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View Full Version : Help, Im overheating and more!



MarauderMarc
12-27-2005, 01:51 PM
Well, as of last night my car started to overheat, blow cold air when the heater is turned on and it even started to knock when it overheated. Sometimes my temp guage will stay below cold and wont even register for like 15 minutes of driving. Then when it does, it skyrockets and still blows cold air. Is this just my thermostat, of maybe something more serious?

For a while, my cars temp guage would rise for 2-3 minutes and go back to normal and it wouldnt happen again for weeks. Thought it was an air bubble. Please, any suggestions will do. I hate having a new car that is going poo.

Dennis Reinhart
12-27-2005, 02:11 PM
Make sure the car is cold and loosen the fitting on the crossover pipe and check and see if there is air in the system to do this start the car up and bleed the air out, have you changed the Thermostat and have you added under drive pullies call me if I can help

RF Overlord
12-27-2005, 02:25 PM
^^^what Dennis said^^^

Sounds like you have an air pocket...pull the small round plug from the crossover pipe and top off the coolant from there. Put the plug on LOOSELY and run the motor until it's warm, and all the air has stopped hissing and spitting out, then tighten the plug.

David Morton
12-27-2005, 02:31 PM
Classic low coolant level. Look for leaks or a bad thermostat, coolant isn't something engines "use up".

Good methods described here for filling it up when you do find the cause.

Mike Poore
12-27-2005, 02:59 PM
I think, from BigHouse' post a couple of weeks ago, you'll need to take the radiator cap off as well. Something about an eruption rivaling the Mt. ST. Helen's event from a few years back. :eek:

SergntMac
12-27-2005, 03:11 PM
Classic low coolant level. Look for leaks or a bad thermostat, coolant isn't something engines "use up". Good methods described here for filling it up when you do find the cause. Ditto...What David said. Symptoms say low coolant all along, and now an air bubble for sure. After you top things off, look for signs of a long slow leak and don't trust a clear garage floor. You could be leaking somewhere where it finds a hot surface and evaporates without leaving a trail.

twolow
12-27-2005, 03:49 PM
You could be leaking somewhere where it finds a hot surface and evaporates without leaving a trail.

That describes exactly what my Mustang was doing few years back...

...it never left a trail or puddle but it sure was eating coolant. I kept having to add more every month.

In fact, it leaked oil as well but never left a drop on the ground. A weak seal had it squirting oil out under pressure going down the road and didn't even drip once i parked.

Come to think of it, it leaked gas as well but that was some screws going through the gas tank when I was installing some speakers and amp. It did leak gas if I filled her up so I just kept her at half a tank :shake:

Blackened300a
12-27-2005, 04:00 PM
AIR POCKET!
When I had changed my Thermostat, I didnt burp the system and my test drive was rather scary when I was watching my temp gauge rise past the usual middle area. When I saw that, I limped it back to my shop thinking that I had a bad Thermostat and called Dennis.
He told me about the method to illiminate the air in the system by filling the coolant for the radiator,then opening the bleeder screw on the metal crossover pipe thats directly in front of the alternator, add coolant into til its full, put the cap back in, start the engine and slowly open the bleeder til all the air releases and only fluid flows out. Thats all you need to do.
After that, My temp stayed normal and my blood pressure came back to normal as well.

Smokie
12-27-2005, 04:04 PM
If you determine you are loosing coolant and you don't find a leak in the usual places, check your engine oil dipstick and look for a cloudy, milky look or streaks. I sincerely hope you do not find any of the above.

CRUZTAKER
12-27-2005, 05:01 PM
Mine has done this for several months now.

I have no leaks and haven't been in the cooling system in 3 years.

I am sure it's the stat. I am basically parked for the winter, so no hurry. I took a cruise on xmas eve and it did as ussual. It warmed up...up...up....got to overheat, and suddenly opened up and stayed normal.

I am used to it at this point.

It's on the spring 'dealer to do list'.

Cobra25
12-27-2005, 06:22 PM
Do what Dennis Reinhart posted above. If it doesn't work bring it to the dealer and have them pressure test the system for leaks and loss of pressure. Also note that sometimes the thermostats stick, you might want to change it to be on the safe side. You've had this problem at the west coast picnic a few months ago, your coolent levels were low and we filled your system through the cross over pipe fitting. If I were to take a guess I would agree with SegntMac, you may have a small leak that evaporates with out leaving a trail. Have the system pressure tested.

RoyLPita
12-27-2005, 07:29 PM
Since you still have an extended warranty, this will cover your problem. I do recall that you have the t-stat changed before. Was it within 1 year or 1200 miles? If so, it could qualify under the service parts warranty through any Ford/ Lincoln-Mercury dealer.

Big Boy Toy
12-27-2005, 10:08 PM
Newby question, where exactly is the t-stat located on this well engineered machine.

MarauderMarc
12-27-2005, 10:27 PM
Guys, Ill let you know the results soon. Thanx for all the advise, it will be used, trust me. I had to drive the car home (from the hospital, 20 miles away) and I had to stop 11 times to let her cool down. Yes this was bad, but I really needed to get home. Took me 2 hours. I just ordered a 180 t stat and will flush my coolant system as soon as it comes. Ill keep you posted.

MENINBLK
12-27-2005, 11:07 PM
My original Thermostat stuck after 25,000 miles.
Had it changed with fresh AF at my dealer under warranty.

