overheating? done everything!

[fordmanfox]

Ok well i had an overheating problem, so,... Installed NEW, 4 core radiator, 180 degree T-Stat, Electric Cooling fan for a Big Block, water wetter additive, and yesterday driving in the hills it got up to 245 degrees,... check engine light came on, I'm Stumpped, Ideas? 1994 XLT, Auto,

 

[fixxxer]

Weak waterpump? Air in the system? Is your temp gauge reading accurately? Check the codes, even if the cel is off now, it had to have stored a code if the cel came on, even if only briefly.
Is your new electric cooling fan working? What temp does it kick on or does the fan run constantly?

 

[Turdle]

Hmm
You might rev the engine when it is very warm, see if the lower radiator hose is collapsing under the suction of the water pump?

 

[YBCold]

internal leak? bad radiator cap thats not holdin pressure?

 

[Brian1]

Does your electric fan have a shroud so it is pulling air through the whole radiator?

 

[justchecking]

Is your new thermostat bad? Happened to me.

 

[javiscancino]

this thread is like saying,. i have a problem with my truck, can you help me,

ha, so,. need to give more info,. there are many things that can cause overheating problems,. what other symptoms, any noise, something else, what have you done, what have you find, we have had from air pockets, to faulty new water pump,. so, anything can cause that,. good luck.

 

[fordmanfox]

fan comes on at 180, Tstat, is 180, i went home and reinstalled the fan schroud, hollowed out the two plugged cats and am getting another fan, one as a pussher and one as a puller, both 14" Hayden performance, the water pump is brand new, allong with the hoses, Did a gas test on the coolant and did not detect any combuston gasses, hopefull the hollowed cats, addition of another fan, and schroud will fix this issue. I'll be pulling the codes tonight

 

[nitro71]

Have you tried a after market temp gauge? Maybe it's not really overheating?

 

[Maniak]

AFAIK, no one has been able to get an electric fan to keep a 1st Gen cool.. At least not in Arizona Heat..

If someone knows of a sucessful conversion, please post the link.. I haven't been able to find one..

It seems, most electric fans aren't pulling enough air + getting the shroud right (which I see your already working on).

Also, if it runs "normal" temp when "cruising" along the highway, but not when driving around town then its not getting enough airflow. Hills are another story as they combine city and highway driving, making it harder to figure out whats going on.

~Mark

 

[fordmanfox]

Already have an aftermarket gauge pack in the truck, All mechanical, Water, Oil And Vac.

 

[jungleryan00]

Try putting in a 195 degree thermostat. If your coolant temp is too low it will through the code.

 

[manningzac]

check the oil if you have water in there it could be a headgasket. thats what was wrong with mine.

 

[99offroad]

Put on a mech. fan. I run into that same problem. Elec. fans suck for Florida heat too!

 

[fordmanfox]

ok well i think i got it under control,... reinstalled the fan schroud, mounted one 16" fan in front... a 16" in the back and removed the T-stat completely,.. no water in oil... truck is running at 170-180. i would use a Mechanical fan, however the radiator that i have is too thick to accomidate one, i have 4 inches between the Rad and the water pump pully.

 

[doonze]

ok well i think i got it under control,... reinstalled the fan schroud, mounted one 16" fan in front... a 16" in the back and removed the T-stat completely,.. no water in oil... truck is running at 170-180. i would use a Mechanical fan, however the radiator that i have is too thick to accomidate one, i have 4 inches between the Rad and the water pump pully.

Blows my mind that you have been having cooling trouble with a radiator that has that much surface area. If anything you should have trouble reaching operating temp, and that seems true once you pulled the thermostat.... are you going to try a different thermostat? Maybe that one was bad?

 

[Freshmeat]

You need a thermostat. Find out what is stock temp and use it. Probably 195*. Otherwise your computer will keep dumping fuel trying to get it up to temp.

 

[doonze]

You need a thermostat. Find out what is stock temp and use it. Probably 195*. Otherwise your computer will keep dumping fuel trying to get it up to temp.

I think I've read our stock temp is 190* for the thermostat, however is seems the only place you can get them is from Ford, for like $20, the auto part stores all sell us 198* thermostats, because that seems to be what they have. Auto Zone at least had about 4 198* stats, and then 180* and 160* stats. That was it. No 195* or 190*. I've been thinking about grabbing another stock stat from Ford if I replace my AZ $4.99 cheapy. Just to see if I can notice the 8*'s, LOL.

 

[fordmanfox]

Its been 80 degrees here and even with no T-stat i can get it up to 200 with the AC on, 190 without,... even in the morning i reach 180. does not make much sense.

 

[rileyrs]

is your water pump working right? it just sounds like the coolant isnt flowing. is
there is clearly something wrong that it runs that hot.

get a coolant tester, i got one at napa for $2.00, it will tell you if the coolant is able to functionally cool the truck.
if that doesnt work, make sure the cap can hold pressure.
then try to check the pump and make sure coolant is flowing.
put in a stock stat, its 195.