Totally Stumped

[Racer38]

Ok I had the infamous radiator leak, so rather than replace the radiator I used some stop leak, which cured the leak. But now my clutch fan keeps kicking in at random times. I thought maybe the stop leak may have created the problem so I flushed and refilled, but same thing. Then I noticed the temp guage going to full hot then coming back down, so I am replacing the thermostat. But the clutch fan thing is a real pain in the butt as it doesnt matter how fast or slow or what the temp guage is reading.

Any ideas ????

 

[06EBV8]

That stop leak stuff is actually pretty bad for the cooling system. I've seen cars with plugged heater cores, coolant passages and radiators as a result of using stop leak-it has a sand type of additive in it which plugs leaks.

I'll assume you have a V6-the clutch fan is electrically controlled based on several things with the main one being coolant temp. I suspect either the sensor is contaminated or the engine is actually overheating...Is the gauge just going wacky or do you think the engine is actually overheating?

 

[Racer38]

Yes its the V6 .. The engine isnt really over heating, the guage will climb up and up then then drop down to where it should be. Thats why I am replacing the thermostat. I also ordered a new radiator and will flush the system again with some radiator flush before replacing the radiator and thermostat.

Any idea where the temp sensor that controls the fan is located on the engine? I might need to pull that and clean it was well.

Thanks

Craig

 

[06EBV8]

It appears you may have 2 coolant sensors-one for the engine ECM and one for the gauge. I have access to online manuals through work but the pictures are bad and they only show one sensor-that one appears to be screwed into a coolant passage near or on the intake manifold beside the coil pack. The other one is probably screwed into one of the cylinder heads. My truck is a V8 so I can't compare it to yours. Hopefully someone else here can help out.

The thermostat most likely won't cause the gauge to swing up/down or cause the engine to overheat and then cool down again, usually it goes one way (open or closed) and stays there, although if you're replacing the rad it's always a good idea to replace the thermostat as well.

Keep us up to date on what happens and what you find, I'm kind of interested in how this works out. Thanks and good luck. Also be sure to flush the rear heater core and hoses if you have aux. air.

 

[Racer38]

The reason I am doing the thermostat is that the guage only pegs out when I first start it, so if its sticking before it opens that would account for the guage pegging out.

I'll try to track down the sensors, most likely its the one for the ecm that is causing the fan to kick in, it did pretty well yesterday until I almost got home then at slow speed it kicked in ..

Pretty strange problem, I should have the new Rad middle of next week and I'll let ya know how it all turns out..

 

[dothedeww]

my fan started going fasst then slow and got hot then cold and 1 week later a puddle of antifreeze in the driveway...seems to be one of the first symptoms ofthe radiator going.

 

[Racer38]

How big of a job is replacing the radiator ? I heard that the AC condensor also has to come out with the radiator, I hope thats not the case.

 

[dothedeww]

I didn't remove my condenser with my radiator. took about 3 hours to do by myself, hardest part was removing the transmission cooling lines and trying to lose as little fluid as psosible, since we cant refill it. Its pretty easy to do, just takes a lot of wiggling it around to get it out.

 

[Racer38]

Ok repairs are done, just finished the Radiator install, and with some finess you dont have to take out the condenser. New Thermostat, flushed the entire system, fresh fluid. Replaced the only Temp Sensor the Ford parts guy could find and its right next to the thermostat.

Seem to be acting fine so far, I'll post after a week and see how its doing.

The Radiator was CHEAP .. Its from China but it cant be any worse than the Ford unit. Got it from Pro Radiators off e-bay for $78.95 plus shipping so a total of $112 and change ...