pet575
Well-Known Member
- Joined
- June 11, 2008
- Messages
- 529
- Reaction score
- 2
- City, State
- Kansas City, MO
- Year, Model & Trim Level
- 2004 Limited
Had some problems for the past couple of weeks with an overheat. My temp gauge was seeming to randomly shoot up toward hot but then it would cool itself back down. Checked the coolant level when cold and it was a bit low. I added a little less than a gallon of coolant and hadn't had the problem since.
Changed the thermostat last night and found this:
You can see corrosion/leakage under the thermostat housing, which explains the previous coolant loss. Trying to be proactive, I got a new thermostat and changed it last night. When I pulled off the top cap to change the thermostat I saw no evidence of leaking. It looks like it is coming from the underside of this housing, but I didn't want to tear into all of it without knowing what I was getting into.
What is the u-shaped aluminum housing that runs behind the alternator and over toward the coolant bottle? It appears that all of this is the same piece with leaking thermostat housing. Anyone had this apart before to where they can help out?
Bigger problem right now is that, since last night, I'm getting an overheat condition when driving. Test drive last night with heat on full blast went perfectly fine. Drove about 30 miles this morning with no problem. On the return trip home at about the 20 mile mark I got the temp gauge to H, warning lights, and engine went into "reduced power mode" and "service engine soon" light is on now. I pulled over to cool the engine off and then got it home.
When I parked it in the garage I was back to overheat status. Popped the hood and had a high pitched squeal and the coolant bottle was filled to the top-it was trying to boil over.
I bought a water pump but am waiting for the vehicle to cool down before I tear into it. Something tells me a new water pump isn't going to fix it but I'm changing it anyway since I'm at 200K miles on the OEM water pump. This seems more like a thermostat issue or blocked cooling system issue.
I saw NO debris in the thermostat housing last night when changing the thermostat. I'm 100% confident I properly installed the thermostat (good test drive last night and good 30 miles this morning confirms that). Anyone else agree that this seems more like a thermostat? Even though it is a new thermostat I guess it could be bad. Considering putting the old one back in and seeing if it stays cool. Guess that would answer that question.
Can't imagine this is a fan clutch. I suppose it could be a water pump if it has completely failed and is not pumping any water. No leakage at all in water pump area though.
Thoughts? Wisdom? Assistance?
Thanks!
Changed the thermostat last night and found this:
You can see corrosion/leakage under the thermostat housing, which explains the previous coolant loss. Trying to be proactive, I got a new thermostat and changed it last night. When I pulled off the top cap to change the thermostat I saw no evidence of leaking. It looks like it is coming from the underside of this housing, but I didn't want to tear into all of it without knowing what I was getting into.
What is the u-shaped aluminum housing that runs behind the alternator and over toward the coolant bottle? It appears that all of this is the same piece with leaking thermostat housing. Anyone had this apart before to where they can help out?
Bigger problem right now is that, since last night, I'm getting an overheat condition when driving. Test drive last night with heat on full blast went perfectly fine. Drove about 30 miles this morning with no problem. On the return trip home at about the 20 mile mark I got the temp gauge to H, warning lights, and engine went into "reduced power mode" and "service engine soon" light is on now. I pulled over to cool the engine off and then got it home.
When I parked it in the garage I was back to overheat status. Popped the hood and had a high pitched squeal and the coolant bottle was filled to the top-it was trying to boil over.
I bought a water pump but am waiting for the vehicle to cool down before I tear into it. Something tells me a new water pump isn't going to fix it but I'm changing it anyway since I'm at 200K miles on the OEM water pump. This seems more like a thermostat issue or blocked cooling system issue.
I saw NO debris in the thermostat housing last night when changing the thermostat. I'm 100% confident I properly installed the thermostat (good test drive last night and good 30 miles this morning confirms that). Anyone else agree that this seems more like a thermostat? Even though it is a new thermostat I guess it could be bad. Considering putting the old one back in and seeing if it stays cool. Guess that would answer that question.
Can't imagine this is a fan clutch. I suppose it could be a water pump if it has completely failed and is not pumping any water. No leakage at all in water pump area though.
Thoughts? Wisdom? Assistance?
Thanks!