• Welcome Visitor! Please take a few seconds and Register for our forum. Even if you don't want to post, you can still 'Like' and react to posts.

New to me truck leaves puddle in front of bumper


Lil'Red1997

New Member
Joined
Dec 6, 2019
Messages
12
Reaction score
2
Points
3
Location
Kansas City
Vehicle Year
1997
Make / Model
Ford Ranger
Engine Type
2.3 (4 Cylinder)
Transmission
Manual
2WD / 4WD
2WD
I just bought a 1997 Ranger. I've only had it about a week and a half and only driven it maybe 40 miles. I used it to move into my new place and it has been sitting for 4 days. I've got several things to do to it to make it "perfect" but one has me perplexed. The appearance of a spot in the driveway... in front of the front bumper. Any ideas what the heck is going on? It was definitely not there when I parked the truck and has grown.
34364
 


4.0blue98

I don't feel tardy...
Supporting Member
TRS 20th Anniversary
Joined
Jan 5, 2008
Messages
900
Reaction score
672
Points
93
Location
Frederick, Maryland
Vehicle Year
1998
Make / Model
Ranger
Engine Type
4.0 V6
Engine Size
4.0 OHV
Transmission
Automatic
2WD / 4WD
4WD
Tire Size
Round
My credo
It was like that when I found it.
Anything wet on the underside of the truck? Fluids all full?
 

Lil'Red1997

New Member
Joined
Dec 6, 2019
Messages
12
Reaction score
2
Points
3
Location
Kansas City
Vehicle Year
1997
Make / Model
Ford Ranger
Engine Type
2.3 (4 Cylinder)
Transmission
Manual
2WD / 4WD
2WD
Coolant is low but all the stuff that lines up with the puddle is dry. There's a lot of "wet" coming down from the power steering and all over everything below it but that's got it's own little red puddle. The guy swore up and down it didn't leak but I guess he's a liar. Don't tell my wife my new truck put spots in her new driveway!
 

4.0blue98

I don't feel tardy...
Supporting Member
TRS 20th Anniversary
Joined
Jan 5, 2008
Messages
900
Reaction score
672
Points
93
Location
Frederick, Maryland
Vehicle Year
1998
Make / Model
Ranger
Engine Type
4.0 V6
Engine Size
4.0 OHV
Transmission
Automatic
2WD / 4WD
4WD
Tire Size
Round
My credo
It was like that when I found it.
Put a piece of white paper down (weight it down with something) so you can get an idea of any color to the fluid. Do you have an extra cooler out front for the PS? My 98 does.
 

Bgunner

Well-Known Member
Supporting Member
Joined
May 14, 2018
Messages
1,758
Reaction score
1,039
Points
113
Location
Western Mass.
Vehicle Year
1994
Make / Model
Ford/Ranger XLT
Engine Type
3.0 V6
Transmission
Manual
2WD / 4WD
2WD
Tire Size
225/70/R15
My credo
If it's not broken Don't Fix It!
I would suspect the Radiator has a leak. Top off the antifreeze and bring it up to temp and look all over the rad to see if it is wet or a slight spray. If you have A/C the condenser will be in front of the radiator so this part will be harder to inspect. If it doesn't have A/C then just look through the grill area to look for leaks.

Possibly the lower radiator hose is leaking so be sure to check here also.
 

PetroleumJunkie412

Official TRS EV Taunter
Supporting Member
TRS 20th Anniversary
TRS Event Participant
Joined
Oct 31, 2018
Messages
7,826
Reaction score
6,565
Points
113
Location
Dirtman's Basement
Vehicle Year
1988
Make / Model
Ranger
Engine Size
2.9l Trinity
Transmission
Manual
2WD / 4WD
4WD
My credo
Give 'yer balls a tug. Fight me.
Neighborhood stray dog that's a Chevy fan.

You know what you must do.
 

Lil'Red1997

New Member
Joined
Dec 6, 2019
Messages
12
Reaction score
2
Points
3
Location
Kansas City
Vehicle Year
1997
Make / Model
Ford Ranger
Engine Type
2.3 (4 Cylinder)
Transmission
Manual
2WD / 4WD
2WD
The liquid is sorta brownish and feels slightly oily but dries. Makes me think it's old coolant that needs to be changed. I've had leaks on cars before but all of them were under the vehicle. This puddle is literally in front of the truck. I'll try filling, running, and looking for leaks but how do I have a puddle that's not UNDER anything?
 

4.0blue98

I don't feel tardy...
Supporting Member
TRS 20th Anniversary
Joined
Jan 5, 2008
Messages
900
Reaction score
672
Points
93
Location
Frederick, Maryland
Vehicle Year
1998
Make / Model
Ranger
Engine Type
4.0 V6
Engine Size
4.0 OHV
Transmission
Automatic
2WD / 4WD
4WD
Tire Size
Round
My credo
It was like that when I found it.
Yeah, that's definitely weird that its way out in front. Anyone whose ever had a leaking house roof knows that fluids often don't fall straight down but yours seems to defy physics.
 

