Bob-o

My 97 Ranger V6 is constantly running hot. 4 years ago I replaced the thermostat when the temp guage would peak and then drop. It is not dropping now and takes just minutes to get up there. Coolant checks fine, and strong smell of anti-freeze, yet no leaks. Any suggestions

Cronicus

the water pump is prolly out :(
when its cold outside start her up 1 last time and when the head fells like 150 degres or so grab the bottom radaitor hose and then the top, if there bolth cold its defintly the waterpump if just 1 is prolly the thermostat again unles you have had catastropic radiator faliure.
another thing i seen sum old timer do is pull the top radiator hose off and remove the thermostat, and fill the head and water outlet with sum mixed antifreeze. have sumone just barely turn over the engine and look at the water in the water outlet, it should either shoot out at you or dissapear, if it just sets your water pump is r.i.p. if it just bubbles or dissapears real real slow your water pump is going out and needs replacing.

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