Explorer Running Hot

[gard_mc]

Hope somebody can help. A couple years ago my temp gauge went out in my 1996 Sport, rather than pay the $225 + labor for a factory replacement I put an actual temperature guage in my dash. Last year my thermostat went bad and I had it replaced. Now my explorer will run at 180 for a while, then move up to 200+ degrees. After letting it cool off the overflow for coolant is always low. I haven't been able to find any leaks after its been parked.

My questions are:
1) Could the coolant (mix or water and coolant) be burning off at this low temperature?
2) Could the fan not be working right, allowing this to happen?
3) Can anybody recommend a good stop leak product, I think a small leak I can't find could be possible?
4) Is 200 degrees a temperature to worry about? Does anybody know what the standard gauge normal operating range is since it doesn't have numbers on it?

Sorry so long, but I wan't to get all the relevant info in.

Thanks!

 

[aldive]

Mine is a 99 but when hooked up to a OBD ii scanner, the water temperature runs 190-193 F.

Hope this helps.

 

[88vert]

i would change the thermostat again sounds like it is sticking I think the reason you are losing water is that it is running so hot it is evaporating 200 is hot 12 more degrees and it is boiling

 

[Robert]

Originally posted by 88vert
i would change the thermostat again sounds like it is sticking I think the reason you are losing water is that it is running so hot it is evaporating 200 is hot 12 more degrees and it is boiling

Only if he is running straight water with no anti-freeze. 200 is fine, especially during the summer time in warm climates. A 50/50 mix is good for about 250-260 before it boils.

My '97 hovers between 190 & 195 here in Phoenix with no loads or mountain grades. Pull a trailer or climb a grade and it will easily hit 200. On my gauge when the needle gets to the last white line before the red line that is 240. I had a thermostat stick and I was comparing the gauge with my OBD-II scanner. I wouldn't be a bit concerned about 200 in the summer. If it starts running over 210 then I would have some concerns about leaving town. If it occasionally ran 200 I would keep an eye on it but wouldn't be overly concerned.