cooling issues

[rollin' D]

My temperature gauge is jumping up and down and I can't figure out why. Also I've noticed my coolant disappearing from the reservoir with no apparent leak from the engine or reservoir(none on ground). The gauge problem wouldn't bother me because I've never had good luck w/ ford temp gauges, but the exploder only has 43,000 on it. Could the sending unit be at fault? Any suggestions would be appreciated.

 

[kps36]

The thing that bothers me about this is the fact that coolant is disappearing. Yeah, Ford gauges (ALL of them ..SUCK).
Try this as a start, when cold and you notice your coolant level low in the resevoir, get your container ready, pop the rad. cap, then start then engine. Fill the res. until the fill mark, allow the engine to run until the TStat opens and completes the circuit (upper Rad hose flowing w/warm-hot coolant). When system has completely 'burped' all air out and level in Rad. is up and Res. is Full, recap the rad. shut down the engine.
This will purge all air out of system, which 'could' cause the gauge to jump. Also, you may have an intermittant TStat failure, in which after you change that out repeat the 'burping' process.
W/only 43K miles, I doubt if it is anything serious (cracked head). If you got some time, change out Tstat (Ford also suck here too), get a 195 Stant .. MAKE SURE YOU GET THE O-Ring gasket), change that out and with 43K, you're due for a flush, refill...when done follow the burping procedure above..
hope that works.
let me/us know.
just my .02

 

[rollin' D]

Thanks for the help. I'll give it a try. I haven't had a ford for years and forgot that Ford Tstats have NEVER worked. It gauge started moving when the outside temp dropped after I got back from 4wheeling.

 

[Robert]

It sounds like your water pump is sticking. It may also be leaking. Look underneith at the bottom of your water pump for any green stains.