I finally found why that Ford ranger kept overheating at idle

Been chasing a slow overheat on a 2001 Ranger for two weeks now. It only got hot sitting at lights over 200k miles, new thermostat and pump didn't fix it. Turned out the clutch fan hub was sticking, replaced it for $80, and it holds 195 steady. Has anyone else seen a worn clutch fan act this sneaky on these old 2.3s?

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patricialee2d ago

Man, I feel your pain on this one! I spent a whole weekend chasing a ghost in my old truck once, turns out it was the same deal, a fan hub that just gave up quietly. That $80 fix is way better than the two weeks of my life I’m never getting back, so good on you for finally cracking it.