My '92 Explorer Is Heating Up - Please Help!

[Gabriels Rage]

Hello, I'm new to this forum. I just got my first car and its a '92 Ford Explorer XLT 4x4... When I turn it over it will run fine, but after idling for just a few minutes the heat gauge starts climbing up all the way past the 'L' in "Normal", at which point I shut it off. And once it starts getting hot it shoots fluid out the radiator right below the cap out some sort of overflow spout. I got it knowing this was the case, and the guy just replaced the radiator and the thermostat was previously replaced also... I've done tons of searching but have yet found an answer to this specific question. I won't move it or give it any gas and it will do this, so I'm ruling out the fan clutch.
Could this be caused my air in the line, faulty thermostat, or even the waterpump? The belt looks good, I do not see any signs of poor wear on them. The part that really catches my attention is that it started shooting out the fluid... Especially since its slightly low, but not abnormally low (I don't think).
This will be my first time working on a car, but I've spent many months worth of hours reading everything I could find on automotive work.

Any ideas or suggestions would be greatly appreciated!
Hopefully I can get this thing in drivable condition before the fall comes around.
Thank you!
~Gabriel

 

[ThePhoenix]

welcome. I would check the thermostat first

 

[BrianDye]

Yea, id check the thermostat, and just get into things a little deeper, maybe a good coolant flush couldnt hurt either, i wonder why it would be blowing out the spout like that, could your radiator be clogged maybe or something?

 

[ThePhoenix]

check the lower radiator hose...make sure it hasnt collapsed

 

[Gabriels Rage]

Alright, great. Thanks everyone for the replies.
I have an interview this afternoon, so after that I'll take a look at it and let you all know how it goes.
Thanks again.
~Gabe

 

[Gabriels Rage]

Update

Alright, so I wasn't able to make it back to the computer last night but I did take a look at the explorer. The lower radiator house and all the houses connected to the radiator look great (just dirty of course), so I'm assuming it is the thermostat. In the process of taking off the air duct, I popped open the filter housing and found that to be very filthy. So with any luck, today I'll make a trip to walmart to pick up a new filter and pick up all the fluids well I'm at it. Is there any recommendations on where to buy the thermostat? Who is the most trusted company to buy from do y'all think?

Also, is there anything else that is highly recommended to do well I have it apart?

Thanks in advance!
~Gabe

 

[Gabriels Rage]

New News!

Alright, I replaced the air filter and managed to get the thermostat housing off, and so I tested the thermostat. It did not do anything until it was above boiling point (so like, 215F degrees) when it just suddenly dropped open. On top of that, it looked pretty rusty already, which was strange I thought. The fluid lights up like Vegas lights green, so I know it was not due to that. Odds are it was just because its been sitting there? I dunno, but I thought it was strange.
Anyways, I got a new one in there (only 12 dollars with tax including the gasket). In the process of taking off the thermostat housing, I noticed there was only two screws put in and the third one was missing, on top of that; one of them was put in wrong so it was making its all hole... AARG! We ended up just getting a slightly larger screw/bolt/whatever and put it in there. So now we're trying to decide if we should take the one that took out a piece of the block with it and put it in the third hole, just to make sure there is no air leakage getting in to mess up the thermostat... Any suggestions? Its a pain to get to... The third one is the one behind the alternator I believe.
I also got a new oil filter so I can do a change once it starts running again. And on another note, the battery is at the store charging now (for free), so I can't do a hole lot until it gets done.

I'll let y'all know how it goes.
~Gabe

 

[nitro71]

That overflow spout should be connected to the radiator expansion/over flow chamber right next to the wiper fluid resevoir. Doesn't matter where you get the thermostat. Yours was shot for sure, believe they are 195 stock? 215 is way to high.

 

[Gabriels Rage]

Problem!
I put in some water to mix in with the radiator fluid that was already in there, and filled it way up. I kept the radiator cap off and turned over the engine and it fired right up. After about 5 minutes it started sloshing and just pouring out the cap!!! Is that what it is suppose to do when your "burping" the system??? It freaked me out, as I had no idea that would happen. So I threw the cap back on it and continued to run it. The temp gauge started going up and got pretty hot, but then it started to go back down (to the middle) so we decided to take it around the block to see what happens. Yup, it went near redline. So we gently got it back home and shut her off. At which point it started to cool down a little right as we were parking it.
No leaking from the therm. housing, so that was a good thing.
Battery doesn't hold a charge very well though, so I need to get a new one if I can fix the over heating problem.
PLEASE HELP ME! I seriously need some advice on this....

