Dang Explorer, Help Please

bwingler · February 23, 2007

Hi all, after getting burned on this explorer i have to fix it. Can't afford another vehcile. Here is my next series of unfortunate events. I just got done replacing the radiator, water pump, new not rebuilt, fan clutch, upper hose, thermostat, coolant and tempature sending unit. The tempature gauge still goes to the high side of normal then drops down to cold. All the time as it is running. The heat does get hotter coming out of the vents when it raise's and gets cooler when the tempature falls. The garage i took it to said the head gaskets are not blown. My upper hose even collapsed, sucked its self together. Then it filled back out. I watched it do it. Took forever for the tstat to open. Had pressure on the heater hose's and none on the upper radiator hose until the tstat opened. The reason all this was replaced is because the garage said that was my problem, well it did not fix it. Any Ideas?

Thanks All

1IronMike · February 24, 2007

Double check the thermostat and make sure it is the right one and in correctly.

cgriffin_5139 · February 24, 2007

ditto the pointy side should be facing the forward

Mud Bug 94 · February 24, 2007

not enough coolant? sounds stupid dont it...

bwingler · February 24, 2007

It is the right one, 195 degree. It is installed right. I dont think it would fit in backwards. Also forgot to mention the radiator cap is new as well. Any other ideas? Is it possibly that the new tstat is no good?

cgriffin_5139 · February 24, 2007

Well to check if its opening, put it in boiling water so you can see if it is opening.

Halfnuts · February 24, 2007

195 degree is a little warm, no? I've always used 165 degree, but that may be a result of being several degrees latitude south of you. If you can, find a T-stat that opens at a lower temp and see what changes.

DeRocha · February 24, 2007

bwingler said:
It is the right one, 195 degree. It is installed right. I dont think it would fit in backwards. Also forgot to mention the radiator cap is new as well. Any other ideas? Is it possibly that the new tstat is no good?

Is the T-Stat burp/weep hole facing UP? As the others have mentioned if you place it in boiling water you will see the spring contract and the passage way open..

Explorer93RDB · February 24, 2007

I say check the Thermostat also. I sounds like to me the new radiator and water pump are doing a great Job. (The gage goes to Cold) most radiator hoses have a spring inside to keep them from sucking shut. Low coolant would cause the Temp to rise because there would not be enough to circulate.. I don't know what the chances are of having the Wrong water pump. if it was for a v-belt drive then the pump could be running backwards. this would cause the hose to suck shut when the thermostat was shut. One more thing don't curse your Explorer.. We could require you to drive a Chevy for a month if you keep doing this..

bwingler · February 24, 2007

Thanks all for the help. The water pump is correct, It does not use v-belts. Went to napa this morning and picked up another tstat. This is a 180 degree. I know it is not low coolant. Took 2.5 gallons to fill it up after the change out. I am using the 50/50 premix. I will post the results of the 180 tstat. I found a kink in the overflow hose and was told that can cause the upper hose to collapse. And to Explorer93RDB I would rather walk then drive a chevy. lol

bwingler · February 24, 2007

OK, Thanks to all for your help. I replaced the thermostat and all my troubles went away. Now to move on to other issues like ra bushings and a wheel hum.

mikeinri · February 25, 2007

Glad your problem is solved. Yes, I have heard of new t-stats being bad out of the box. I run a 195, never had an issue (in balmy New England).

Hey DeRocha, please explain the burp/weep concept to me, never heard of it before. What's the correct orientation, and why?

While we're talking about t-stats on the 4.0 OHV, anyone have a good trick to getting to the bottom bolt on the t-stat housing? I just did one recently and happened to have a lot of stuff apart, even then access was a pain in the cajones...

Mike

bwingler · February 25, 2007

I can answer the weep/burp hole. It has to be installed in the 12 o'clock position. It allows any trapped air to escape plus it allows a small stream of coolant to flow from the heater core during warm up. Hope that helps. I use a 1/4" drive with an extension and a 10mm socket. I place a small piece of tape over the bolt and it sticks well enough to the socket to hold the bolt in place. I don't take my belt or anything off to replace tstat. Takes about 15 min to change.

DeRocha · February 25, 2007

bwingler said:
I can answer the weep/burp hole. It has to be installed in the 12 o'clock position. It allows any trapped air to escape plus it allows a small stream of coolant to flow from the heater core during warm up. Hope that helps.

Correct

mikeinri · February 25, 2007

Thanks guys. I'll have to take it apart and look at it.

Is there anything that's likely to go wrong with the weep hole in the wrong position?

Mike

bwingler · February 25, 2007

It can cause an air bubble or air lock in the block and cause hot spots. Also make sure the pointed end is facing you. There is a one way valve in the weep hole to prevent back flow. Make sure its there. And tape the bolt to the socket makes installing them a breeze.

mikeinri · February 26, 2007

Thanks for the quick reply.

I have the pointy end facing the right way, just didn't know about the weep hole. The tape thing is a lifesaver too.

I noticed that these t-stats don't have gaskets, just an o-ring. I put red RTV on there anyway, do you guys advise for/against this practice (and of course, why)?

Mike

Explorer93RDB · February 26, 2007

If you use a new O-Ring you will not need to add any other sealers..and it is properly tightened

Rase · March 14, 2007

good info! Gonna be changing out mine this weekend

Explorer93RDB · March 14, 2007

Rase said:
good info! Gonna be changing out mine this weekend

Yes I have to change out mine also. it barely comes off cold here in Florida.. Glad to hear the good removal tricks.. looked at mine and freaked......Thanks.

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