I have a 2002 ford ranger 2.3L 35.5K miles. I purchased it new.

1. The water temp according to the scan tool is 260° at normal operating temperature. This is too high. The tech says the temp I'm getting is cylinder head temperature. I know on my Lightning the cylinder head temperature matches the water temperature. Are they BSing me?
2. I have taken it to the dealer three times for a leak in the front cover. Each time they have said there is not enough oil to warrant any repair. They say there is no proof the oil is coming from a bad gasket and that it is road grime. This last time they retorqued the front cover bolts.

I'm about to lose it with these Ford service people. I have purchased three Fords in the last few years.
1. April 2001 Lightning new
2. April 2002 Ranger new
3. October 2003 Excursion new
Do I have to switch to Dodges now. I didn't like the Chevy experience...

 

If your cylinder head temp is 260 then naturally your water temp is going to be 260 since the water flows right through the heads. Sounds to me like your service guy is on crack. I don't know exactly what degree t-stat a ranger uses but I'm just about positive it wouldn't be that high. I'd try another dealer and send a nice long letter to the one you've been using telling them why you wont be doing business with them anymore. Just my 0.02.

 

I datalog my Lightning all of the time. The water temp is always the same temp as the cylinder head temp...
The lady from the dealership says the mechanic has worked there for 20 years and know what he is talking about...I don't think so.
I'm on hold with Ford right now...
This kind of crap drives me crazy. It is almost like the dealer won't get paid for a warranty repair. I think it is a bad sensor...which would explain why the truck pings like crazy.

 

Definitely a viable option.
It's amazing how some people can hold a job that many years and still know nothing. I thought Ford constantly educated their mechanics as products become more advanced. I'll bet ya that mechanic could diagnose a 1985 ranger..LOL!!!

 

I wish a no warranty option was available. I'll end up fixing this problem on my own along with the brakes and 80 mph vibration on the 10K miles excursion and my lightning fog lights, again. My new starter for the Lightning wasn't covered either...and no, none of the fragments from the rods hit that...

 

Dude you got issues. I would be having a fit if i had bought that many vehicles and they can't fix some simple problems. Those vehicles shouldn't be giving you that much trouble. I wouldn't think.

 

Well, I talked with the Ford customer service people last night. They didn't do anything except call the dealer and waste an hour of my time.
Problem 1(leaking timing chain cover), the dealer re-torqued the cover bolts down tighter. I wonder what torque specs they tightened them to? I wonder in the back of my mind if they get paid to repair why don't they repair?
Problem 2(CHT reading shows 260 at operating temp), this is still ongoing. The service man who is working on my truck says 260° is normal for the 2.3 L ranger... Well it turns out he is right. I was finally able to get him to fax over the PCED sheet on that truck and it says 255-275. I guess Ford is somehow making these new 2.3L duratec rangers run higher cylinder head temps than water temp.

 

I guess Ford limited the flow of water around the head which in turn raises the temperature of the head and maybe increases the gas mileage along with the pinging I'm getting.

 

Pull the thermostat out.

 

I'll try that.