Stange Overheat Problem..... MICE???

[MMinMN]

The Marauder has been hibernating in the garage this winter. Yesterday I backed it out of the garage and let it idle in the driveway for a good minutes just to get the battery charged and to get fluids moving. After about 20minutes I came out to it to hear the cooling fan roaring and to see antifreeze dripping from under the car. I instantly knew it was running hot so went to shut it off and the temp gauge was almost to the red "H" of death. I shut it down and peeked under the hood. Coolant was coming out of closed overflow reservoir from under the cap. Probably due to pressure. Everything else looked normal. Only strange thing was the odor of cooked mouse nest. I looked all over for it but couldn't find anything but one turd and bit of chewed up poison. Only place I can think of that it is is under the intake I the engine valley. Still don't see how this would cause it to overheat idling. The coolant was not low either. Think it maybe has air in the system somewhere keeping it from circulating?

[MOTOWN]

i would start with replacing the thermostat (may be sticking), from there check the water pump, and also my problem turned out to be a bad heater core, which is easy to check if the inlet is hot, and the outlet isnt theres your problem! also try burping your cooling system

hope this gets you going in the right direction

[Rockettman]

If, as you say, the car was sitting - I "2nd" the thermostat suggestion. That'd be the first step. May have just stuck in the closed position.

[Egon Spengler]

If you have a stock intake tube and filter box, check the filter box. My mom had an explorer that was overheating and I checked the filter box and it was packed SOLID with everything the mice could find! I cleaned that out and it ran much better. Also did a thermostat just for added peace of mind

[CBT]

If you have a stock intake tube and filter box, check the filter box. My mom had an explorer that was overheating and I checked the filter box and it was packed SOLID with everything the mice could find! I cleaned that out and it ran much better. Also did a thermostat just for added peace of mind
Whoa, that's crazy.

[musclemerc]

The burning mouse nest is under the lower intake. Make sure you put a new gasket on the crossover tube fill cap

[MMinMN]

Thermostat fixed it. Seems fine now. Thanks for the help guys!

oh, air box was mouse free. Have not looked under the intake yet.

[MMinMN]

Well, I guess it's not fixed. Put it back in the garage after last fix. Drove it maybe 5 miles and she was overheating again. When you feel the lower radiator hose it's cold when the ones on the upper side of the thermostat are overheating hot!

[musclemerc]

What stat did you use? Did you properly burp the system?

[MMinMN]

I got a stat from oreilly. Can't remember what part number but I am going to assume it's wrong and start all over with the correct stat THM234 and burp it for a full hour to make sure NO AIR is remaining.

[pantheroc]

Same issue with running hot in driveway. Found air in crossover. Not sure of burping process, will search it.

Found a nice mouse nest in my glove box. Bastig made it out of all kleenex I had in a box. Little F'r. Chewed through headset wires, LUCKILY, no chewing of wires at CPU.

[Dragcity]

Two words for you guys with your mice issues....

- Irish Spring -

[Michael]

Probably not the issue, but I would pull the top plastic cover off that hides the radiator, condenser, and powersteering and trany cooler and look in between for junk. I have worked on several cop cars that just get totally plugged up with cotton,leaves,twiggs and stuff that you can't figure out how it got in there.

The fan also has two settings high and low so make sure that both are working by listening. It is pulse width but you should hear it increase in speed when it gets hot.

Bleed the system real good and use the proper thermostate, the cheep ones don't close off the bypass correctly.

[CRUZTAKER]

Make a note...when you store your car for the winter, among other very important preparations, jam a rag in both exhaust outlets.

Trust me, it works.;)