I really need somone who knows about these duratec engines and computer management. I have EXPLODED 3 radiators. tanks come off. bulge out and crack and leak all over. They have replaced the last radiators cuz of defects but now there saying I triped something in the computer that wansn't there before. From hitting the max speed limiter or rev limiter or somn like that. It stops at 87mph or so and I drove it there and hit the speed limiter briefly and I guess it tripped the computer to say that on the diagnostic. The radiator didn't blow til later. Would that really cause a radiator failure? The thermostat is new and the pressure cap is new(i know wtf.) Can they really blame it on me? Do fords really blow radiators when you hit the speed limiter? This is a 2001 Duratec 2.3L Ranger. I am thinking maybe a blown gasket or cracked head that is pumping compression into the cooling system but shouldn't the cap release the pressure??? They should have checked to make sure the cooling system was sealed tho I would think so that could be there fault if they didn't notice a blown head gasket... They are telling me I have to get a diagnostic to make sure nothing is wrong with the enigne. Could cost $1000... So anyone who knows anything about this please let me know.

Thanks,
Travis

I've pegged mine several times (I can get to 92MPH) and never had a problem. Sounds like you've got a serious problem and possibly a blown headgasket where the cylinder pressure is over-pressurizing the coolant, but if your radiator cap is doing it's job it should blow off long before you radiator blows out. I really don't know. Is it still under warranty? I've never heard of a diagnostic costing $1000 unless they are going to pull the head. Are they Ford radiators, or aftermarket ones?

Sounds like you have a blown headgasket.

Yea, my mom had the same problem but with her full size Blazer. Your blown out my friend. It's quite the prety penny to fix that too.

id agree with these guys... i go to college, and drive from tallahassee to home every other weekend, and i peg it out, all the way up to 95 mph, and never had a prob, so yeah bubba, you blew the head gasket i think.

I,m thinking if the truck is bad enough to leak compression into the water jacket and blow a radiator apart?? You would see the evidence at start up during the day. A misfire or steam. Unless it;s a cracked head then you might not see anything drastic in the morning until it warms up and it,s run hard.

you are prolly right spookster... i would agree with a cracked head... because the last car i had, also had a 2.5 liter but had no governor, and i cracked the head, and it was a pain in the ass to fix... only because it was expensive... because my last car was imported from japan... so parts werent cheap... alas, therein lies the problem of owning a freaking awesome import...

I really need somone who knows about these duratec engines and computer management. I have EXPLODED 3 radiators. tanks come off. bulge out and crack and leak all over. They have replaced the last radiators cuz of defects but now there saying I triped something in the computer that wansn't there before. From hitting the max speed limiter or rev limiter or somn like that. It stops at 87mph or so and I drove it there and hit the speed limiter briefly and I guess it tripped the computer to say that on the diagnostic. The radiator didn't blow til later. Would that really cause a radiator failure? The thermostat is new and the pressure cap is new(i know wtf.) Can they really blame it on me? Do fords really blow radiators when you hit the speed limiter? This is a 2001 Duratec 2.3L Ranger. I am thinking maybe a blown gasket or cracked head that is pumping compression into the cooling system but shouldn't the cap release the pressure??? They should have checked to make sure the cooling system was sealed tho I would think so that could be there fault if they didn't notice a blown head gasket... They are telling me I have to get a diagnostic to make sure nothing is wrong with the enigne. Could cost $1000... So anyone who knows anything about this please let me know.

Thanks,
Travis


Ive done 115mph in my truck (01 Ford Ranger 2.3 Dtec) and the only time my rad was replaced was under warranty. I have also blown my upper rad hose, overheated the motor and havent blow the head gasket so I call bs on the speed diagnosis. It might be the head gasket or a crappy batch of radiators cause mine blew with only 20k miles on the ticker. If it is a blow head gasket either a leakdown test would be appropriate to determine where it is and where its going. It better not cost $1000 for that test. If Ford is trying to jerk you around like that, Id find a ASC (Automotive Service Council member) shop to check it out and see what it might be. Personally Id check it myself but Im almost done with my AS in Automotive Technology.

The speed, and rev limiters are in place to keep you from damaging the motor, so there's no way hitting the limiter should cause a promblem, or why even have them on there.