overheating

[tmbfi]

The other night i was driving through the parkway with my lady friend when we decided to stop for a few minutes. Because it was snowing and about 30 degrees i left the car idling. After about ten minutes i noticed steam rising from the hood and my temp guage was pegged all the way to H. I shut down the car, threw some bottled water in the reservoir and drove off after about five minutes, with no further problems.

I just changed the engine cooling fan on my '92 Explorer and flushed the cooling system about two months ago. Any ideas on why it overheated? I also noticed that occasionally the rpm will kick up to over 2000 in park or neutral after i drive it for a while, although i dont believe this problem is related.

 

[Alec]

It's most likely either a bad thermostat or your fan clutch. Sounds more like the fan clutch to me.

 

[TPLYNCH]

Originally posted by tmbfi
I also noticed that occasionally the rpm will kick up to over 2000 in park or neutral after i drive it for a while, although i dont believe this problem is related.

The engine will do this if it is starting to overheat to try and cool off. So I think it is related. Start w/ the thermostat and the fan clutch. If they check out, then it may be the water pump.

 

[mrboyle]

Replace the thermostat!

 

[POSex92]

The rpm kickup is definately related. I had and overheating problem and everytime it started to get hot the rpm's kicked way up like that.

 

[Bottomlesspit]

As already suggested, you will need to check each of the cooling system componenets.
Check the radiator cap for proper pressure hold, water pump to circulate the fluids, thermostat to regulate the coolant flow, and reservoir and hoses for leaks. One last thing to consider would be clogging in the lines or engine...but hopefully not since you said you flushed the system recently.
Good luck and let us know what you find out.
I just replaced my thermostat today because I could not get the engine to run hot enough??!! Go figure! It works great now...plenty of heat.
Ken

 

[FourXFred]

i bet its your thermostat, mine did the same thing to me a few times. its only a few bucks, and not hard to replace.