Thank you...
~Gabe

 

[Gabriels Rage]

Alright, thanks Nitro. I'll take a look at that...
Also, is the thermostat suppose to just pop open, or does it slowly open? Mine seemed to have just dropped instantly...?

Is there any chance you could help me with the burping issue?

That overflow spout should be connected to the radiator expansion/over flow chamber right next to the wiper fluid resevoir. Doesn't matter where you get the thermostat. Yours was shot for sure, believe they are 195 stock? 215 is way to high.

Thank you!
~Gabe

 

[BrianDye]

That overflow spout should be connected to the radiator expansion/over flow chamber right next to the wiper fluid resevoir. .

What if theres nothing in that chamber?
Ive had my 92 for almost a year, and it never even gets halfway past the O on normal, but theres no fluid in the chamber...

 

[Doubt Incarnate]

maybe a bad head gasket? if hot combustion gasses make their way into the coolant they heat it up pretty good. maybe double check the belt or water pump. if the old thermostat was rusty maybe the pump itself isnt so hot either. if you take the belt off and the pump spins fine by hand i'd guess its ok. if the belt is too slack it might not be gripping the pump pulley well, a new belt wouldnt hurt in any case. unless its a new one already. a flush would be one of the cheaper things you could do that can eliminate blockage if there is any.

 

[Gabriels Rage]

Could be... The belt seems fine, but I might as well replace it.
I'll probably do a flush, but I have no idea if that will help as I believe it was just done not long ago...
Its starting to get annoying, really...
I was going to upload an image to show, but I don't see any attachment options...

maybe a bad head gasket? if hot combustion gasses make their way into the coolant they heat it up pretty good. maybe double check the belt or water pump. if the old thermostat was rusty maybe the pump itself isnt so hot either. if you take the belt off and the pump spins fine by hand i'd guess its ok. if the belt is too slack it might not be gripping the pump pulley well, a new belt wouldnt hurt in any case. unless its a new one already. a flush would be one of the cheaper things you could do that can eliminate blockage if there is any.

Thanks for the advice guys. I wish it would run good like yours Brian.
~Gabe

 

[BrianDye]

Yea, but I cant say mines great, it sure runs cool, but shes getting older and older and leaks quite a bit of oil now, and I need a lot of front end work done.

I wish I could help you out more, but im still learning what the hell even a thermostat is lol

 

[Gabriels Rage]

Haha, yeah... Mine has just got a bunch of front end work done, so thats all taken care of for me. It was like, 1500 dollars worth of stuff. 0
Sorry to hear about the oil leakage, hopefully you find a cure.

Yea, but I cant say mines great, it sure runs cool, but shes getting older and older and leaks quite a bit of oil now, and I need a lot of front end work done.

I wish I could help you out more, but im still learning what the hell even a thermostat is lol

Not a problem, thanks for the advice you have given!
~Gabe

 

[BrianDye]

Eh im not too worried about it, I have a guy whos buying it for 1800$ here whenever I get my 95 done, which I need to get off my lazy ass and work like hell on, ive had it for 3 months now. All I "NEED" is a power steering pump, then she can drive, but I still have half the interior ripped out, cus I cant figure out how to take the damn dash "shell" off so I can paint it

 

[Gabriels Rage]

Nice.
That pump is gonna be join to work on. Hah, in the 92 its a pain to get any of the pully systems apart (or so it seems).
I saw your interior thrown all over the place when I watch your video regarding the sea foam cleaning, haha. You should post a How To Video (or at least with pictures) when you figure out what it takes to get it off. I might want to do that on mine, depending on if I get it running good and all.

Eh im not too worried about it, I have a guy whos buying it for 1800$ here whenever I get my 95 done, which I need to get off my lazy ass and work like hell on, ive had it for 3 months now. All I "NEED" is a power steering pump, then she can drive, but I still have half the interior ripped out, cus I cant figure out how to take the damn dash "shell" off so I can paint it

Anyways, back on topic. I noticed the oil is ugly as hell, and its pretty low, but not too incredibly bad. Could that have anything to do with it over heating?
Also, my mom is a daughter of a mechanic so she knows a few things, and she was thinking maybe there is way too much water mixed in with the radiator fluid and thinks that could make it not cool it down well enough. What are your guys' opinions on this?
Also, the radiator cap seems to be rusted, though it does seal. There is so much rust in everything, and so I wanted to know if there is something I can do to get rid of most of it (in side the overflow box, hoses, etc.)? Would a radiator flushing fluid work to get rid of all that?

