teletekman
Active Member
- Joined
- July 16, 2012
- Messages
- 72
- Reaction score
- 1
- City, State
- Madera, CA
- Year, Model & Trim Level
- 1992 Ford Explorer XLT
So lately I have noticed an erratic temperature gauge on my 92 XLT. Once warmed up it will toggle between N and R. This happens about every 5 minutes or so and the swing last about 20 seconds. I have read a bunch of other posts that others have had similar issues with and have replaced the following with mixed results. This is what I have done so far...
Repalced Thermostat with Motorcrat RT-1161 (190F & weep hole at 12
o-clock position. - No Change
Replaced with a Napa Therostat - No Change
Replaced the Temp Sending Unit - No Change
Replaced ECT - No Change
I have also flushed the cooling system twice with no change. Each time I have burped the system using the Lisle Super-Funnel method, both having the Explorer flat and with the nose raised up pretty high. While there was a bit of air being released, after 30 minutes of letting it idle and the thermostat opening and closing this also made no change.
However I did notice something I didn't realize before. With the funnel on and burping the system, the temperature of the ECT according to my scanner in live data mode showed it ranging between 193 & 196F. At this time the gauge was steady between the N & O. I thought it was fixed till I capped the radiator and eventually the temperature started ramping pretty high and then back down. Range is anywhere from 186 to 215F. This is all observed at the gauge so at least my scanner and instrument cluster seem to by in sync.
At this point I am running short of options here. The cabin heat seems to cool off as well with the temp fluctuating. I also ran a combustion test to make sure no exhaust gasses were flowing into the radiator showing signs of a blown head gasket and that passed. It's not losing coolant not is any present out the exhaust.
Can anyone help shed any more light on this? Does this still sound like air is trapped in the system? I let it idle uncapped for thirty minutes so I would assume it would have been plenty of time for it to burp the system.
Sorry for the long post but wanted to make sure I had all my basics covered. I have not tried a new water pump since my flow seemed ok. Nor have I tried the bypass kit mehtod mentioned here but wanted to get a few updated opinions before I went that route.
Thanks,
Sean
Repalced Thermostat with Motorcrat RT-1161 (190F & weep hole at 12
o-clock position. - No Change
Replaced with a Napa Therostat - No Change
Replaced the Temp Sending Unit - No Change
Replaced ECT - No Change
I have also flushed the cooling system twice with no change. Each time I have burped the system using the Lisle Super-Funnel method, both having the Explorer flat and with the nose raised up pretty high. While there was a bit of air being released, after 30 minutes of letting it idle and the thermostat opening and closing this also made no change.
However I did notice something I didn't realize before. With the funnel on and burping the system, the temperature of the ECT according to my scanner in live data mode showed it ranging between 193 & 196F. At this time the gauge was steady between the N & O. I thought it was fixed till I capped the radiator and eventually the temperature started ramping pretty high and then back down. Range is anywhere from 186 to 215F. This is all observed at the gauge so at least my scanner and instrument cluster seem to by in sync.
At this point I am running short of options here. The cabin heat seems to cool off as well with the temp fluctuating. I also ran a combustion test to make sure no exhaust gasses were flowing into the radiator showing signs of a blown head gasket and that passed. It's not losing coolant not is any present out the exhaust.
Can anyone help shed any more light on this? Does this still sound like air is trapped in the system? I let it idle uncapped for thirty minutes so I would assume it would have been plenty of time for it to burp the system.
Sorry for the long post but wanted to make sure I had all my basics covered. I have not tried a new water pump since my flow seemed ok. Nor have I tried the bypass kit mehtod mentioned here but wanted to get a few updated opinions before I went that route.
Thanks,
Sean