# Over heating

**URL:** <https://community.cartalk.com/t/over-heating/80733>\
**Category:** General Discussion\
**Tags:** ford, ranger\
**Created:** [August 5, 2013, 3:22am UTC](https://community.cartalk.com/t/over-heating/80733 "2013-08-05T03:22:19Z")\
**Posts on this page:** 7\
**Page:** 1

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**Author:** ![Dranel](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/d/7ea924/32.png) [@Dranel](https://community.cartalk.com/u/Dranel)\
**Post date:** [August 5, 2013, 3:22am UTC](https://community.cartalk.com/t/over-heating/80733/1 "2013-08-05T03:22:19Z")

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My 2000 Ford Ranger over heats when I stop at traffic lights. I took it to Tire Kingdom and hey suggested a new thermostat and a radiator flush. I did both and it continues. What is the issue?

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**Author:** ![VDCdriver](https://sea1.discourse-cdn.com/cartalk/user_avatar/community.cartalk.com/vdcdriver/32/30_2.png) [@VDCdriver](https://community.cartalk.com/u/VDCdriver)\
**Post date:** [August 5, 2013, 3:30am UTC](https://community.cartalk.com/t/over-heating/80733/2 "2013-08-05T03:30:38Z")

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Have you (or a mechanic) verified that the cooling fans are operating as they are supposed to?

I would suggest avoiding tire stores and taking the car to a **real** mechanic of the independent variety.

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**Author:** ![missileman](https://sea1.discourse-cdn.com/cartalk/user_avatar/community.cartalk.com/missileman/32/1366_2.png) [@missileman](https://community.cartalk.com/u/missileman)\
**Post date:** [August 5, 2013, 3:53am UTC](https://community.cartalk.com/t/over-heating/80733/3 "2013-08-05T03:53:08Z")

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A BIG +1 for @VDCdriver on this one.

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**Author:** ![kmccune](https://sea1.discourse-cdn.com/cartalk/user_avatar/community.cartalk.com/kmccune/32/1237_2.png) [@kmccune](https://community.cartalk.com/u/kmccune)\
**Post date:** [August 5, 2013, 4:11am UTC](https://community.cartalk.com/t/over-heating/80733/4 "2013-08-05T04:11:21Z")

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Probaly need a new radiator,Fords seemed to be especially bad about the coolant going bad after a certain interval and a lot of Folks just dont see the need for a coolant change. I Remember a Pinto I bought,it hadnt gave trouble yet,but one day I popped the radiator cap and it looked like orange crush in there so I flushed and changed the coolant as quick as possible.From then on out.I was always careful about the coolant,but when you swap the coolant use commercial50/50 or cut straight glycol with rainwater or distilled water,only use tap water as a last resort(a plugged radiator is hard to clean)-Kevin

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**Author:** ![db4690](https://sea1.discourse-cdn.com/cartalk/user_avatar/community.cartalk.com/db4690/32/2583_2.png) [@db4690](https://community.cartalk.com/u/db4690)\
**Post date:** [August 5, 2013, 6:18am UTC](https://community.cartalk.com/t/over-heating/80733/5 "2013-08-05T06:18:52Z")

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Sounds like your fan clutch may have failed

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**Author:** ![jesmed1](https://sea1.discourse-cdn.com/cartalk/user_avatar/community.cartalk.com/jesmed1/32/2097_2.png) [@jesmed1](https://community.cartalk.com/u/jesmed1)\
**Post date:** [August 5, 2013, 8:35pm UTC](https://community.cartalk.com/t/over-heating/80733/6 "2013-08-05T20:35:57Z")

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Could also be a bad water pump. But first check the fan as suggested above.

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**Author:** ![kmccune](https://sea1.discourse-cdn.com/cartalk/user_avatar/community.cartalk.com/kmccune/32/1237_2.png) [@kmccune](https://community.cartalk.com/u/kmccune)\
**Post date:** [August 6, 2013, 4:36am UTC](https://community.cartalk.com/t/over-heating/80733/7 "2013-08-06T04:36:00Z")

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Always do the cheap stuff first,if you are not sure of the problem-Kevin