goobenet
Well-Known Member
- Joined
- May 29, 2004
- Messages
- 115
- Reaction score
- 0
- City, State
- Waite Park, MN
- Year, Model & Trim Level
- 94 XLT
Braintrust,
I've got a 94 XLT automatic with 146k on the clock that just started showing signs that something is wrong as far as cooling goes. I'm not quite sure what it could be, hopefully y'all could point me down a road... (i'm not rich, but i also don't have money to buy a new vehicle, so nickel and dime away!)
Here's the issue: Start the X cold, it's fine, i let it sit for about 5 minutes in the morning (here in MN it could be -20 or +40, who knows) and i hear like, a metal-on-metal scratching sound, but i cannot pinpoint it, but it goes away after a few minutes. (water pump going out?)
Now here's the real issue, i took it on a christmas trip (100 miles one way) and about 60 miles into the trip i noticed the temp gauge had decided to go a little higher than what i normally see it go. It made it all the way to the "A" in NORMAL. It has NEVER gotten that hot EVER . Normal range for that is barely above the N (in the summer it'll get to the O). I know the t-stat is okay because i can see the thing open by the gauge going back down to below the "N" and slowly creeping back up. I'm going to replace it anyways and see what shall be. (i've been told it could be sticking)
It doesn't appear to be head gaskets (yet) either, rad cap off, rev the engine, nothing spews, no bubbles, nada. I've burped the system a few times, and that sometimes helps. Which leads me to think that air is somehow getting into the system. I have no water in the oil, no oil in the water.
I've been told it could be the following:
Rad cap. Cheap fix, one is on the way from ford. (stealership didn't have any in stock)
T-Stat sticking. Again, gonna replace this in the next few days.
Fan Clutch. Now this one confuses me. I've done the tests posted here on the forums, and from what i can tell, it's okay. I'd rather not replace it if it seems to be fine, seeing as how ford is really proud of thes 13 year old parts. ($177!?)
I would do a compression test, but the plugs are rusted in and i don't feel like dropping $1500 on a head job when i might not need one (yet, i know it's coming).
Any other thoughts?
I've got a 94 XLT automatic with 146k on the clock that just started showing signs that something is wrong as far as cooling goes. I'm not quite sure what it could be, hopefully y'all could point me down a road... (i'm not rich, but i also don't have money to buy a new vehicle, so nickel and dime away!)
Here's the issue: Start the X cold, it's fine, i let it sit for about 5 minutes in the morning (here in MN it could be -20 or +40, who knows) and i hear like, a metal-on-metal scratching sound, but i cannot pinpoint it, but it goes away after a few minutes. (water pump going out?)
Now here's the real issue, i took it on a christmas trip (100 miles one way) and about 60 miles into the trip i noticed the temp gauge had decided to go a little higher than what i normally see it go. It made it all the way to the "A" in NORMAL. It has NEVER gotten that hot EVER . Normal range for that is barely above the N (in the summer it'll get to the O). I know the t-stat is okay because i can see the thing open by the gauge going back down to below the "N" and slowly creeping back up. I'm going to replace it anyways and see what shall be. (i've been told it could be sticking)
It doesn't appear to be head gaskets (yet) either, rad cap off, rev the engine, nothing spews, no bubbles, nada. I've burped the system a few times, and that sometimes helps. Which leads me to think that air is somehow getting into the system. I have no water in the oil, no oil in the water.
I've been told it could be the following:
Rad cap. Cheap fix, one is on the way from ford. (stealership didn't have any in stock)
T-Stat sticking. Again, gonna replace this in the next few days.
Fan Clutch. Now this one confuses me. I've done the tests posted here on the forums, and from what i can tell, it's okay. I'd rather not replace it if it seems to be fine, seeing as how ford is really proud of thes 13 year old parts. ($177!?)
I would do a compression test, but the plugs are rusted in and i don't feel like dropping $1500 on a head job when i might not need one (yet, i know it's coming).
Any other thoughts?