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Topic: Cooling problem (Read 1204 times) previous topic - next topic

Cooling problem

For a while fine.. all of a sudden im having problems wiht overheating. I replace my thermostat, everything was fine.. a fiew days later my car was running a little hot then cooling back down. Well now i drive it for like 45 minutes i overheat. I dont understand this. any ideas?

Re: Cooling problem

Reply #1 –
Does your car have an electric cooling fan or mechanical clutch fan? If the water pump gave out recently and you have a clutch fan, you may have to replace that too. If you have an electric/electronic fan you may want to check its operation. Some people hook fans to run all the time. My Cougar uses a clutch fan so I have limited experience with electric fan operation but I speculate that some kind of thermostat/ relay control is used.

In addition to the above see if you can borrow or buy, :(  a pressure gauge/hand pump for pressure testing cooling systems. If you have a mechanic friend, you might be able to trade a few beers for the use of one. ;)  Make sure your system is cold, pump it up to pressure and see if a small leak appears anywhere. Look carefully, a very small leak can, over the course of driving, cause the car to lose just enough fluid to lose cooling capacity and even make the car overheat. This can lead to the "chicken or egg" problem that can have you pulling your hair out trying to solve the problem.

Beyond these, it's possible to have a clogged radiator, collapsing hoses (running the engine beyond idle causes a hose to collapse), clogged engine cooling jacket (pretty remote on a newer car) incorrectly installed thermostat.  :mad: They only work right one way, found this out the hard way, wayback when. I suspect these problems are much less likely on your car though.

One last problem I had once was with a Ranger that getting the thermostat to align up was difficult and the gasket would keep it from working mechanically. I used hi-temp. silicone to afix the gasket in place correctly and let it dry overnight before reassembling.

There are a lot of fantastic people here that really love their cars. I know one of us will be able to help you get to a solution.

  Best of luck to you J.P. :)

Re: Cooling problem

Reply #2 –
Wow thanks for the detailed reply. To answer some of it.  I have a clutch belt drivin fan, apparently from what a mechanic told me on how to test it, it is fine.  The thermostat is in correctly and sealed up..as for the rest of what you suggested, im going to try and see if any of that is the problem.

Re: Cooling problem

Reply #3 –
do you have to add water every so often?
what year and engine size?

fan clutch- with cold engine, you should only be able to spin it by hand about 3/4 to 1 full turn.  If you want to make the fan clutch a sold clutch , add a longer bolt where the fan mates to the clutch. this will cruch the internal clutch and put it in a bind making it run the speed of the engine.

heater core- bypass the heater core - does you windshield fog up with heat on?

radiator-is there a damp area on the radiator if you gaze up in the fan shroud?

tstat- you say its ok

really hot or not-  does your engine actually over heat?

temp sensor - red wire on intake to sensor

smoke- does white smoke got out the tail pipe?

air in the system - park your car with the nose pointing up hill and  add coolant, place your hand tightly over the radiator opening and squeeze upper hose to work out air.  add more coolant, repeat till full and drive it.

Re: Cooling problem

Reply #4 –
Its an 88, 5.0

I will try all of these things mentioned.. for one i can bet their is air in the system.. but knowing my luck thats not all

Re: Cooling problem

Reply #5 –
I've got to Ditto the clogged radiator problem. I chased everything possible until I finally smartened up and sent the rad out for rebuild (one minor leak). IT WAS 90% PLUGGED !! according to the guy at the shop. That's all they do there so I have no reason to doubt him. Anyway $55 later and I've got a like new radiator and all my overheating problems mysteriously went away. Apparently the guy who had the car before I bought it just kept puttin' that stupid stop leak  in it to fix little leaks.

Re: Cooling problem

Reply #6 –
Excuse me , Mr. Cassity. Can you explain to me about "how to make" a solid clutch (or direct-drive fan...) process ? I´m very interested....

1985 Mercury Cougar V6
1989 F-200 V8
1996 Explorer V6
2001 F-150

Re: Cooling problem

Reply #7 –
i too would bet on the clogged radiator , happened to my 73 f250 after i put in a "rebuilt" 460 i bought off some guy. take the fan shroud off start the car let it get up to temp NOT HOT! just very warm to the touch of your radiator hose, SHUT OFF THE CAR! then slowly move your hand across the radiator it should all be the same temp if you have any cold spots the antifreeze aint going through that section of the core. this is a relatively fast, effective, and simple way to check for a pluged radiator , just be very sure to not burn yourself sometimes its hotter than you thought, and be very sure to shut off the car before you put your hand anywhere near the fan ... trust me it hurts!

Re: Cooling problem

Reply #8 –
If I was told I could only have one last word on this subject, I would emphasize BE CAREFUL running the engine and removing the radiator cap. I had a friend who thought he had left enough time for his car to cool to change out the antifreeze. While working he removed the radiator cap and the thermostat let go... It sent Hot water gushing out all over him and he had a light coat and long sleve shirt on. He ended up with third degree burns on his upper arm and chest!  :flame: I think he was lucky it didn't hit him in the face.

After seeing the nasty scars it left him with, I started taking that job Way more seriously.

Re: Cooling problem

Reply #9 –
I had the same cooling problem on my 87 T-Bird 3.8 TBI with 177,000 miles and the original radiator. I'd be driving for about 30-45 min and the temp gauge would creep near the H range. I'd add water in the coolent tank check for leaks and changed the thermostat with a 180 which also was also original but to no avail. Apparently the radiator was clogged thus reducing its capacity. A local radiator shop had a special on Ford radiators installed for $220 complete so I had it done for less than what it would cost to do myself. Now I can cruise all day with the AC on and temp gauge in the 1/4 to 1/2 range.
 

Re: Cooling problem

Reply #10 –
i was about to try all of this.. but i dont know anymore..this car has gave me nothing in return for me going in debt cause of it.