Brand new member, I apologize for the reposting of this question but I didn't quite find the answer yet...

I have a '96 2.3L Ranger, manual with air conditioning. About a month and a half ago it started getting warmer out (here in Florida) and one day my engine randomly showed hot, I pulled over and the overflow tank was boiling. I let it sit, filled it up a little (not even 5 ounces), waiting and drove away fine. Two weeks later it did the same thing and I followed the same procedure as before, no problemo.

This weekend my truck did the same thing so I finally popped the hood and looked at it. This weekend I finally changed the following; 1) thermostat, 2) t-sensor, 3) hoses, 4) coolant flush and 4) water pump.

Before anyone asks, I did all the "at-home" tests and even took it to a shop and dropped a few bucks to make sure it was the head gasket.

Here's my real question; I took it back on I-95 (because it was at high speeds my truck was overheating) tonight and it's not overheating at all...praise God...but the needle isn't QUITE in the middle where I feel comfortable. I pushed the engine hard doing 70-75, full a/c for about 20-30 minutes and it never overheated. Before all the work I did, I only had about 5-10 minutes at high speeds (with NO a/c) and it was time to pull off the road in a cloud of steam.

Is it alright if my gauge is showing a little hot? If the gauge was a 100% scale I'd say it's at about 65% consistently.

Thoughts??? Thanks everyone!

Dom

 

Correction, when I say "consistently," I meant while at high speeds on I-95. It's right at the middle in normal, city driving.

 

sounds about right. mine goes to half on the idiot gauge.

 

shouldn't be a big deal. if you're that worried about it get a scangauge.

 

or UG. cheaper and better imo

 

Do you think I should replace the fan clutch?

 

Not sure what this is, sorry.

 

http://www.ultra-gauge.com/ultragauge/index.htm

 

is that really normal my old four cylinder would get up to opperating temp a bit past the n in normal, and the would go down to around 3/4 between cold and normal, some with my new truck to, so let me get this right it still does it but it takes longer? i would check to make sure the fan works right if when you pull over or before when you pulled over and you hear a pop then the thermostat sticks, but it might be the fan since you replaced it.

 

uh what temp thermostat did you put in? Makes a big difference if its a 185 vs 192/197

 

I would also check to make sure air can flow through the radiator. Mine gets plugged up every couple years with weeds, seeds, and dirt and has to be taken out and cleaned.

 

yeah thats another big thing and look for it being flattened from road debris hitting it, you can just by a special tool i think its called a radiator tool, be careful they are pretty delicate