94 Explorer Running Cool ALL the time

[skittles]

OK... i know this shouldn't be something i should complain about... but... we had problems with the 88 Ranger running cool all the time... wasn't good for the engine... turned out the thermostat was stuck open and something (i don't remember) happened because of it...

Is it bad for the 94 Explorer to be running cool ALL the time... it has somesort of extra cooling system on it... how do you check the thermostat?? we picked it up yesterday from the mechanic (lubed and replaced an auto hub) and went home (6 miles 10 minutes running highway) turned off for 10 minutes... went to wal-mart (12 miles 20 minutes running highway)... off for about 30 minutes... home stop at drive thru (about 15 miles 30 minutes highway) off for 20 minutes... kmart (10 miles 15 minutes highway) off again 30 minutes drive to mechanics to pick up the other car that i drove there to get explorer (4 miles street) and then home (6 miles total time on 35 minutes street and highway)... when we got home... i looked at the temp and it never went pass the C in the temp... it does move a little but not much....

ahhhh... well i meant for this to be short... anyone have and thoughts, concerns, suggestions?? OH... getting some new shocks this weekend... i think we are going with the bilsteins... have to find some where here that has them in stock first... also going to get the rotors turned... and then of course the wheel alignment... should be 100% and running great the end of this month!!!!

YIPPEEE!!!!

*smiles*
lovin' my explorer...
skittles

oh and getting a detail next week too!!!


------------------
I'm just a girlie girl who *smiles* and *giggles* alot... *smiles*

 

[Keith]

The thermostat is very fun to check. First (just thought of this) Do you get heat when you turn on your heat. If so then something is wrong with the gauge. But if your going to change you thermostat you will end up haveing to drain your coolant and remove every thing that is blocking the thermostat. It isn't really hard just takes some time. Get a Chilton or Haynes book and you should be able to do it.

 

[Pete]

Go ahead and change the thermostat. Mine did the same thing you are describing (I had heat from the heater, by the way, although it was lame) and after changing the thermostat the needle now stays in the exact middle of the gauge. It's a $2.50 part and the life of your engine depends on it. If it sticks closed your engine will overheat and the Explorer 4.0 V6 is VERY intolerant of overheating, i.e. get-a-new-engine-time if it overheats. Yes you have to change the coolant but you should do that anyway since it's almost summer. After reading all the horror stories about Explorers overheating, I am making it a habit to change the thermostat and coolant every year. It is cheap insurance.

 

[Mic_]

So did the thermostst fix it?

 

[monkeydude3]

It sounds like your thermostat is stuck open and not letting the engine warm up. Replacing it will most likely fix your problem. Also, after you fill the coolant in the radiator, when you first start it and it's still cold, leave the radiator cap off and let some air bleed out and top it off as it needs it for a few minutes.

I know some may not like to hear this, but I would recommend going to a Ford dealer for the thermostat. It cost me about $20, which was a kick in the stones but it works perfectly. I bought one from autozone for $8 and one from part's city for $7 and they both ran the damn thing super cold, and the guys told me it was oem. (my butt) So judging by the numbers I would have been even getting the Ford one first. Just a suggestion. Motorcraft or from Ford dealer would be good.

George

 

[dreamr]

Hmm this thread was started in May of 1999 I highly doubt your advice will be heard by the original poster.

However you get an A for effort

 

[monkeydude3]

hahaha my bad, I usually check these at 1 am

 

[ThirteenthCurve]

helped me haha.

 

[monkeydude3]

hey as long as I helped someone. My e mail inbox is always open for anyone with questions... monkeydude3@cs.com

I'm an aspiring auto technician and I have 1 3/4 years of full hands on automotive schooling. Not to mention countless self guided projects.
Oh yeah, and a wonderfuly non reliable 1994 exploder, which has been my guinea pig the last 6 months

George