No Antifreeze & Rough Idle

[RodmanC]

Let me start by saying that I'm sorry this is my first post but we haven't had the Explorer all that long.

My wife's 99 Ford Explorer is having problems. She said a few days ago it was running a little hot.

So she checked the antifreeze and there wasn't any in there so she put some water in there to hold it over. Well that was the first day and she forgot to tell me about it.

The second day did the same thing, so she filled it with water again, because the resivoir (sp?) was bone dry again. That same day she turned on the cool air and she said some smoke was coming out of the vents. She got it home that day and I put some antifreeze in there, my father called me and told me it was probably the temp gauge coming from the radiator? I looked for what he was trying to describe and I couldn't find it! Her father thought it was the heater core and that the passenger side floorboard would be wet, we checked and it wasn't wet.

She drove it the 3rd day and when she came to a stop it would shutter pretty bad but when she was moving it seemed fine.

So the Explorer is sitting here not being driven at the moment. I didn't see or notice any leaks for the antifreeze but doesn't mean that there isn't.

Any and all help will be Greatly Appreciated, Thanks! SPC Rodman.

 

[burtonbrd138]

how many miles are on this x? If there is no sign of water or antifreeze on the ground there could be many things causing this. Look at the radiator hose connectors and see if there is any leaks. There is a possibility that the water is going into the intake manifold through the gaskets and it also could be a blown head gasket. If you have a rough idle it is most likely the intake gaskets or the head gasket. See if there is water being mixed in the oil also.

 

[Cobraguy]

Roll tide!! ::biggthump

 

[RodmanC]

Roll tide!! ::biggthump

BOO! :thumbdwn:

The Explorer has right around 100,500 miles. I don't think its the heater core, but I can't find the thermostat or whatever that would be with the radiator... I'm thinking I'm just going to have to take it in somewhere, just go ahead and have the thermostat replaced and go ahead and get a new water pump. I don't know though... If you have any suggestions or can post a picture where the thermostat is under there, I'd appreciate it! Thanks again, SPC Rodman.