HELP!!! The X is overheating.

[99exEB1]

So, I'm going down a local road at about 2700 rpms and I glace down at the spedo to check my speed, and see a red light thats usually not lit up. I look back down to check it out, and its not lit up, thinking to myself no biggie it was probably something stupid like 'door ajar'. I keep on going like it's no big deal, go to my friends house and hang out there for a little bit to talk and whatnot. While leaving to pick up another friend, I see the same light lit up, "check gauge" I think was what it said. So, I look down, gas 3/4 full, rpms 2100, evertything seamed normal. So, I look on the right side at the temp gauge and notice that the needle is in the red zone!! "Holy $hit, I start feaking out and take down the rpms to as low as possible, I think it was somewhere around 1200ish.

Anyways, on my way home to get a new car I pull over, and pop the hood. Fan is running, and it looks all normal, but the engine coolant tank looked really full. More than it looks like is usually in it. I proceed on and the temp drops, still at like 3/4 of the way to the red. As I continue, the engine begins to feel weak as hell, (you know when you floor it and right as it is about to down shift, it feels like an eptiness) well thats what it felt like everytime that thing would get a little more gas. I really dont know how else to describe it, sorry, I was hoping that someone could give me some advice as to what may be wrong. Any replies are appreciated!! Thanks, and sorry for a long post.

 

[Majisto]

Thermostat most likely...

 

[Blee1099]

Check your fluid and replace the thermostat. hell you might as well flush the whole system.

 

[KSpride]

I had the same problem

Back in like Sept I had the same problem. I replaced the thermostat... problems go BYE BYE...

 

[99exEB1]

Thats just it though, we just had all new fluids and whatnot put in like 1200miles ago, before the roadtrip.

 

[99exEB1]

Sounds good, anyone know where to get a thermostat for cheap?

 

[JDraper]

Go to any auto store. Thermostats run about $5

 

[Mbrooks420]

NEVER DRIVE AN OVERHEATING VEHICLE. Todays aluminum engines cannot take being overheated. You shouldn't pull over to check stuff or drive the rest of the way home. Pull over open the hood and wait. Your fluid tank was too full because coolant expands as it gets hotter. You might be low on fluid now. Hopefully you didn't damage anything permanently.

 

[99exEB1]

Ok, well I went out to the auto store and bought a new t-stat, my new question is, can I use the old gasket or shoud I have bought a new one?? Thanks guys!

 

[Majisto]

Well since you did not buy a new one, go ahead and use the old one is, but my guess is that it is probably shot. Go ahead and use the old one for now so you can drive to the parts store and buy a new one. Always replace gaskets when possible. I think they cost maybe $1.

 

[99exEB1]

Yeah it was a buck o' nine, damn I should have bought that. Is it really neccesarry to drain the cooling system though? Sorry for the questions, this is the frist time im doing this...

 

[RAZOR]

Had the same problem. Thermostat! Change the coolant also.

 

[99exEB1]

Coolant isnt too old like just over 1000miles so if at all possible i dont want to mess with the coolant, anyone know if i have to drain the coolant?

 

[BradE.]

Yes, you need to at least partially drain the cooling system. You will need to drain so the coolant level is below the thermostat housing. Otherwise when you remove the T-Stat coolant will come spilling out.

 

[99exEB1]

Me being the idiot that I am, cannot even find the t-stat housing, yes I know very little about mechanics. So unless anyone can show me a pretty simple picture, I'm just going to say screw it, and take it into a shop.

 

[BradE.]

Just follow your upper radiator hose to the engine. Where it meets is the T-Stat housing. There is 3 bolts holding the housing to the engine.

If you take it to a shop be ready to pay $80-$100 to have the thermostat replaced.

 

[Maniak]

Go to www.autozone.com and use their "repair info" link of the left.

It is sort of like a poor mans chiltons... but has most of the pertinant info you need.

~Mark

 

[99exEB1]

Thanks a lot for all of your help guys!! I was unable to find enough time to get the whole thing done so my Dad just told me to take it in tomorrow. My grandpa seems to thing that it might be a water pump, anyone know?

 

[BradE.]

You start with the cheapest possible fix (thermostat) before you start worrying about water pumps. If I had to guess, I'd say it's your thermostat. It's a common problem on Explorers.

 

[99exEB1]

Alright, thanks again. BTW how close do you live to the University of Cinci.