'92 4.0 Overheating!

[MidnightToker]

Hello, I am a recent member of this site, and I also just purchased myself a 1992 Expolorer Sport. I bought it just before I was due to move to the oven state of Arizona. About 10 minutes down the highway I realized the heat gauge was rising dramatically and quickly. As soon as I arrived in AZ, I went to Checkers and purchased a new water pump, thermostat, coolant w/ flush, and did the swap in the driveway. After that, there was still this problem. What could cause this? Has anyone ran into this? I can't go about it much longer because it needs to be reliable. I can drive it for about 20 minutes before it is really hot. When I am on the highway, it runs forever but still hotter than usual. But as soon as I get in slow and standstill traffic, I have to shut it down. I am not losing coolant either, and my fan seems to blow good at idle.The next thing I was considering doing was taking it in and haveing the coolant passageways flushed, but I wanted to know if there was anything else I can do that may fix the problem. Any info would be greatly appreciated. Thanks.

 

[Chew_12]

Welcome to the site and Arizona! There is a lot you can do. You can check the fan clutch. Once you turn off your car, see if you fan is still spinning, if it is you need a new clutch. You could try bleeding coolant, and changing hoses. Do you have any lose of coolant? And Ill point you to a very important feature on this site, the search button, its on the tool bar on the top of this website. Try searching for this problem it has been said many times.

 

[goliath]

Needs a new radiator and thermostat. Get the supercooling one from ford. its worth it. it took me 2 regular radiators before i realized that. If it still heats up change the cooling fan. mine was working too, but running really slow. they slow down with age. Explorers run hot anyways and run hotter the older they get. you need to get things perfect for the arizona heat. it gets hot down there!! good luck!

 

[MidnightToker]

Is it possible that the coolant passage ways may be clogged or built up with grime? Or is the new radiator the best idea for the moment. And also, how much does this supercool radiator cast? Thanks...

 

[old mechanic]

I would check and replace if needed:
1 The radiator hoses because they could squezze closed while driving and stop the flow and all other hoses while your at it.
2- Check the fan clutch.
3- Check the radiator flow.
4- Very rare passage ways are cloged.
5- Check to see how much exaust is comming out of your tail pipe. I have seen many a catalic convert clogged and this will cause overheating. Altho EX Cats are supposed to last 100,000 miles.
6- I have heard of some guys having trouble with NEW EX thermostats.
7- Check the fan belt. It could be slipping.