# 2000 Ford Ranger briefly overheating

**URL:** <https://community.cartalk.com/t/2000-ford-ranger-briefly-overheating/42462>\
**Category:** Maintenance/Repairs\
**Tags:** ford, ranger\
**Created:** [January 13, 2010, 3:26pm UTC](https://community.cartalk.com/t/2000-ford-ranger-briefly-overheating/42462 "2010-01-13T15:26:56Z")\
**Posts on this page:** 3\
**Page:** 1

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**Author:** ![Phiberry](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/p/ba8739/32.png) [@Phiberry](https://community.cartalk.com/u/Phiberry)\
**Post date:** [January 13, 2010, 3:26pm UTC](https://community.cartalk.com/t/2000-ford-ranger-briefly-overheating/42462/1 "2010-01-13T15:26:56Z")

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I’m driving a 2000 Ford ranger with about 145K miles. 3.0L V6 extended cab if that helps.  
  
  
  
 The truck’s temperature goes above normal when I first start driving it, and then falls back to a normal temperature. If I am running my heater, it does not blow hot air until the temperature falls back down. Today the temperature started to get to hot.  
  
  
  
 Thanks!

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**Author:** ![Tester](https://sea1.discourse-cdn.com/cartalk/user_avatar/community.cartalk.com/tester/32/15976_2.png) [@Tester](https://community.cartalk.com/u/Tester)\
**Post date:** [January 13, 2010, 3:39pm UTC](https://community.cartalk.com/t/2000-ford-ranger-briefly-overheating/42462/2 "2010-01-13T15:39:01Z")

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You might want to replace the thermostat to see if that fixes the problem. The thermostat could be sticking where it’s not opening when it should. This will cause the engine to start to overheat and you’ll get no heat because there’s no coolant flow thru the heater core. Once the thermostat finally pops open, the temperature drops and you get heat because now there’s coolant flowing thru the heater core.

Tester

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**Author:** ![hellokit](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/h/6a8cbe/32.png) [@hellokit](https://community.cartalk.com/u/hellokit)\
**Post date:** [January 13, 2010, 3:45pm UTC](https://community.cartalk.com/t/2000-ford-ranger-briefly-overheating/42462/3 "2010-01-13T15:45:08Z")

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First, check the coolant level in the radiator. Half fill the radiator overflow bottle.  
After the next drive, and engine cooling, remove the radiator cap and check the coolant level, again.