1995 Ford Ranger 2.3L Thermostat

[@wwjoshdew]

This is NOT a tutorial. I struggled with this greatly and don’t think I did it right.

[@Milosz_Ostrow]

There is no need on the 2.3 litre I-4 engine to remove the fan shroud, fan blades and fan clutch or timing belt cover to change the thermostat. The two screws that hold the thermostat outlet housing are accessible with a mix of 1/4-inch drive regular and deep sockets, a 1/4-inch U-joint and various extensions. I was even able to use an air ratchet to speed up removal and reinstallation of the screws on my truck. Access is tight, but it's doable and it helps to get a small LED light in there to find the screw heads with your 10 mm socket. In my case it took longer to remove the residue of the old composite gasket than to get the housing removed, which I did with a flexible putty knife and a cone wire brush chucked in an angle drill. With a bit of practice and appropriate tools on hand a skilled mechanic should be able to accomplish it within half an hour.

[@larryjames7860]

When you fill back w coolant do you NEED the tool to get air out I've always just poured it in slowly

[@Milosz_Ostrow]

@@larryjames7860 - I had to perform the thermostat swap twice in January 2024, as the thermostat outlet housing on my truck had rusted out and I had to wait a couple of weeks for a replacement housing to be delivered. Both times I just filled the coolant system as high as it would go in the radiator, then checked the coolant level a few times over the next couple of days after short trips around town. It seems the system "burps" itself well enough, although mechanics doing it for hire may need special tools and tricks, because they can't keep vehicles around for days just to get the last bit of air out of the system. You could also put a pint or so of clean coolant into the coolant recovery tank and that would give a quick visual indication if the engine is getting rid of air, because the air will bubble out through the recovery tank and when the engine cools it will suck coolant, not air, from the tank.

[@DIYRANGER]

I don’t care what any of them are saying bro, this is a good video I know exactly what bolts your talking about. I didn’t know the fan came off like that very good to know. I need to change my serpentine belt tensioner but fans in the way this video is so clutch 👍🏼

[@DIYRANGER]

I’ve seen lots of videos this one is the best

[@wwjoshdew]

U appreciate the kind words. :)

[@marioquinones7226]

Taking off the waterpump pulley bolts (4 of them) then the 2 fan shroud bolts on top, then sliding or wiggling the fan blade with the clutch fan loose from the waterpump pulley, then sliding the fan blade/fan clutch and fan shroud upwards as a unit. Hope it helps

[@patcornwell9298]

You DONT need to remove the fan but from the one place . The left bolt is blind I beat the crap out of both hands .I guess I have fat fingers.

[@emilioestrada3743]

En español traducirlo el video

[@xxyy1318]

Not good to work with your ring on.