Overheating...after walmart oil change!

[Ras119]

Okay, went to walmart today to get a cheap oil change. But before you guys beat me up for that let me get this out. So, i drive from there to the grocery store, and notice my explorer is running hot. And the transmission is shifting a little hard, and it is idling high, around 1500. Now, I took the truck right back, they of course say they didnt do anything other than change oil. We did notice the coolant is ugly dark green, but no oil in it. I have by the way a 2001 sport, with 49k miles. They think its thermostat. Truck blows heat fine, upper radiator hose gets very hot. I'm at a loss. I can hear the water gurgling in the radiator, but i don't think it should do that. It is supposed to be a closed system. The question is, do i just replace the therm. and see what happens or take it to a shop, in case Walmart did mess something up I will need a real mechanic to document something right?

 

[Billy177]

i would replace the thermostat and flush the system at the same time and go from there

 

[Opera House]

Was the coolant fluid level down. That would have been hard to check with a hot engine. Check radiator, not overflow. Shouldn't gurgle unless there is air in the system. Check temp sensors to see if they knocked off a connector.

 

[Ras119]

Having not messed with my truck very much, can anyone tell me where those coolant temp sensors are?

 

[Jason_25]

The water probably gurgled because it got too hot. If the coolant level isn't low, 99% chance it's your thermostat. A loose sensor is very unlikely considering a different sensor drives both the gauge and the computer reading, and it appears that both sensors are agreeing with each other if you experienced a high temperature gauge AND increased idle and firmer shift points.

 

[general x]

if the rad is gurgling (assumed because of high heat) wouldnt that mean the thermostate is working??? or does that just mean the heat is making its way to the rad in a unhealthy manner?

 

[Ras119]

well, just thought i'd throw a follow up post on here. Although it seemed awful suspicious that everything was completely fine until i dropped it off at walmart this all started but with a new therm. dropped in the other day, everything is 1005 fine and back to normal. Thanks for help guys.