Skip to main content ↑ ↓
Topic: Overheating (maybe) 5.0 Explorer (Read 782 times) previous topic - next topic

Overheating (maybe) 5.0 Explorer

Hey all,
I've got a non-Fox related question for somebody, but it is a Ford.  It's a '99 Explorer Limited with the ever-popular 5.0 (GT40P heads, ha ha) and AWD.  Anyway, last night I cranked it up and noticed that the temp gauge buried all the way to the red, and it had been sitting parked for hours in 50 degree temperatures.  I shut it off immediately and got out and popped the hood.  No excessive temps could be felt around the motor.  I popped the radiator cap and no huge fountain of boiling steam.  I'm HOPING it's just a faulty gauge or sending unit.  However, it makes me really nervous to be without a reliable temp gauge, because this vehicle spends a lot of time on the road making trips, and it's the family vehicle.  Also, it's had the CHECK ENGINE light on for over 2 years with a clogged EGR code that I just have never taken it in for, and has never affected how it runs.  But, I don't have the good old Check Engine dummy light to tell me if it actually is overheating.  It's probably already thrown a code and I just can't see it.  Has anybody else had this happen to them, and if so, what do you suspect it is and/or how hard/expensive is it to fix?  It did it a few times this morning, and it does finally settle back down to where it should be.  Thanks for any help.

Fordman3

Overheating (maybe) 5.0 Explorer

Reply #1 –
I'd change the water temp sensor first.They are cheap and easy to swap.Run the truck to Autozone and they'll check the codes for free.Fix what is broken.Don't wait for it to get worse.
'88 Sport--T-5,MGW shifter,Trick Flow R intake,Ed Curtis cam,Trick Flow heads,Scorpion rockers,75mm Accufab t-body,3G,mini starter,Taurus fan,BBK long tube headers,O/R H-Pipe, Flowamaster Super 44's, deep and deeper Cobra R wheels, Mass Air and 24's,8.8 with 3.73's,140 mph speedo,Mach 1 chin spoiler,SN-95 springs,CHE control arms,aluminum drive shaft and a lot more..

Overheating (maybe) 5.0 Explorer

Reply #2 –
Disconnect your battery for about an hour, then reconnect. I had the same issue on my '98 Mountaineer 5.0 AWD. The temp gauge wouldn't move from its resting point but I did have heat. Changed the temp gauge sending unit; no effect. I even had the radiator flushed and the thermostat changed with no change in how the gauge worked. It was only when I had to disconnect the battery to change out the airbag crash sensor that, upon reconnection, I discovered that the gauge started working properly. It's been over a year with no problems with the gauge. Try that first, see if it helps.

Overheating (maybe) 5.0 Explorer

Reply #3 –
Was the car cold cold cold before you started it and how long till it overheated,
Maybe the head gasket, I would think any other issues the car would take 10-20 min to overheat like that.
 

Overheating (maybe) 5.0 Explorer

Reply #4 –
My 01 Grand Marquis had a code P0401, EGR flow insufficient.

The problem was the "tube mounted EGR pressure sensor".
Part # 9J460

Ford extended the warranty on this part for an additional two years or 24k miles because "the component has recently been improved upon".