Well I brought my 2004 2.3 Ranger in for a new EGR and upon replacing the coolant the mechanic said he could not get the cap back on the recovery tank. Long story short they called me and said they have to replace the plastic recovery tank for another $70 Total $853 , I admit the cap was not the easiest to get off when I had to add coolant but I feel he forced it and stripped it, Do you think this is possible? Thanks Charlie

 

Yes, they probably did, but..............if it was hard to use before there was already something wrong, so not sure you would have much push back for "YOU broke it, you pay for it", and the $70 is reasonable price for the part.
Check the cap now, if its still hard to get off then complain


I am sure you know but the 2.3l Duratec used a degas tank, also called an expansion tank, not an overflow tank

All other Rangers used an overflow tank, it is a non-pressurize tank that allows coolant to expand as it heats up and flow out of radiator and into tank, then on cool down coolant is sucked back in via the TWO valve radiator cap

The Degas system leaves air at the top of the pressure tank, which allows coolant to expand as it heats up, it uses a one valve cap with an overflow hose, no coolant should come out of the overflow hose, if it does then system was over filled, or cap is bad, or engine is overheating