Grumpaw

Well-Known Member
U.S. Military - Veteran
Joined
Mar 20, 2019
Messages
2,189
Reaction score
1,504
Points
113
Location
Virginia
Vehicle Year
2009
Make / Model
Ford Ranger XL
Engine Type
2.3 (4 Cylinder)
Transmission
Automatic
2WD / 4WD
2WD
Total Lift
Stock
Total Drop
Stock
Tire Size
Stock 225/70/15
My credo
I don't count birthday's anymore...just happy to be looking down at the ground instead of looking up
Yeah, that's definitely weird that its way out in front. Anyone whose ever had a leaking house roof knows that fluids often don't fall straight down but yours seems to defy physics.
Leaking out front" is a guy thing...we don't leak straight down, why should his Ranger?
:icon_rofl:
Grumpaw
 

Uncle Gump

Token Old Guy
TRS Event Staff
TRS Forum Moderator
Supporting Member
VAGABOND
TRS Event Participant
Joined
Sep 17, 2018
Messages
13,709
Reaction score
13,165
Points
113
Location
Ottawa IL
Vehicle Year
2006/1986
Make / Model
Ranger/BroncoII
Engine Size
4.0L SOHC/2.9L
2WD / 4WD
4WD
My credo
Lead follow or get out of my way
Probably a pin hole in the radiator that sprays a small stream of coolant when the system is under pressure.
 

Lil'Red1997

New Member
Joined
Dec 6, 2019
Messages
12
Reaction score
2
Points
3
Location
Kansas City
Vehicle Year
1997
Make / Model
Ford Ranger
Engine Type
2.3 (4 Cylinder)
Transmission
Manual
2WD / 4WD
2WD
I bought a gallon of universal coolant (surprised it was orange) and topped up the radiator and overflow tank. I drove around the neighborhood a few miles and got the engine up to temperature according to the gauge on the dash. I didn't see anything spraying out when I parked it, but there was a slight bit of dampness on the driver side of the radiator where the metal fins and the plastic tank meet. I'll check it again tomorrow but I think we may have found the problem, this one anyway.
 

Lil'Red1997

New Member
Joined
Dec 6, 2019
Messages
12
Reaction score
2
Points
3
Location
Kansas City
Vehicle Year
1997
Make / Model
Ford Ranger
Engine Type
2.3 (4 Cylinder)
Transmission
Manual
2WD / 4WD
2WD
Whilst looking under the hood I leaned on the front of the truck and it moved backwards. I'm thinking my parking brake doesn't work very well. Perhaps the truck rolled backwards a bit when I was getting in-and-out trying to find the exhaust leak (top of the cat/resonator that is between front wheel and the cross member). I didn't really pay attention to the spot to notice that it was in front of the truck until after I investigated the exhaust. ?‍♂
 

Lil'Red1997

New Member
Joined
Dec 6, 2019
Messages
12
Reaction score
2
Points
3
Location
Kansas City
Vehicle Year
1997
Make / Model
Ford Ranger
Engine Type
2.3 (4 Cylinder)
Transmission
Manual
2WD / 4WD
2WD
So the truck has been sitting for 3 days. Looks like the leak has "stopped." It doesn't leak when it's not under pressure. That means it's a small hole, right? What do all of you think about some sort of stop leak product? Any recommendations on products that are better than others or terrible ones to stay away from? I'm looking for suggestions other than "replace the radiator" which I know is really the only right answer. This is an old, inexpensive, high mileage vehicle that was purchased as more of a play thing than a commuter vehicle so I don't want to put a bunch of money into it.
 

snoranger

Professional money waster
TRS Event Staff
TRS Forum Moderator
Supporting Member
Article Contributor
RBV's on Boost
ASE Certified Tech
VAGABOND
TRS Event Participant
GMRS Radio License
Joined
Nov 25, 2007
Messages
13,055
Reaction score
13,529
Points
113
Location
Jackson, NJ
Vehicle Year
'79,'94,'02,'23
Make / Model
All Fords
Engine Type
2.3 EcoBoost
Transmission
Automatic
2WD / 4WD
4WD
My credo
I didn't ask for your life story, just answer the question!
I'm looking for suggestions other than "replace the radiator" which I know is really the only right answer. This is an old, inexpensive, high mileage vehicle that was purchased as more of a play thing than a commuter vehicle so I don't want to put a bunch of money into it.
You said it... we don’t need to suggest it.
You can buy a radiator for about $75 on eBay.
 

Uncle Gump

Token Old Guy
TRS Event Staff
TRS Forum Moderator
Supporting Member
VAGABOND
TRS Event Participant
Joined
Sep 17, 2018
Messages
13,709
Reaction score
13,165
Points
113
Location
Ottawa IL
Vehicle Year
2006/1986
Make / Model
Ranger/BroncoII
Engine Size
4.0L SOHC/2.9L
2WD / 4WD
4WD
My credo
Lead follow or get out of my way
It would suck to take it out to play on a weekend... and it actually pukes and leaves you stranded.
 

Sponsored Ad


Sponsored Ad

Staff online

Today's birthdays

Member & Vendor Upgrades

For a small yearly donation, you can support this forum and receive a 'Supporting Member' banner, or become a 'Supporting Vendor' and promote your products here. Click the banner to find out how.

Truck of The Month


Kirby N.
March Truck of The Month

Recently Featured

Want to see your truck here? Share your photos and details in the forum.

Follow TRS On Instagram

TRS Events

25th Anniversary Sponsors

Check Out The TRS Store


Sponsored Ad


Sponsored Ad

Sponsored Ad


Amazon Deals

Top