gadourym
Member
- Joined
- October 20, 2010
- Messages
- 45
- Reaction score
- 0
- City, State
- Sterling, CT
- Year, Model & Trim Level
- 2012 XLT V6
I have a 2000 Explorer, 6 cy.
Yesterday, we took a day trip, about 200 miles from home. Just as we were starting our return trip, my truck overheated. We stopped for gas, and after letting it cool, I topped off the radiator, noticing that the level was low. We tried driving and there was smoke coming from the exhaust for a few seconds. As we headed home, we stopped several times to add water to the radiator (over a gallon each time). After driving for a short while, I discovered that the hose from the radiator to the overflow tank was clogged, and we were able to get that cleared. After the next stop, I noticed that the overflow tank was full and had actually blown the cap. It appears that it was pushing water to the overflow tank, but not pulling any back.
While driving, the temperature gauge ran on the high end most of the way, and tripped the check gauge light a few times, but not for very long. After a few seconds the temp woud go back down to the middle and then creep back up. It kept fluctuating for the whole ride home. Along the way, the check engine light came on (Cylinder 4 misfire), and at each stop, the engine was very difficult to start. Smoke from the exhaust for a few seconds, rough running, eventually smoothing out.
When I have some time later this week, I'm going to try pulling the thermostat and cleaning it out, and then I'll have the cooling system flushed (the antifreeze is virutally gone replaced with mostly tap water). After it's flushed, I'll put in a new thermostat.
I'm wondering if the rough running and misfires were due to the high temp of the engine. I'm afraid that there may be a head gasket issue. And that more damage was done on the drive home.
If I were closer to home, I would probably have had it home, but being 200 miles away with 3 other people, towing wasn't an option, and there are not many places open on a Sunday evening. It seemed to run better the last 60 or so miles after our last stop. I did make it home, but on the last half mile, the check gauge light came on and the temp went all the way up. When I pulled in the driveway and shut it off, I could hear the coolant overflowing.
If it is a head gasket, is it really worth fixing at this point, or should I just cut my losses and try to sell the truck. The body is in decent shape, and there are brand new tires and many new parts. It has 169,000 miles.
Any suggestions or thoughts are much appreciated!
Yesterday, we took a day trip, about 200 miles from home. Just as we were starting our return trip, my truck overheated. We stopped for gas, and after letting it cool, I topped off the radiator, noticing that the level was low. We tried driving and there was smoke coming from the exhaust for a few seconds. As we headed home, we stopped several times to add water to the radiator (over a gallon each time). After driving for a short while, I discovered that the hose from the radiator to the overflow tank was clogged, and we were able to get that cleared. After the next stop, I noticed that the overflow tank was full and had actually blown the cap. It appears that it was pushing water to the overflow tank, but not pulling any back.
While driving, the temperature gauge ran on the high end most of the way, and tripped the check gauge light a few times, but not for very long. After a few seconds the temp woud go back down to the middle and then creep back up. It kept fluctuating for the whole ride home. Along the way, the check engine light came on (Cylinder 4 misfire), and at each stop, the engine was very difficult to start. Smoke from the exhaust for a few seconds, rough running, eventually smoothing out.
When I have some time later this week, I'm going to try pulling the thermostat and cleaning it out, and then I'll have the cooling system flushed (the antifreeze is virutally gone replaced with mostly tap water). After it's flushed, I'll put in a new thermostat.
I'm wondering if the rough running and misfires were due to the high temp of the engine. I'm afraid that there may be a head gasket issue. And that more damage was done on the drive home.
If I were closer to home, I would probably have had it home, but being 200 miles away with 3 other people, towing wasn't an option, and there are not many places open on a Sunday evening. It seemed to run better the last 60 or so miles after our last stop. I did make it home, but on the last half mile, the check gauge light came on and the temp went all the way up. When I pulled in the driveway and shut it off, I could hear the coolant overflowing.
If it is a head gasket, is it really worth fixing at this point, or should I just cut my losses and try to sell the truck. The body is in decent shape, and there are brand new tires and many new parts. It has 169,000 miles.
Any suggestions or thoughts are much appreciated!
