Engine running hot

[TidePride50]

When my wife got home today she said when she got out of the exploerer she could smell antifreeze and the engine compartment was making a hissing sound. When I got home I took it up the road to see how it was driving and it ran fine, but the engine needle was almost on hot. I nursed it back home and I smelled the antifreeze and heard the noise. After letting it cool I filled the coolant resevior up with water (it was empty) and took it back up the road. It ran fine and did not run hot. When I got back I couldnt smell anything or hear the noise. I still have yet to see any traces of a leak other than the smell. I looked all under the engine compartment and on the driveway where it had been parked both times and no antifreeze. Anyone got a diagnosis for this? I'm gonna call my buddy that is a mechanic for Ford in the morning, but I wanted to get an idea of what I might be looking at. Thanks.

 

[BrooklynBay]

Connect a cooling system pressure tester to it.

 

[top detailer]

When my wife got home today she said when she got out of the exploerer she could smell antifreeze and the engine compartment was making a hissing sound. When I got home I took it up the road to see how it was driving and it ran fine, but the engine needle was almost on hot. I nursed it back home and I smelled the antifreeze and heard the noise. After letting it cool I filled the coolant resevior up with water (it was empty) and took it back up the road. It ran fine and did not run hot. When I got back I couldnt smell anything or hear the noise. I still have yet to see any traces of a leak other than the smell. I looked all under the engine compartment and on the driveway where it had been parked both times and no antifreeze. Anyone got a diagnosis for this? I'm gonna call my buddy that is a mechanic for Ford in the morning, but I wanted to get an idea of what I might be looking at. Thanks.

Well, i'm currently having the same problem with my wife's 04 explorer. The problem I had with hers was the thermostat housing unit. It's the part on top where i\the thermostat is located and it has to hoses attached along with 6 screws. Very simple to change and replace. I'm going to the dealer today and pick up the part and fix the problem.