Overheating Issues can’t get it solved

[mjlt23]

My 09 Explorer 4.0 temp spiked up almost to the red driving up a hill on a 90 degree day. When I got home I could hear a bubbling noise when I opened the hood. I’ve done the following things to it to try and get it fixed with no luck yet. Any Ideas would be appreciated.

New thermostat/housing

New fan clutch motor

New radiator cap

Coolant flush

Inspected top and bottom Radiator hoses-looked good no gunk seen

Cleaned fins on radiator

Had flow tested on water pump-mechanic said it tested good

Had test done to see if gases were escaping into coolant from head gasket-test came back negative

When I run the heater it does help to keep it cooler but, it will run hot after an hour of driving


The mechanic I’m taking it to seems to be stumped and so am I. It has a 175k on it and I don’t want to continue to just throw parts at it.

Thanks mj

 

[Turdle]

Thread moved to the stock 2006 2010 sub forum

When heater hoses are old, they can collapse when hot. Especially when the water pump is really pumping water through the radiator. This is exactly what your problem sounds like
Squeeze the upper and lower hoses, it should take a lot of effort to collapse them by hand. check the entire length, feel for anything non uniform.

Or, the radiator could be clogged, even after a flush it could have a lot of crud in the lower tubes.

 

[vipersinu2]

Maybe the new thermostat is faulty or installed incorrectly.
remove thermostat and test drive truck and see if it still getting hot.
If you still hear bubbling, see if you can get a radiator cap that is just a cap without a spring on the bottom of cap, run the truck for a test ride and see if the coolant blows out of the overflow hose when hot, the radiator will suck back in the coolant when pressure goes down. maybe you are getting exhaust gas in coolant. when the coolant is cool on your first start of the day. Open the cap and watch for any bubbling in the coolant. "dont try this when the truck is hot"

Maybe your gauge on the dash is faulty, they have radiator caps with thermometer built into the cap. But if your hearing the bubbling most likely engine is hot.

Once I had a Crane that was doing the same thing over heating, 2 engines later and even Ford Truck Dealer missed the issue and rebuilt the rebuilt engine. I finally found out it was the "radiator". The radiator shop said it was good Ford said it was good, Drove me nuts figuring out what was wrong, But a new radiator and the crane never overheated again in 12 years.

 

[mjlt23]

Thanks for the replies....I'll check the hoses. I had the gauge checked and its operating normally.

 

[vipersinu2]

Thinking about this I forgot about the electrolysis problem the these radiators.

Read up on electrolysis with these trucks.

 

[JJ FORD]

Thanks for the replies....I'll check the hoses. I had the gauge checked and its operating normally.

cant remove thermostat and drive it will get hot under load I had same problem after replacing stat come to find out the after market stats are flat on bottom oem are rounded thus under load the aftermarket flat stat wouldnt seal and allow coolant to stay in radiator long enough to cool go to ford get motorcraft stat problem solved

 

[07EddyB]

The thermostat doesn't close to hold coolant in the radiator until it cools - it closes to keep water from circulating when the engine is cold so it will warm up. If it doesn't do this, the engine looses efficiency by not coming up to normal operating temperature quickly. Beyond that, and of course the winter time, a thermostat is useless and is not needed. Having one that stays open or lets water past when closed does not cause an engine to overheat. Not getting all of the air out of the system after replacing the thermostat is what causes it to overheat.

 

[vipersinu2]

So you fixed it? Was it the new thermostat causing the issue?

 

[JJ FORD]

The thermostat doesn't close to hold coolant in the radiator until it cools - it closes to keep water from circulating when the engine is cold so it will warm up. If it doesn't do this, the engine looses efficiency by not coming up to normal operating temperature quickly. Beyond that, and of course the winter time, a thermostat is useless and is not needed. Having one that stays open or lets water past when closed does not cause an engine to overheat. Not getting all of the air out of the system after replacing the thermostat is what causes it to overheat.

lol really so u one them rednecks just get rid of stat yea,well sir first its in motor to keep at certain operating temp.if you do not have a stat motor will never come up to temp and will remain in warm up mode increased fuel and timing which will then build carbon we are in 21st century with pcm/componet controlled motors second bullshit thats one this stat is a two way valve top and bottom third i had it happen to me but what do i know im only a master tech with 35 years exp

 

[07EddyB]

cant remove thermostat and drive it will get hot under load

if you do not have a stat motor will never come up to temp

I never said to leave the thermostat out - just that running without one will not cause the engine to overheat as you said in your first post. I run a thermostat - it's a necessary part.
As for your posts, apparently you actually agree with me because your second post directly contradicts what you said in your first post?