Murader03
12-27-2005, 11:38 PM
You may be in for more trouble down the road. Mine stuck on my way home from work. The car overheated, knocked, etc., and I stopped several times. Finally I called and had the car delivered to FMC dealer I use. They changed the thermostat. Several months later, the car started acting like it had burnt valves, if your old enough to remember this was a common event on back in the 50's and 60's. Anyway, took the car back, they borescoped the engine, found bad valves and hot spots on the two back cylinders. Long story short, the engine was replaced under warranty.......Took about 60 days for this to pop up after the overheat.

ckadiddle
12-28-2005, 08:04 AM
I recall hearing some time ago that it was much more likely to do damage to an aluminum engine block running it too hot than an old fashioned cast-iron block. Is that true? I tend to paranoically keep an close eye on the coolant temp gauge when I drive bacause of it.

Big House
12-28-2005, 08:20 AM
Hey friend,

I just finished going through exactly what you just described. Remove the T-stat, go to Ford and get a new one and a new "O" ring. Remove the old T-Stat and O ring and drain as much old fluid as you can. Put the T-stat back in and tighten. Here is where the fun comes in. You want to re-fill the system from the little hole in the metal tube at the top. It is that little thing with the square hole in it. Fill the system from there untill you see the resivour fill up. Close the hole and start the car. YOu will hear the horrible sound of geese getting ground up but that is ok. Let the car run until it over heats....cut it off and let her cool off. Open the fill hole to let out any trapped air and fill with some more antifreeze. Repeats this step until the fill hole is full and the car no longer over heats. Once you are finished enjoy heat hotter than you can stand.

House

Dennis Reinhart
12-28-2005, 08:24 AM
The thermostat will be there tomorrow

RF Overlord
12-28-2005, 04:50 PM
Let the car run until it over heats....cut it off and let her cool off.:eek: I'm not sure I like the sound of this...remember it IS an aluminium motor...

MarauderMarc
12-29-2005, 12:03 AM
You may be in for more trouble down the road. Mine stuck on my way home from work. The car overheated, knocked, etc., and I stopped several times. Finally I called and had the car delivered to FMC dealer I use. They changed the thermostat. Several months later, the car started acting like it had burnt valves, if your old enough to remember this was a common event on back in the 50's and 60's. Anyway, took the car back, they borescoped the engine, found bad valves and hot spots on the two back cylinders. Long story short, the engine was replaced under warranty.......Took about 60 days for this to pop up after the overheat.

Okay now THIS scares me. I hope that this doesnt happen to me. Is this true about aluminum? I hope I never see the day my car goes poo poo.:(

Mike Poore
12-29-2005, 04:48 AM
I hope I never see the day my car goes poo poo.:(

No, no, ......poo poo is the stuff you're gonna be seeing in a day or two. Little Peyton William will be producing it; there will be lots of it, it will be yellow, and it will smell bad, um, er, well .........like poo poo. :D

Big House
12-29-2005, 11:10 AM
Please allow me to clarify, don't let your car overheat to the point it spews fluid, but let it run and watch the needle. Watch it until it passes the 20mph mark. At this point, cut it off and allow it to cool. Open the fill plug slowly and listen for air. Repeat this and you should be good. Also have your heat running when you do this. As the engine begins to circulate hot fluid you will feel the heat slowly return to your heater.

MarauderMarc
12-29-2005, 09:39 PM
Okay, so Im going to attempt to change the stat myself tomarrow..:( ..so first things first (dont laugh or Ill personally mail a dirty diper containing a mustard bomb to you!) wheres the thermostat located? Just wondering because its different on each vehicle. Thanx!

Mike Poore
12-30-2005, 04:41 AM
Okay, so Im going to attempt to change the stat myself tomarrow..:( ..so first things first (dont laugh or Ill personally mail a dirty diper containing a mustard bomb to you!) !


Who ......me? :laugh:

Um, how's the little tyke & mom doing? :)

RoyLPita
12-30-2005, 04:51 AM
Okay, so Im going to attempt to change the stat myself tomarrow..:( ..so first things first (dont laugh or Ill personally mail a dirty diper containing a mustard bomb to you!) wheres the thermostat located? Just wondering because its different on each vehicle. Thanx!

You will find the stat towards the left front of the engine. It is actually in an aluminum housing that is hooked by 2 to 3 coolant hoses. It will be easier to access this from underneath the car. Have fun.

rayjay
12-30-2005, 07:15 AM
As long as this is being discussed, where is the proper place to refill the system? On a Focus/Contour you refill by bypassing the stat with a small hose that fills the engine/system backwards. No air pockets are created. When coolant comes out of the water pump you're done. Its kind of a pain, but it works. This info came direct from the Ford manual. Is the procedure for the 4.6 similiar?

captJ696
12-30-2005, 11:07 AM
Well, as of last night my car started to overheat, blow cold air when the heater is turned on and it even started to knock when it overheated. Sometimes my temp guage will stay below cold and wont even register for like 15 minutes of driving. Then when it does, it skyrockets and still blows cold air.

Same problem here also. Marauder goes in last month for faulty wipers so during my visit I have my coolant system flushed however before this procedure, I never experienced overheating or cold blowing air issues. My marauder is under warranty so off it goes :burn:

MarauderMarc
12-30-2005, 06:46 PM
Okay, got the 180 stat, installed it and followed your guys' instructions and all went well. My car is no longer overheating and my heater blows....nice and hot...(oooh baby). Thank you Dennis for another great product shipped lightning fast and your advice, and thanx to all of you for your input. Wouldnt have been able to do it without you guys.

shakes_26
12-30-2005, 07:50 PM
Glad to hear it, last thign you need with a new baby and momma coming home