"burping" the cooling system.

[676cyl]

My temperature guage problem continues.
See my previous posts.
I took it to the dealership due to the fact the temp guage is going up to normal and back to cool "cycling".
They said it could be air in the system and that the are "buggers" to get the air out of.
Has anyone heard of this and does anyone have any tricks on "burping" the system (thanks for the previous responses).
1996 4.0l 4x4 xl Ex. stock.

 

[Kamaaina]

My '96 2wd does the same thing when I first start it up in the morning. The temperature gauge seems to hunt up and down. I think this is normal when first starting the engine until the temperature stabilizes. When the thermostat first opens the engine gets a blast of cold coolant from the radiator and this causes the 'stat to close again. This cycle repeats itself until everything gets all warm and happy.

 

[MONMIX]

Burping is as easy as getting it hot letting it cool, topping it off. Repeat this three or four times.
Many cars have bleeder valves, but I don't think Ford is one of them.

 

[Kamaaina]

If "burping" is removing air from the cooling system then a closed coolant recovery system should do it automatically. As coolant heats and expands it pushes air out of the radiator cap into the recovery bottle and when it cools it draws coolant back in.

 

[410Fortune]

Have you replaced the thermostat?
How about the radiator cap?

A buddy of mine had a similar problem on a 91 Ex, there was air trapped in the system, we got rid of it by:

Pull the upper rad hose off the radiator, boil hot water inside on the stove, a big ol pot of it.
Pour the hot water down the upper hose.

This opens the thermostat (assuming your thermo is working right) and fills the passages in the intake in reverse, the fluctuating gage went away.

 

[Redbird]

Hey, I'm having the same problem (temp gauge cycling up and down) after I replaced my t-stat. I was wondering if I brain farted and installed is backwards?

I also have a question...
What is the normal operation temp as far as what is shown on the gauge? Mine seems to spike just over halfway. Is that normal?

Thanks

 

[TPLYNCH]

Mine runs a tad before the little thermostat which is in the middle of the gauge.

 

[676cyl]

Normally mine does to.

 

[demswiler]

Temp problem

I had the same problem on my 92. Two things to check. First make sure you have a 195 degree t-stat not a lower one. A 185 made it cycle more and killed the gas mileage. Second, before you put the thermostat in see if it has a small bleed hole in the flat section. If not, CAREFULLY drill an 1/8" hole in the flat part. This allows any air to work itself out when you fill the coolant. Mine used to cycle between the low mark and the mid point, now it stays pretty steady in the center. Hope this helps!

 

[676cyl]

Thanks. I used the stock Ford T stat. It has a "valve" type thing which is to be at the 12:00 position. The dealer told me these can be diffcult to get air out of ???
It is still cycling or hunting.
Regards.

 

[Redbird]

Yes, my temp is still cycling
Maybe I'll try the hole thing.
Thanks