2003 2.3. 3.0, 183k,4x2 automatic.Owned for 12 yrs. Suddenly no heat.( Reside in Wisconsin). Took in for radiator, heater core flush. Flushed it, no heat. Changed radiator cap. No heat. Said needed radiator ( didnt sit well with me), but said ok. Got it back at closing. Guy mentioned my truck idling very rough. Oh man was it. CEL came on. Wants to die on idle. Have to run with foot on gas, and brake at stops. Was running fine when brought in. Throwing codes for O2 sensors running lean. They never told me where plug was after flush. New lifetime plugs, wires, coul 2 yrs ago, tuneup. Maintained well. What did they do? Offered to fix if willing to pay. Already got me for $512. I dont believe i needed a new radiator, but do have heat. Charged me for 1 gallon antifreeze. Arent new rads pre filled? Overflow filled to top, not fill line. Runs down highway fine.

 

CEL is on, what are the codes, exactly?
There are a few O2 Lean Codes

No, radiators are never "pre-filled"

If its running rough there should be misfire codes as well
There is no connection between cooling system and engine running rough unless you have a blown head gasket

You have a Degas cooling system in a 2003 2.3l Ranger
So no "overflow" bottle/tank, just has the Degas bottle at the top
Its a closed system
Enough air is left in the system in the Degas bottle, i.e. the full line when coolant is cold, so there is room for coolant to expand
As engine heats up coolant expands and compresses the air in the bottle so coolant level goes up, Degas bottle cap is usually rated for 16psi, so it will release extra pressure and coolant, if its too full, or engine gets too hot
Anytime you see an "overflow tank" with a tight fitting cap with a PSI rating on it, its a Degas system, all other Rangers did use an overflow system with Vented cap on overflow tank

But coolant level should go down to the line after engine cools off

Rough running at idle could be a vacuum line has been knocked/pulled off while they were doing their engine work
Will also cause Lean codes

 

P0300, 0301,0303,0306. P0171. P2195, P2197. CEL on. Can smell gas. None of this was going on before radiator put in. Overfliw just has snap cap like widow cleaner canister. Filled all the way to top. Fill line is halway. Do not think radiator is problem. Its the dang idle. I dont know what they did to my perfectly running truck! They dont know either, and still gave it back, knowing this. Was idling the truck the other day, warming it up(-4°). Have to keep foot on gas to keep idling. Reved up after warming up, wouldnt go over 4,000rpms. Did they mess up my truck or just a vacuum leak. Im a little 64 yr old grannie. I can do minor repairs. They broke me with $512 bill. Been running around. Works fine on highway. Can i run it like this for a little while?

 

Some thing is wrong with info

I see you have a 2003 2.3l which is a 4cyl engine?
And you are posting in the 4cyl forum.........

You have a misfire code for cylinder 6, P0306?

 

Sorry. Newbie, and this is my second Ranger, and last one was a 4 cyl. I thought this one was too. No its a 2.3l, 6 banger. Sorry, again. Yes P0306.

 

2.3l is a 4cyl
Rangers had 3.0l V6 or a 4.0l V6 as options in 2003
Which one do you have?
It matters

 

It is 3.1 V6