engine

So info can be confusing if you look at the wrong 2.3l engine info

The 2001-2003 2.3l DOHC Rangers have a heated thermostat and they do fail
Its located on the LOWER radiator hose at the engine end, and yes housing, heater and thermostat are one piece
It is an expensive part to replace, $130+

2004 to 2011 2.3l Rangers did NOT used a heated thermostat, exactly the same unit without the heater, $30

The 2001-2003 2.3l Computer will set a code and turn on the CEL(check engine light) if the heater fails or is unplugged, so that is not your problem, the thermostat has failed, which should fail open all the way, a "fail safe" mode, which has happened

You can replace the heated version with the less expensive version with no ill effect on engine or performance, thats exactly what Ford did in 2004, but they also removed the computer's software that checks if heater is connected, you can't do that
But you can leave the old heater/housing plugged in and wire tied out of the way so no CEL, while using the regular thermostat

Totally up to you

BUT............................is the engine actually NOT warming up..........................how is the heater in the cab, does it get very hot?
If its also just luke warm then yes thermostat is the issue, if its HOT then could be a temp gauge or sender issue

Computer should set a code(and turn on CEL) if engine is not warming up fast enough, and you do not mention that, so could just be a gauge or SENDER issue, no code for that

The Temp SENDER is only for the dash temp gauge, on the 2.3l DOHC, it is on a metal pipe at the rear of the engine, between head and firewall, not an expensive part
It has a 2 wire connector, you can unhook connector and short the 2 wires together, then turn on the key, gauge should go to HOT, if so then replace SENDER
It is a temp S E N D E R not a sensor, make sure you stress that when getting one, S E N D E R spell it out, they will still get you a sensor first time out, be polite and says "I need a S E N D E R, please", there is a big difference




Video on changing thermostat here, this is the non-heated version, heated version just has a 2 wire connector added:

 

Thanks for the info. The heater gets warm, but not hot. I'm not sure how hot the engine is getting, but after driving it 15 min the gauge never gets above C.

 

Re-read my post I added to it

If temp gauge is not moving at all I would replace SENDER on speculation, warm heater, and NO CEL, means thermostat is probably working at least a bit, you can look at that after gauge is working again

 

Can you walk me through the sender replacement? Thanks again

 

Nope, never done one

Most recommend pulling off the valve cover for better access, but have a look first

Picture here of the SENDER, its mislabeled as a sensor, thats the firewall behind the sender and EGR sensor, and the head in the foreground with valve cover removed

https://cimg1.ibsrv.net/gimg/www.ran...3e73499d28.jpg

Picture from this thread here: https://www.ranger-forums.com/dohc-2...t-sensor-8063/
At the end
There are also pictures of the CHT(cylinder head temp) sensor, that has NO CONNECTION to the temp gauge, so ignore it