Temperature Gauge: what's wrong

[merkathomas]

Is it normal for the temp hand to be pointing at the 25mph line if I'm driving bout 75-85 mph on the interstate...I bought a new thermostat, I flushed the air bubbles out, an bought a new thermostat sensor an nothing changed...do I need to buy a new water pump?

[FordNut]

What makes you think there is a problem? Does it overheat?

[Blk Mamba]

Mine points at 21, always, never a problem, if this temp has changed recently, maybe a concern, but with out looking, I'd say you are a new owner, keep watching.

[merkathomas]

It has overheated before but that before I bought all the stuff...it ain't overheated since but pointing at the 25 is not what I wanna see on the interstate....it just started going that high like a month ago....I'm scared to go anywhere

[justbob]

Considering that this is a highway thing, the first thing that i'd look at is the radiator. Atleast start off by checking for excessive debris stuck in the fins, it might be time for a a good cleaning using a garden hose and blowing it from engine side to bumper.

[merkathomas]

U know wat I have never sprayed my radiator...I got my marauder last March it had 52000 miles now it has 83000...most of them was highway miles....if I spray it an it still does it then wat?

[Shora]

Once I had a beater that would over heat when on the highway.

Turned out to be the radiator. I took it out and it was not flowing well. It was full of rust from the previous owner filling it with regular water.

I changed it and the problem was solved.

[merkathomas]

Would it best to take the radiator out an clean it?

[Blk Mamba]

I'd hate to spend your money, but if it is rad. related, I think I would send it to be professionally cleaned inside.

[merkathomas]

How much would that cost an how much is a new one?

[LeoVampire]

How much would that cost an how much is a new one?

Maybe $50.00 to 75.00 max to have one boiled and checked for leaks and flow rate.

[merkathomas]

After its boiled an they tell me whats wrong how much should they charge me to fix it

[fastblackmerc]

After its boiled an they tell me whats wrong how much should they charge me to fix it

It all depends on the shop you take it to, their labor rates, etc. For us to give you a price would be a WAG (Wild A$$ Guess) at best. Try this..... use your phone and call some places near you that specialize in the type of work you need done.

[LeoVampire]

If it is okay you have piece of mind putting it back in the car and should be good to go for years if you change out the coolant every 30,000 miles I would say.

If there is a problem go with a preformance one instead better to upgrade than fix the OEM one.

Chances are if it is cloged boiling it out will take care of the issue and will be free flowing again.

Again without looking at the car in person most of the answers your getting are just sugestions.

There is always a chance that the fin's on the water pump are being worn away due to cavatation which damages them over time.

Best example I can give you is ships and subs have to change out the props on them every so often due to water and air cavatation they have to cut through all of the time and tends to wear the blade's down so they lose the abiltiy to move the ship or boat as well as they use to.

The same thing happens with water pumps on an engine over time.

Take a picture of your dash guage reading and post it at it's highest so someone can say yes or no this is normal or not.

[merkathomas]

I don't know how to post pics I don't have a computer I use my T-Mobile My Touch3g powered by google....but when I say its pointing at the 25 I mean like if it was the gas hand I would be on 3/4 full....but the slower I ride the lower it goes....wats the difference in a regular radiator an a performance one