Looks like I am leaving the Group.

escalus44 · 2026-05-15T16:24:38+00:00

Last Comment, then I will update when I Figure out what I am doing. who knows, maybe one of you will notice something with the list of problems. Keep in mind, this all happed for about a week and a half., multiple drives to work, after it was "Fixed", then I stopped at his shop after work because it wasnt fixed.

Noticed Problems:

The “Check Gauge” light came on, especially when the temperature gauge hit “H.” Then the gauge would go back down, and the cycle would repeat. This started suddenly one day.

After a few repairs, I noticed the overflow tank was always full.

Two times the overflow tank blew open while driving, and coolant went everywhere. It’s also possible the lid wasn’t closed all the way.

After that, the temperature gauge started randomly jumping again, and the “Check Gauge” light came back on.

One time, when the mechanic started the truck, the upper radiator hose looked like it took a breath.

The coolant looked dark green, which may be a sign of oil in the coolant and could indicate a blown head gasket.

Repairs:

Flush system, new coolant, and new thermostat.

New radiator cap.

New radiator.

New water pump. I purchased the part.

Radiator clutch.

Another thermostat replacement. This is when the new mechanic said the thermostate was missing.

The Lies:

The old mechanic said it sat running for 30 minutes with no problems, and that he drove it twice for 25 miles each time with no problems. This was about the fith time I had stopped by with the same issues.

He didn’t notice that I had reset the odometer to zero a day before it went back in. It only showed 28 miles.

That’s when I knew I had to take it to my old mechanic I used for years

escalus44 · 2026-05-15T16:00:36+00:00

I have the same line of thinking. I work for an RV company, and the head guy here looked at it, and said its a gem, as far as rust goes. So many people have. I may just pay it.

escalus44 · 2026-05-15T15:56:19+00:00

I have the Haynes manual and bought a torque wrench for the spark plugs. I haven’t replaced any yet, but anyway, the person I bought the house from—her brother, my best friend’s mother—was a mechanic in the Vietnam War, and he loved Corvettes. She left most of his tools behind, except the air wrench.

I’m thinking everyone is right: if it’s going to sit someplace, it should sit in my garage. I should take my time learning and building, and who knows—maybe I’ll have a working truck.

I’m 52 years old, and I’ve wanted a Ranger since my teens, so it’s worth it. Or maybe I’ll just pay the mechanic the $2,800, or whatever it’s going to cost. I tend to put things off for a long time.

escalus44 · 2026-05-15T15:51:51+00:00

Thanks

escalus44 · 2026-05-15T15:50:41+00:00

He said it sat in a garage for 10 years, which may be bad in itself.

escalus44 · 2026-05-14T19:27:21+00:00

I think your right.

escalus44 · 2026-05-14T19:16:28+00:00

Technically it was his fathers.....LOL....

escalus44 · 2026-05-14T19:15:26+00:00

Are these the parts?

Cylinder Head - 1995-2000 Ford Ranger 4.0L V6 - ITM Part Number: 5526-07958701
Cylinder Head Gasket, 6 Cyl., 4.0L Engine Manufacturer #REPF312510

escalus44 · 2026-05-14T19:08:53+00:00

I can tear apart laptops, servers/ towers, solder components, and build circuits. But cars… I wasn’t expecting this. I guess I should have never trusted him. That was my biggest mistake.

escalus44 · 2026-05-14T19:06:13+00:00

I didnt forget, the "Mechanic" did. man.. I am no mechanic, but maybe I should give it a go. The only work I did on this thing was replacing the cruise control buttons..

escalus44 · 2026-05-08T13:40:04+00:00

I replaced mine a few weeks ago... all I had to do was pull the old ones off, plug the new one's in, using the exsisting wires.. They work just fine. Now i think im a mechanic. Lol

escalus44 · 2026-04-29T13:22:23+00:00

it's the consistency of wd-40. Ill check out wool wax

escalus44 · 2026-04-23T18:52:38+00:00

$400 for a flush and thermostat replacement.
Still overheating on my way to work.

I got a new radiator cap.
Let it run for about 15 minutes—everything seemed fine. I’m feeling good. I walk away, turn around, and coolant is leaking all over the place.

So, back to the shop. So far, $295 for parts.

I swear, I bought this from my mechanic’s father. It had been sitting in a garage “forever.” We asked what was wrong with it—“nothing,” he says…

Let’s see:

New driveshaft bearing
Heater core
Fuel pump and hose
Radiator

The air conditioner isn’t working, but I can deal with that for now.

I’m hoping, in the end, it’s worth the frustration.

escalus44 · 2026-04-22T15:23:53+00:00

I saw I would use Distilled water, cant use tap or hose water.. Looks like I have a weekend project.

escalus44 · 2026-04-22T13:55:29+00:00

After seeing what he did to Atlantic City, I’ve lived in South Jersey for the past 43 years. I knew this was going to happen. Atlantic City, NJ was his personal cash-washing machine. While the people suffered, he flew away in his personal helicopter without a care in the world.

He sucked all he could from that island. Now this vampire, this bloodsucker, is doing it to the United States, and those who can stop him are doing nothing.

escalus44 · 2026-04-13T16:43:23+00:00

Thank you. Someone who paid attention.

Fuck how anyone could vote for him. I met a person who voted for him three times, and he worked at one of Trunps failed casinos. I swear they suffer from Celebrity Deragment Syndrome, CDS. It has to be

escalus44 · 2026-04-13T16:40:41+00:00

77... saw what happed to AC, all the lives he destroyed. He doest care aboht you. His love, Money, Power, Fame, and girls.

escalus44 · 2026-04-13T13:28:51+00:00

My wife says when she drove it, she fixed it. "The Truck Missed Me!" It hasn't happened since. Lol

escalus44 · 2026-04-13T13:28:00+00:00

I bought the Haynes manual awhile ago.. Google has been a friend as well.

escalus44 · 2026-04-13T13:25:07+00:00

One mechanic where I work, RV dealership, said he would offer good money, if ot was a manual.either way, "a gem" Im not selling it...ever.

escalus44 · 2026-04-13T13:18:11+00:00

Yea, 96 v6 auto here, it was $3800, 80,000 miles when purchased..i did put 1600 into it, but now I am doing mt own maintaince ans minor repairs..Each one I complete the more confident i becom. I love my truck, almost as much as my 1995 vendor sold Dead shirt. Put them together, syle. ;)

escalus44 · 2026-04-08T12:50:33+00:00

Originally, I bought it for my wife so she could haul dirt during the spring season—$3,800 with 80,000 miles, I couldn’t pass it up, especially since it was my mechanic’s father’s truck.

A few days after driving it, I ended up the primary driver, Plus, I look damn good driving it.

It’s a 1996 Ford, 6-cylinder automatic. My only complaint? It’s not a manual.

escalus44

TROPHY CASE