Please advise me. I'm trying to decide if it's time to buy a new truck or to keep investing maintenance dollars in my 1995 Ford Ranger 4.0L V6. I am the original owner. My odometer only works sporadically now, so I don't know my mileage, but guess it's about 100,000. I had the transmission fluid changed, and the antifreeze flushed 12/05. I had the brakes done (resurfaced the rotors and new pads), and spark plugs/wires replaced, ignition wires replaced, serpentine belt replaced at 80,652 miles the end of Sept. 2006 (I'd replaced the belt in 2002 also). I had the DPFE sensor replaced twice, the last in 4/07, along with the heater control valve. It got shocks at Sears in 6/02 and tires too. We positivity hate the ride we got after those new tires and shocks. The original tires/shocks gave a smooth ride. Due to tire age rather than tread wear, we are looking at replacing the tires in 2009. That looks to be about a $500 expense. New transmission filter in 3/08.

More to the post: I have a slow leak of radiator fluid. The driver's power window is acting up again.

I would consider it a member of the family and keep it going a long time.

Took it to the shop today. The leak was in the radiator, so they said. Takes a new radiator, hoses, thermostat.

If they haven't finished the work yet, have them refill the radiator with a 50/50 mixture of traditional green antifreeze and distilled water. This will eliminate mineral deposits from forming in the new radiator and heater core. This link may help:

https://www.askmehelpdesk.com/cars-trucks/faq-how-troubleshoot-repair-maintain-hondas-46563-7.html#post1365453

Start using full-synthetic lubricants in the engine, transmission, differential, and power steering unit. If you do, the truck should go 250,000 miles. Change synthetic engine oil and filter every 6,000 miles or 6 months, whichever comes first, automatic transmission fluid every 30,000 miles, 75W-90 differential gear oil every 100,000 miles, and partially change power steering fluid every 40,000 miles.

Thank you so much for your input. I would go to the store today to get the antifreeze you describe -- but let me ask this first: Today is Sunday. Monday morning they are scheduled to put in the new radiator. It's already there in the shop waiting for me to drop the truck off at 7 a.m. Is putting that new antifreeze in for less than one day going to accomplish anything?

Also, please tell me if this makes sense. They put the pressure gauge on the truck and took it up on the lift. Drops of antifreeze formed on the bottom driver's side corner of the radiator. I'm puzzled why they assumed it was from the radiator and not that it was running down the radiator from a higher point to collect at the bottom corner. Is it really the radiator is bad?

Oh, I just woke up enough to figure out you are probably meaning they should fill the NEW radiator with the correct mixture -- so sorry, I thought at first you meant to put the mixture in the old one. Duh. So sorry to be so sleepy as to ask a dumb question.

"75W-90 differential gear oil every 100,000 miles" -- forgive me for another dumb question. I don't think I've seen this in my owner's manual. I didn't even know there was such a thing as differential gear oil. Where is it located? Do we drain it out all the way and refill?

Thank you for your patience with my ignorance.

Yes, the comment applied to your new radiator. Many cooling system problems are directly attributable to using tap water. Never, never use well water.

Take a ratchet wrench and remove the plug on the top front of the differential. Use a suitable pump to remove and add gear oil. Pump out the old gear oil, when the differential is at normal operating temperature. Owner's Manuals for Ford trucks I've seen specify doing this every 100,000, even with full-synthetic gear oil. If you work your truck hard, I'd do it more frequently. Add gear oil to 1/4" below the filler opening.

So do you agree it is most likely the radiator leaking?

Sounds like it. Like you said, many times leaks are located higher up and drip down. Have them use radiator hose grease on connections, to make it easier next time to remove hoses.

You are so kind to help me with my truck issues. I have more questions for your expert opinion. My truck has 101,175 miles on it. It's a 1995, 2 wheel drive, regular cab, 4.0L V6.

1) How often should I replace the serpentine belt? Mine was last done 9/29/06 at od. 80,769.

2) How often to change the PCV valve? Mine was last done 12/3/05 at od 72,192 , I think.

3) A maintenance paper I have says to "lubricate driveshaft U-joint if equipped with grease fittings, and lubricate slip yoke if equipped." Are either/both things for a 4X4? I have a 2 wheel drive truck.

4) How often to do fuel injection cleaner? Mine was last done 12/3/05 at od 72,192.

5) How often to lubricate steering linkage suspension? I have a copy of a maintenance paper for a 95,000 mile service plan, and it's on there. The problem is I don't have other pages for other service plan intervals to let me know the proper interval.

6) How often to get a new fuel filter? Mine was last done 12/3/05 at od 72,192.

7) How often to get the a fuel injection cleaner service? Mine was last done 12/3/05 at od 72,192, I think.

Thank you again for your expert opinion. :)

1. Replace serpentine belt AND idler pulley every 80,000 miles:

https://www.askmehelpdesk.com/cars-trucks/faq-how-troubleshoot-repair-maintain-hondas-46563-5.html#post578394

2. Change PCV Valve every 50,000 miles.

3. It's very important to lubricate the zerc fittings on front and rear u-joints of the driveshaft. If the front u-joint breaks, it can catapult the truck into air, flipping it end-over-end. At high speed, it's usually fatal. If you don't have zerc fittings, have the u-joints removed and repacked or install new yolks with zerc fittings. Make sure to grease new u-joints--they come with "packing" grease in them to prevent rust. It all needs to be forced out with fresh grease (ideally synthetic multi-purpose).

4. Add Shell Regane or Chevron Techron, every 6,000 miles, to the gas tank.

5. Lubricate zerc fittings (usually 4) on steering linkage with synthetic multi-purpose grease every 20,000 miles. Be sure to wipe old grease and dirt off the zerc fitting first. One pump from a grease gun is enough--you don't want the boot to swell. Wipe off excess grease, to prevent attracting dirt. Easy job.

6. Replace fuel filter every 30,000 miles. If you don't, you risk burning out the fuel pump or causing fuel-related injector problems. Here's how:

https://www.askmehelpdesk.com/cars-trucks/faq-how-troubleshoot-repair-maintain-hondas-46563-8.html#post1389619

7. I've never done this procedure.

Change air filter every 30,000 miles, brake fluid every 2 years, and coolant every 3 years or 30,000 miles (whichever comes first). Start a Maintenance Log and record everything--I like using Microsoft Word.