Overheating, not radiator/coolant related!!!!

[bigred93explrer]

The past two days the explorer has been getting pretty hot. I have recently replaced thermostat, radiator cap, adn full coolant flush and refill and it doesnt seem at all related to any of those. So tonight I just got home and it was running quite hot and I got out and looked underneath and the rear cat is BRIGHT orange like a stove burner when hot. I have never noticed this before and it just doesnt seem right. The exhaust also has a weird tone to it when the ex is running hot, so it seems like it may be cat/exhaust related. Anyone have any ideas?

 

[mabulok]

Did something climb up into your exhaust pipe and die? Or maybe your water pump is going south...also could be a clogged coolant line.

 

[Blee1099]

Test the thermostat & cap.. You can test the thermostat by putting it in boiling water.. it should expand for you in hot water and when it starts to cool, it should contract. You can get a cap tester at your local parts store.

 

[bigred93explrer]

the cap is brand new i just got it. The t-stat is only about a month old and it doesnt seem like an issue. The upper radiator hose is hot so i know it isnt stuck closed or anything and I dont have the cold fill resorvoir filling up and boiling over or anything.

 

[DMan446]

Ok, if the exhaust parts are glowing red, then there is a clog in the exhaust system. The cat itself is probably breaking down and plugging the exhaust. You could pull the cat down and look inside to see if it looks all melted or has a lot of pits in it. You will have to look in it from the engine side. If its plugged, you can either gut it or buy a racing pipe. Depending on smog laws in your area.

 

[twomedicine]

red hot

I remember a time when a friend of mine had been busting snow drifts in his Silverado 4x4 and pulled into the parking lot with a glowing orange-red hot exhaust . It was due to the powder snow packed up into the engine compartment and into the air intake.

Maybe checking the air inlets might turn up something, maybe a dead bird or something

 

[bigred93explrer]

btt. Anyone think the cat(s)(there are 2 on a first gen right?) may need replacing?

 

[DeRocha]

Cats don't last forever. Their job is to get hot and burn off any gases that make it out of the engine. If the Cat is getting VERY hot as you indicate then it is indeed either plugged, or getting HOT due to your engine dumping in a lot of unburnt fuel.

An overly rich mixture from a fouled spark plug or shorted plug wire can cause "melt down" - when the catalyst melts and breaks up. The pieces can then block the exhaust system and cause high speed power loss, stalling after start-up etc..

To Test the Converter...Run the engine for a few minutes above 2500rpm to warm up the converted. Connect a vacuum gauge to a manifold vacuum source on the motor and rev the engine to 2500 rpm. The vacuum gauge should drop momentarily and then return to normal. If it drops and does not return, then the converter may be damaged.

If your car is running overly rich you need to correct it before replacing the CAT; otherwise you'll just ruin the new CAT

 

[bigred93explrer]

Thanks for that info. I will check that and see. I have a feeling it is running rich because I have noticed a drop in MPG and also some weird smells and some black stuff around the exhaust pipe tip. I also need to see about getting new plugs and wires and then I will see about replacing the cat.

 

[bigred93explrer]

what is the average cost of a new cat( i dont need anything fancy) and install? or Is this something that I can do myself somewhat simply?

 

[bigred93explrer]

Ok i just got home from a place called MBS(muffler and brake specialists or MAJOR BULL ****). They wanted $550 to replace the cat(s). Supposidly there are 2 cats and togehter they are $440 and then labor. Is there a reason I cant get a used one from a junkyard or something like that. Are they hard to install?

 

[DMan446]

It shouldnt be too hard to replace/install. Have you pulled it down yet to see if its plugged. Before you spend $$$$ to get it fixed, check it for yourself that way they cant feed you lines of ****.

 

[bigred93explrer]

I was going to take off the cats today when I got home to take a look at them, got the ex jacked up and on stands for a little more room, got the air tools out and guess what, I have every size socket except the one I need. It is a 15mm nut and I could find my 14mm and 16mm but my 15mm magically dissapeared and I cant find it anywhere. So now I am just ranting because I have to go tomorrow and spend $10 on a new deep socket 15mm 1/2" drive socket so I can even LOOK at the cats. what a pain. At least I have my trusty '97 T-100 to roll around in for a few days.

 

[liqhx2]

i have been in your shoes it really sucks but it'll get done slowly but surly good luck on the cat's issue

 

[ve4ron]

I priced the cats for my 92 and from ford it was about $1500 Canadian

But Piston Ring could get a Walker exaust system which would bolt right in for about $267.00 Canadian .

Part number Walker 15737.

 

[bigred93explrer]

well I replaced the cat with one from a junk yard and the engine is running much cooler now, however the temp gauge is still climbing almost to the l on normal. When I open the hood the engine doesnt feel hot like it did before, in fact this is the coolest it has been in a long time. What can be causing the temp gauge to climb still? Should I replace the t-stat again even though it doesnt seem bad(upper radiator hose is hot).

 

[bigred93explrer]

ttt

 

[mabulok]

New thermostats are sometimes bad. You could try another one, being sure to test it with boiling water and a thermometer before you install it. If you don't have a thermometer it doesn't matter, water boils at about 180 deg F and the thermostat should open when the water boils. From there you can check the coolant temperature sensor.

 

[DeRocha]

New thermostats are sometimes bad. You could try another one, being sure to test it with boiling water and a thermometer before you install it. If you don't have a thermometer it doesn't matter, water boils at about 180 deg F and the thermostat should open when the water boils. From there you can check the coolant temperature sensor.

Like mabuloik states put the new T-stat in some water. If the T-state is rated for 190F then it sould open before you see the water start to boil (212F).

 

[DHB]

overheating

Have you checked fan clutch? replaced mine cured problem