HELP!!...Losing coolant,fluctuating temp gauge, and irratic idle :(

[Germ]

I have a 1999 Ford exploder. 4.0 SOHC...This problem has gotten out of hand now since yesterday.

The car has always leaked coolant a bit since i had it and has just gotten progressively worse. In the last 2 days i have had to almost use a whole gallon each time i filled up the radiator and reserve (Twice in the past 2 days). Also the tempature gauge fluctuates horribly. It goes a little past half way then the car idles strange like you have your foot on slightly on the gas and then has what i like to call a "breaking" point in which the temp gauge goes back down to a quarter of the way hot and the car idles normally and operates normally. but i am still losing a lot of coolant which is nowhere to be found under the vehicle. There has also been times where the temp gauge does not look like its working then out of nowhere it just hit the normal operating temp mark. the car shows no loss of power or anything of that nature.

I PRAY it is not a cracked or bad head

But what is this symptom looking like to you guys?. I'm thinking a failing water pump because the belt will squeal and then when that breaking point happens it will not sqeaul (its not a screech but more like a bearing going bad type sound). I really hope someone tells me its either a radiator cap,water pump,or thermostat this is my only means of transportation. Any help is appreciated.

-GeRm

 

[M Penwald]

Unless your Explorer possesses some power that causes the laws of physics to be suspended, you're either missing a hell of a lot of coolant leaking from the engine compartment (or heater core) or you're loosing it through the combustion chamber and out the exhaust as vapor or into the oil pan.

Large quantities of burnt coolant cause a putrid smelling white smoke out the exhaust pipe. Coolant in the oil pan will cause a disgusting smelling milky appearance to the oil, but with the small oil pan of any Explorer motor, you don't have room to store gallons of coolant in the oil.

If you're burning coolant for any extended amount of time, you're likely scoring the cylinder and walls. Nothing good comes of that and in pretty short order.

 

[Germ]

It's been doing this for about 2 years...but as of the last 2 days it has gotten worse 10 fold.

 

[Germ]

Ok i finally got a chance to check her out...

When engine is cold,car does not leak
-No bubbles in radiator
-No white smoke
-No milky oil
-Radiator fan is always spinning...never stops.

When the car gets hot it's a whole different ball game

-Squealing occurs
-Leaks pretty badly from what seems to be the water pump which lets water drop all the way do to the oil pan then to the floor (I cant be sure because there is a lot of stuff in the way)
-If i look at the fan/water pump pulley i can see it wobble just a bit (bad bearing?)
-RPMS change like its over heating and then corrects itself a short time later

So my educated guess is my water pump and thermostat are failing....If anyone thinks anything else feel free to add

 

[bobflood]

Ok i finally got a chance to check her out...

When engine is cold,car does not leak
-No bubbles in radiator
-No white smoke
-No milky oil
-Radiator fan is always spinning...never stops.

When the car gets hot it's a whole different ball game

-Squealing occurs
-Leaks pretty badly from what seems to be the water pump which lets water drop all the way do to the oil pan then to the floor (I cant be sure because there is a lot of stuff in the way)
-If i look at the fan/water pump pulley i can see it wobble just a bit (bad bearing?)
-RPMS change like its over heating and then corrects itself a short time later

So my educated guess is my water pump and thermostat are failing....If anyone thinks anything else feel free to add

Sure sounds like the water pump is going; leak is probably around the water pump shaft. Likely on it's last legs; strongly suggest you get it fixed before you overheat and do real damage!!

 

[scdix50]

Try this, When engine is off and not hot, try to wiggle the fan blades and hub. If it moves any at all, replace the water pump. Most every thing should calm down. At this point you can only hope there is not any other damage done. When the coolant is not passing a cross the sensors which will happen when low the engine reacts to the changes as if the engine is running cold or hot.