I have mistakenly ordered a v6 radiator for my 2003 2.3 4 cyl ranger will this radiator work. the only difference I see is the v6 radiator has a radiator cap and mine does not. I would sure like to use this radiator and not have to go the trouble of returning it, trying to get a refund and ordering a new one.

 

Welcome to the forum

Does the new radiator have an automatic trans cooler hookup?
Does it have the same size in and out hoses and in the same position as the current one?

If so then its fine
You may need to get a solid rad cap, one that doesn't have a pressure valve inside, or one with an 18psi rating

Your 2003 2.3l runs a Degas cooling system, so doesn't have a "overflow" tank like other Rangers used, so didn't need a radiator cap at all
You use a Degas "bottle" as the high point in the cooling system, it has a pressure cap, and I think its rated at 16psi
It has some air inside the bottle, this air is compressed as engine/coolant heats up, so it allows the coolant to expand as its heated, and also raises the boiling point of the coolant

So your new rad cap needs to be rated at a higher pressure than the Degas bottles cap

 

Thanks RonD. all connections seem to be the same. There is a hose connection just below the cap. It looks like all I need then is radiator cap rated at 18 psi. If thats not a problem I should be good to go. Thanks again

 

Yes, that's the port used for an overflow tank

There should be no valve caps available, which would be best, they just seal the radiator like there is no cap
I think they are called "non-vented" caps
If not available then yes, you need a higher rating than the Degas bottles cap rating

 

Is the non degas syatem overflow tank pressureized. If not could I use a standard 16psi cap and leave the old degas tank open and use as a overflow tank. I could not find an 18psi cap. so far I have not found a non venting cap

 

No, the overflow system uses a vented tank on the inner fender to purge air from the radiator and replace it with coolant as engine cools down

The two systems are not compatable

You can try a 16psi cap, but I would get a hose that fits the cap openings port and run it down under engine bay in case cap opens you don't want it to spray hot coolant on the engine

 

what if i get an overflow tank for a 3,0 truck and install that

 

I see the issue better now. the 18psi cap would still not be as good because the nothing would flow in the overfllow tube until the cap opened from high pressure. the solution would be a blank cap (one thar only seals the top of the filler tube. they do sell them but the problem may be finding one that fits the rdiator. are they fairly standart or not

 

18psi cap would never open because there is a 16 psi cap on the Degas bottle, I think, you need to look

No, cap has to seal lower lip of the opening not the top, there is a outlet port inbetween

 

It would seem that sealing the upper lip would essentially make the tank like the original. The outlet port would be open to the recovery tank all the time like it was in the original radiator. sealing the upper lip would close the radiator as if it had no cap neck like the original one.

 

If you say so

You are there I am not
If factory radiator had a small hose from rad to degas bottle then yes, make sure hose is secured it will have 16psi pressure inside

You don't have an overflow tank
If its open to the air, then its an overflow tank
If it has a pressure cap then its a Degas bottle(tank)

 

Yes, the radiator for the 2.3 engine did have a small hose at the top of the radiator. Should be able to seal the filler neck with a blank cap and make it compatible with the degas system. The problem my be finding a cap that would seal properly.
thanks for all your help. I learned alot about the two systems. with out your guidance I wouldn't have. didn't mean sound argumentative if I did sorry.

 

Any cap that fits will work then
As long as the caps port is hooked up to something

All rad caps are sealed at the top

 

I have a question I have been unable to find an answer for. I have a 1996 4.0 OHV V6 and have a 13 psi cap that is new,never used. Everything I can find says my engine should have a 16 psi cap. My old cap has no markings on it so if I use the 13 psi what.if any issues might I have?
TIA
tom