Ford Ranger over heating problem?

I have a 2004 ranger edge 4.0L V6.

I keep having a an overheating issue only when going up hill.

I tried checking the fan clutch, doesn't even get passed one rotation so I think thats good.

I don't think it is the water pump as that went out on me about 2-3 years ago and was replaced.

Should I do a coolant flush? What are some other test i can do to determine the cause of the problem?

Also it was bubbling/overflowing from the reservoir today (first time that has happened)

Head gasket is the prime suspect. Get a pressure check.
Maybe the radiator is blocked, but also check the thermostat and the fan for correct operation

Pressure test the system for leaks. Check the head gasket with a chemical analyzer. Check for a clogged radiator. Flush and bleed the coolant.

Have a mechanic do a "block test" to find out if the head gasket is bad.

Hi sounds more like the radiator cap needs changing as the spring in the cap has become weak.

Check the radiator for clogs.

  • My car is over heating? I literally replaced EVERYTHING I COULD THINK OF. My moms boyfriend is a "mechanic" but he seems to make everything WORSE. I'm so upset it's annoying. It's a 2007 Ford Taurus (a complete piece of ****) and I want to resolve this issue. I can't afford a new car anytime soon.
  • Car acceleration problem and idle problem. The car is a 2003 Ford Taurus? . When the car is running and in parked its making a loud consisted rev noise. However the rpm needle thingy is not moving. when i'm in drive the car acclerates on its own with the speed ever increasing. i did some googling and learned that it can be the TPS sensor or the idle air intake valve, among a million other possiblities.
  • Why is there a grinding sound when I turn over my 94 ford ranger? Just recently I started to notice my truck would make a terrible grinding sound when I turn over the key. After it turns on it runs perfectly fine. I haven't noticed anything else but that. I don't know what the problem could be.
  • Did the Ford Ranger roll over when it was equipped with Firestone tires? I know of a Ford Explorer use to roll over in the nineties because it was equipped with tire blow out of Firestone tires. Ford Ranger at the time were also equipped with Firestone tires. If a Ford Ranger is equipped with Firestone tires is it really possible for it to roll over like the Ford Explorer.