View Full Version : New Engine, More Overheating Problems
OK, so I have my new engine in. Mind you, I baby a new engine like we used to do in the old days during a break in period. I had about 300 miles on the engine this morning, and I drove about 90 miles away on business. Stayed between 50 and 60 on the road (made some other drivers mad). Everything seemed fine. On the return trip later this morning (now about 400 miles on the engine), still driving carefully, the temp gauge starts climbing over its normal spot. Not extremely high, but higher than normal. This car has always kept its temp gauge in the exact same spot when up to operating temp, so I know when there is any variation.
Watched the gauge carefully so it didn't get up to a scary temp, drove it in to the dealer that put the new engine in. They said it sounds like I got a bad new thermostat when they put the new engine in, so they put in a new one at no cost. Test drove it, and it still got a little too hot.
Now they are saying that the radiator may be partially clogged so I need to go back tomorrow to have them pull the radiator and send it out for inspection and cleaning.
I know that someone will suggest "burping" the system and making sure that there are no air bubbles in it. If that was the case, I think it would have showed up in the first 300 miles, right?
Anybody want to buy a MM?
RF Overlord
03-19-2007, 02:49 PM
Damn, Ross...if it wasn't for bad luck, you'd have none at all! :eek:
Sorry, I couldn't resist...
It does indeed sound like air in the system, and I suppose it's possible that it didn't show up right away. You can certainly TRY the burping procedure, but in your case it's probably best to let the dealer who did your engine swap take care of all of it, just so you're covered.
As far as selling your car, I don't blame you for being discouraged. If I'd had as much trouble with one car as you've had, I'd never buy that brand again.
Bigdogjim
03-19-2007, 02:51 PM
Stay with it. These thing pop up after an engine is installed. As long they work with you it's all good.
Power Surge
03-19-2007, 02:56 PM
If you don't backfill and bleed a 4 valve motor properly, the problem will not go away. It's not like a regular motor where it has to burb when the thermostat opens. You have to do it right on a 4 valve from the start.
If you don't backfill and bleed a 4 valve motor properly, the problem will not go away. It's not like a regular motor where it has to burb when the thermostat opens. You have to do it right on a 4 valve from the start.
That's why I was thinking that it wasn't an air problem, or else it would have shown up before now.
FordNut
03-19-2007, 04:00 PM
Not necessarily. If air is trapped in the heater core, hoses, or recessed areas in the castings (water jackets) it will eventually work its way to the high point in the cooling system, which is the coolant crossover tube. That's where all the air has to be let out, not at the radiator cap/reservoir.
vegasloner
03-19-2007, 04:17 PM
Ross, I have had several problems with my MM, for about a year now, had it in and out of the dealership 4 different time, replaced the T-Stat and had it burped three times after. Well, I just had it in last week for the fifth time, Water pump going out, not only was the temp gauge climbing, the pump whinning, but I could also smell anitfreeze , yet no trace of it anywhere. I searched for some high flow Mechanical pumps and all, no luck, ended up putting new Mercury stock back in. put 200 miles on the car this wkend, temp gauge holding right where it is supposed to. can't explain it, I know there is a weeping hole on the waterpump, can that let air in it??
jgc61sr2002
03-19-2007, 06:50 PM
Ross, I have had several problems with my MM, for about a year now, had it in and out of the dealership 4 different time, replaced the T-Stat and had it burped three times after. Well, I just had it in last week for the fifth time, Water pump going out, not only was the temp gauge climbing, the pump whinning, but I could also smell anitfreeze , yet no trace of it anywhere. I searched for some high flow Mechanical pumps and all, no luck, ended up putting new Mercury stock back in. put 200 miles on the car this wkend, temp gauge holding right where it is supposed to. can't explain it, I know there is a weeping hole on the waterpump, can that let air in it??
The weep hole should not let air in the system.
It lets you know when the pump needs to be replaced.
ckadiddle
03-19-2007, 09:11 PM
I just had mine in for what I thought was acting like a sticky thermostat. Temp would jump up then drop back down to normal within a minute. Turned out to be the radiator cooling fan.
magindat
03-20-2007, 06:10 AM
I just had mine in for what I thought was acting like a sticky thermostat. Temp would jump up then drop back down to normal within a minute. Turned out to be the radiator cooling fan.
I was thinking just that. The PWM module or the fan motor might be shot or some connection/wiring to them. Could have been the causes all along?!
O's Fan Rich
03-20-2007, 06:38 AM
I know that with the Subaru, I learned that to fill the engine I backed it down a hill (side of the garage) and filled it with the front end facing up and the air bleed tube open. Worked like a charm. After installing Trilogy #132, I let the front end in the air and the back end down to refill. No problems.
Well, I decided to try the burping thing just to be safe. It did appear to have some air in the system, so I backfilled it. I'll try a drive on the freeway this afternoon when the temperature is hotter, run it with the AC on full blast, and see if it overheats.
MMinMN
03-20-2007, 10:41 AM
I think the Fan should turn on whenever the AC pump is engaged. Try that if your fan is not turning next time it gets hot.
One more thing. Take a hose and spray all the dirt out of the radiator fins. you may need to unbolt the top brackets to tilt it and get a hose in there. Dirt built up in the fins prevents air to pass and will cause it to run a little to a lot hotter then normal. I had this problem on a 98 Vic.
RCSignals
03-20-2007, 10:41 AM
I hope that solves it all for you Ross
Well, I went out this afternoon (temp about 80 outside) and ran the car on the highway for about 20 miles with the AC going. Never got above the normal position on the temp gauge. Maybe all it needed was to be burped? Hope that solved it.
RCSignals
03-20-2007, 02:32 PM
Looking good!
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