Ok so my 2002 Ranger 4.0L thermostat housing leaked so I went to Ford and bought a new one. Put it in and put the old sensors back in only to find out that they leak really bad. I put sealer on them but it still leaked.

Went to Ford and they told me that the thermostat housing was updated to a new part and the part numbers were changed so the old sensors wouldn't fit. (They are very loose).

So I went back to Ford and told them that they had one of the sensors in stock, they brought it out and showed it to me. It has threads on it (the thermostat housing doesn't have a threaded part). I don't believe it will fit and they talked me out of buying it.

Has anyone encountered this problem with the thermostat housing or sensors? Any advice would be greatly appreciated.

http://bengrosser.com/howto/fordthermostat/

 

About 5 months ago I read a code that said the thermostat was stuck open (fortunately) so I replaced it anyway and cleared the code. About two weeks later got the same code and cleared it. It comes on and off once in awhile, it seems to be the part that always gets stuck

 

How does this help me figure out the temp sensor issue I was asking about?

 

Had Ford dealer fix it. $259 and that included a new thermostat housing, thermostat, o-rings, hose clamps, bolts and coolant.

 

Thanks for the posts on V6~4.0L~SOHC engines & TStat housings; good reference info.
Replaced the old leaking FRPlastic TStat Housing with a new Aluminum TStat Housing
in 2019Aug on a 2001 Ford ExSportTrac; no leaks as of 2020Mar after ~5K more miles.
My full write up with pics on that repair:
http://2001fordexplorersporttrac.fandom.com/Coolant_ThermoStat_Housing