Overheated!!

[Constable]

Well, I spent the day finishing my A-pillar guage install. I pulled the car out into my driveway and let it sit idling for about five minutes so the fluids could warm up.

They warmed up alright! My water temperature was just shy of the red line! I shut the car down as soon as I saw it and quickly popped the hood. The coolant resevoir appeared to be completely full (as opposed to the normal level of about 3/4). I let the car cool down for a bout an hour and started it again. Within three minutes, the guage was up to 3/4. I then called my L/M dealer and set up an 'emergency' appointment.

My buddy's coming to tow it to the dealer first thing in the morning... we'll see what happens.

[Fourth Horseman]

Well, I spent the day finishing my A-pillar guage install. I pulled the car out into my driveway and let it sit idling for about five minutes so the fluids could warm up.

They warmed up alright! My water temperature was just shy of the red line! I shut the car down as soon as I saw it and quickly popped the hood. The coolant resevoir appeared to be completely full (as opposed to the normal level of about 3/4). I let the car cool down for a bout an hour and started it again. Within three minutes, the guage was up to 3/4. I then called my L/M dealer and set up an 'emergency' appointment.

My buddy's coming to tow it to the dealer first thing in the morning... we'll see what happens.

Thermostat?

[Constable]

That's what I'm thinking... but we'll wait and see.

[ParkRanger]

Constable:

Keep us informed as I believe many may have similar situations. :(

Hope it's something simple. Keep the faith! :up:

PR

:cool:

[FordNut]

Did you refill the cooling system from the plug in the crossover pipe? That's the high point of the cooling system and if you don't fill it there it will have an air pocket and overheat.

[jgc61sr2002]

I would agree it sounds like a stuck thermostat or air in the system.

[Logan]

Or no pressure in the system. I had a radiator cap go bad on me...

[woaface]

I had Jiffy Lube forget to flush my system, just emptied the old and filled in the new. Found a new place though and the wrench is great. The more I drive, the cleaner the tube gets (since there was ALL that gunk that Jiffy Lube didn't fill in) But at least we figured out why the engine was getting so hot...there was crap beyond belief in there...

Besides, I know at least 3 people who've had Jiffy Lube blow up engines from not putting oil in the car!!!

[Murader03]

Sure sound like my experience back in Febraury. The engine has since been replaced for problems relating to the overheat. If indeed the thermostat is the problem, further engine problems might be in your immediate future. Oh yea! There's only one more rebuilt MM long block in the country as of last week, and it's in Airzona......

[Constable]

Thank you for all of your input. Yes, the cooling system was replenished at the "high-point" after the head cooling mod was performed. I highly doubt that an air pocket is the issue. I had put 1,500 miles on the car aftere the mod and experienced no cooling problems in that time. I hope it is the thermostat (easy). If any long-term damage has occured, I don't know exactly what my plan of action will be.

If it's just the thermostat, then it'll be fixed quick and easy. If it needs any new "hard" parts, then I think I might have to park the car for a while so that I can save money. If the engine has to come apart again, it's going to get some REAL nice internals and other hardware. I'll keep all of you posted.

[mcb26]

I had a 88 Cougar, with a similar problem. the local Ford dealer replaced the thermostat. It blew 2 weeks later. Had the car towed in to Ray Pearman L.M., where I should have taken it in the first place. Seams the Ford dealer put the thermostat on the wrong side of the gasket. The car was 500 miles out of warrenty when it blew. Ray Pearman had my car back to me in 3 days no charge.

[Constable]

Picked up my car this morning... the thermostat had stuck shut. IT was the 180 stat that came with my Stage 1 kit (had been installed 9-03). The tech kept his mouth shut and grabbed a 170 stat off the shelves to replace it. He said that nothing else appeared to be damaged (thank god).

On the way home I finally got to see my new gauges in action. In 95 degree weather with the AC blastin and my foot deep in the throttle, the car ran an oil temp of 190-200 and a trans temp of about 140-150. The water temp was reading about 1/3 of the way up... way cooler than it had ever ran since I bought it.

[BillyGman]

It's good to hear that everything is kay w/your car. I kinda wonder if this ocassional stuck thermostat occurence w/thesae cars has to do w/the fact that the thermostat housing is located in a coolant hose instead of bolted unto onto the intake manifold as it's been traditionaly located on most cars in the past.

[junehhan]

Out of curiosity, wouldn't a 170degree thermostat be a bit too cold for our engine? Running a 180 degree thermostat may not be a big different from the 188 degree stock one, but 170 is a huge jump. Your car will be running richer, and let's not forget running that cold can decrease engine life as you'll get more blowby contaminating the oil. I'm glad to hear that your dealer kept their mouth shut and helped you out! :)

[Constable]

Maybe we can have Dennis chime in on this one... I'd like to hear his opinion. I believe a handful of the members here are also running 170 stats.

[BillyGman]

well until he does chime in, let me say that I doubt that running a 170 thermostat would cause a rich mixture, but I think that it's possible that it might cause sludge build-up in the engine due to a colder operating temperature. Perhaps one that wasn't intended by the manufacture. I've heard of this being a possibility w/stats that are too cold, but weather or not 170 is actually too cold, I'm not sure.

[MarauderMark]

Glad to hear everything worked ok for you.some tense moments there.Maybe your next mod should be reinforcing the floor under your gas pedal as one day your foot might go through it. :lol: