Coolant temperature over 220 degrees with AC on | Ford Explorer Forums

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Coolant temperature over 220 degrees with AC on

Harley McIntyre

Well-Known Member
Joined
March 31, 2019
Messages
160
Reaction score
25
City, State
Lake Geneva, WI
Year, Model & Trim Level
2006 Explorer EB 4.6l
I was sitting idling in a parking lot, and with the AC on full blast the coolant got up to 223 and seemed to level out there, intake air temperature was at 140 (not sure if it matters) ambient temperature was 64 so it's not like it's even hot out. The coolant needle didn't move an inch so idk if this is normal or not, I have a 195°f thermostat in it, coolant level was fine (somewhere below full hot but it's always been like that even when the full cold is perfect) no leaks that I could see, is this normal? To me it seems like anything over 210 unless you are towing is kinda high let alone 220 while idling
 



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Thats a little hot just idling with ac. I would think that the temp might be a little higher idling and not moving but not that high expecialy with the outside air temp being 67°f. How old is the thermostat?

Even if the thermostat is a year or two old it may be failing. On my v6 explorer I am on the 3rd motorcraft thermostat. The origanal was replaced 4 years ago for sticking closed. The second was replaced 1 year 11 months later for being stuck open.
 






Thats a little hot just idling with ac. I would think that the temp might be a little higher idling and not moving but not that high expecialy with the outside air temp being 67°f. How old is the thermostat?

Even if the thermostat is a year or two old it may be failing. On my v6 explorer I am on the 3rd motorcraft thermostat. The origanal was replaced 4 years ago for sticking closed. The second was replaced 1 year 11 months later for being stuck open.
It was replaced back in July so it should be fine, id be surprised if it was bad
 






It was replaced back in July so it should be fine, id be surprised if it was bad
Its probally not bad then. Ok so your left with only a couple other things it could be. Water pump, cooling fan, or radiator.

Was the cooling fan running at full power when the temp hit 220?
 






If the engine does't heat up when traveling highway speeds it could indicate the fans aren't working properly.
 






Its probally not bad then. Ok so your left with only a couple other things it could be. Water pump, cooling fan, or radiator.

Was the cooling fan running at full power when the temp hit 220?
nope, i revved the engine and didnt hear the fan roar, im thinking it could be the water pump at this point, everything else looks fine
 






If the engine does't heat up when traveling highway speeds it could indicate the fans aren't working properly.
it gets up to temp usually within 10-15 min unless its super cold out
 






with almost 200k a bad water pump wouldn't surprise me.
ill inspect the water pump tomorrow and we'll see
 






it gets up to temp usually within 10-15 min unless its super cold out
I am referring to the water temperatures not over heating when traveling at highway speeds. Traveling at high speeds forces air through the radiator and the fans aren't needed much to cool the coolant. If there is no overheating issues at highway speeds and there are overheating problems at idle or low speeds then this points to a faulty fan or fans. Or it could be the fan controls.
 






I am referring to the water temperatures not over heating when traveling at highway speeds. Traveling at high speeds forces air through the radiator and the fans aren't needed much to cool the coolant. If there is no overheating issues at highway speeds and there are overheating problems at idle or low speeds then this points to a faulty fan or fans. Or it could be the fan controls.
ohh okay, once i get going like 35mph it drops back to about normal
 






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