Thank you again!
~Gabe

 

[doonze]

Ok, a few things real quick, get a new radiator cap, they are like 4-5 bucks, our "stock" is 13lbs, some people use 16lbs. I use 13lbs so whatever you want to do there. The higher the pressure the higher it raises the boiling point. I think it's 3 degrees per pound. They go bad and don't keep pressure and the water boils and boiling water doesn't cool right, and then you run hot. That would explain your "gushing" issue in your first posts. Boiling = spraying coolant everywhere.

Second, just water should do enough at least for normal operation. There are some science guys on here who have done the math and I've read the post (notice I didn't say UNDERSTOOD the post) but it seems that you can get a little better cooling out of a antifreeze/water mix, but it's not a huge difference. Mostly you just burn up your water pump if you run straight water long enough (however i've been running just water for 2 month while I'm working on my overheating issue with no problems). In fact, you get LESS cooling if you use too MUCH AF (more then 50-70% AF in mixture). But you do want to make sure you run antifreeze in the end or you'll fry your water pump bearings I've heard, they need the lub the AF has in it. But just water will work pretty much as well as antifreeze, just doesn't lub or keep the water from freezing in the winter.

Now, Waterwetter.... Now THAT suff helps I've read (same post as above) I don't understand the physics, but it makes a difference. More then AF/No AF would. However your problem is way beyond anything adding any fluid to your system is going to fix. First get that new cap, that's priorty #1 at the moment, and it's cheap.

You sent me a PM about burping, I'm going to have a post about that soon, but your not quite to the point where burping is going to matter. A good burp is not going to solve this issue. It's got to run cool for awhile first. You should be able to Idle and run around the block without issues, then we can work on a good burp.

Also might want to pick up a new temp sending unit for the gauge, it's about $10 and you might as well be sure your seeing the right readings... *shrug*


I've got some more thoughts, I'll post up when I'm not at work. (on break right now)

 

[doonze]

And to answer your PM about burping, I have my steps listed on the last post on this thread...

http://www.explorerforum.com/forums/showthread.php?t=248844


About your oil, I don't think it being a bit old or low would really cause the issues your seeing. Now being REALLY low or REALLY, REALLY, REALLY old then maybe. Wouldn't hurt to change it, but not the cause of your problem.

As far as a flush goes, yes, you can get a lot of "rust" out. When you go get the radiator cap pick up a Prestone "back flush" kit. They are like $3.99, and follow the instructions, sure as heck can't hurt. Course I've been flushing for 7 weeks now and am STILL getting rust out of my system. At this time don't bother with the "super flush" stuff. Won't do you a bit of good until you can get the truck to run for 6 hours off and on without overheating. I would just use straight water in it until you get it cooling correctly. That way your not killing everything with antifreeze spilling out, nor wasting your money.

Now for your main issue, if you have a new thermostat AND a new radiator, either you've got a clogged water channel in your block (very rare, but not impossible I guess), a clogged heater core (though your issue is too bad for that I think), a bad water pump, a bad temp sending unit, or something leaking somewhere it shouldn't be. If you have water in your oil, oil in your water, or air getting into you water stream it's a cracked head or bad head gasket. You said your oil looked bad... did it look milky at all?? Any sign of oil in your water? The hardest would be air from the cylinders getting into your water. I've heard often it will turn you water "murky" or brown like rust will, but I don't know for sure. The only test I could think of is do the "burp" I mentioned above, and if the bubbles never stop you have a air leak.

I would start with the flush, another good thing about that process is for part of it you have to have the truck running. If you overheat with fresh hose water running through the system you got some major issues beyond what I could imagine. You should be able to tell if the pump is pumping or not during this part of the flush. If you rev the engine, you should see the water slow down it's flow, and when you let off it should shoot it out, telling you a least your pump is doing SOMETHING. If you do it post up what happens, I'm curious.

 

[Sewerat]

Ok, i didn't see this mentioned in the thread. quick and easy test for your water pump.
Remove the thermostat and reinstall the thermostat housing without it.

Fill the radiator to about 2 inches from the top with water.

With the radiator cap off, start the engine.

look inside the radiator while it's running and you should see several small streams of water running.

If not the water pump is bad.