I'm getting a 0128 code which indicates a stuck thermostat (among other possibilities). I thought it'd be easy & cheap to throw a new one in, just in case that was it. But when I traced the hoses from the radiator, it looks like it leads back, going behind the engine right up against the firewall. Am I missing something? That makes the scope of the job seem pretty big!! How long should I expect it to take to replace it?

 

Welcome to the forum

Thermostat is at the front but on lower rad hose, engine end of hose

2.3l Duratec engine does have a hose at the back of the head that is a pain to get to in Rangers, this hose and fitting should be changed if trans is ever off.
This 2.3l was designed for transverse mounting(FWD Cars) so the hose on the back of the head is a non-issue when engine is mounted sideways, lol.

 

that's awesome, thanks! never occurred to me to look there. It's easy-access too!! I gather it's not a cheap part, though

 

The thermostat? Nope, $10 $15.

 

Earlier models had heated thermostats so not cheap, yours doesn't so won't be too expensive

 

yeah, not bad - housing has built-in thermostat so not $10 but less than $30.
BTW the failure was a little rubber ring under the thermo pop-up that had detached from its seat and was preventing full closure of the thermo, giving 128 error code.

 

Thanks for the update and reason for the failure