I recently had a new rad & T/stat installed in my 93 Explorer, however when I take it up the mountain roads, the temperature goes way way up. This only seems to happen when I am travelling uphill. I took it back to the shop this morning and asked them to check the t/stat, the head gasket and for any leaks. They called back saying they could not find anything wrong. I told them to put in a new t/stat anyway, but does anyone know what else may be causing this problem??

My A/C unit packed it in too, but after the cost of the new rad, I didn't have the money to convert the a/c to the new R134 and I am curious if maybe the a/c oil is blocked up and somehow screwing up air flow to the radiator?

Anyone got any ideas ???? I am using a brand new shop that I have never used before, am a female and not too well versed with mechanics and running out of cash....

Have/did they check the function of the fan clutch? If it isn't working properly it will not pull enough air through the radiator to cool the engine. This will usually only show up when the engine is working hard (pulling a hill). The easiest way to check it is (with the engine warm and NOT running) stick your hand in the fan shroud and give the fan a spin (watch your fingers). If the fan spins freely (more than 1-2 revolutions) the clutch is bad and needs replaced.

thanks for your reply Mike, I just tried your suggestion. The fan did not spin freely, it did not make 1 or 2 revolutions, so I guess that's not the problem. Any other ideas ???? Could the catalytic convertor or exhaust system cause this ?? or maybe the fuel injectors? Thanks

thanks for the welcome, this is a great site I stumbled across. I just bought my 93 Explorer XLE about 2 months ago and have certainly been enjoying it, well until lately. UGH

Got my Explorer back from the shop yesterday and they put a cooler t/stat in and did a tune up as well. Only problem is it still does not seem to be running too good.
I would only assume that a shop would "burp" the air out, wouldn't they? Then again, I don't believe they put it on a scope this second time around. I think perhaps this shop is jacking me around. I've spent $665. for new rad, $215.00 for the tune up and it still runs hot when the engine has to work harder up hills. I am beginning to wonder if maybe I didn't even need the rad in the first place and if is something totally different. All I wanna do is get up to the top of the mountain roads where the fishing is great and the worries of the real world are down far beneath me. ha ha.

Any more suggestions or ideas? I already checked out the site concerning rads, etc. and am running out of ideas and money.

I have been having this same problem, I being a small-time mechanic am stumped too, I have a new radiator (last one cracked, damn plastic) and new fan clutch, and am running a 180 degree thermostat (just put it in) and still run HOT!

I have heard everything from its the way you drive, (I guess I could go 50 but the speed limit is 75) to its those damn big tires (had them on alomst a year and a half without problems) so if anyone has any more suggestions for us two poor hot people, we would love some help!

MattAdams did you ever figure yours out, I remember at Truckfest you said yours was running hot!!

I have the same problem with running hot only uphill.
Would love to find out what the solution is.
I was thinking of putting the front wheels up on stands and burping the cooling system that way???

My '91 Sport has somewhat the same problems with the cooling system. It will warm up to to about the "n" in "normal" on the temp gauge and stay there for awhile, but then sometimes the needle will go almost all the way to the right and stay there for a few seconds and then go right back down to the "n". I just put a new water pump in(the other one died), put in a new 190* t-stat about 6 months ago, and did a complete radiator flush when the pump was put in. Anyone know what could be causing this? Could the t-stat be sticking or not working properly? It started doing this about a year or so ago and I cannot figure out what is causing it. Thanks.

Did you have your heat sensor checked, it may be faulty if you are not blowing out the coolant ?

Whooops just got this thread.
Marshall, actually I wouldn't say I resolved it... certainly nothing other then what you have done. All I did was flush the radiator and put in new coolant/antifreeze, and while it didn't solve it, it did better. before I was getting up around the L in NORMAL, now when going up in the mountains it stays at most M, sometimes low A.

I have solved my problem I changed to a super cooling fan clutch that is about twice the size of the one I had, the previous came from Napa and the new one came from Ford, it was higher but it did the trick I ran all the way to Silverthorne and back and we all know where while I was there with no problems at all!

How much did the Ford super clutch cost???

Im confused, I know when new small cars get to a certain temp an electric fan turns on that you can noticeable hear. So when your explorer gets to hot it spins the blade faster? Is their a way you can always keep the clutch on? why can't you hear it when idling?

Hey Nick K,

I am not sure about the newer Xs, but on the earlier models the fan has a clutch connecting it to the engine. There is a fluid in the clutch that expands as it heats up (in theory, as the engine heats up). This expanded fluid acts to bring the free-wheeling fan up to speed with fan pulley, as the engine is running.

To have your fan running constantly will add drag to your engine and can be done by removing the clutch assembly and installing a direct drive to a flex-type fan. This will also cause your gas mileage to drop (in essence, less power and a bigger gas bill).

The sound you hear with the fans on the small cars is the electric motor, which the earlier Xs do not have (hence, no whining noise). Some electric fans do not turn off when the car is turned off. They run until the water temp drops below a certain amount. This is so the aluminum (or plastic) block, heads, etc... do not prematurely warp.

Hope this clears some of the confusion.

thanks it helped a lot

Originally posted by jemail
How much did the Ford super clutch cost???

I could tell you but then I would have to kill you!
I am not sure about normal cost a good freind of mine runs the local Frod parts, so I told him I needed one he got it and I gave him some cash, well lets just say it was less than the cheapo from Napa!