Well Finally!!

[J's Eddie]

Hey Guys and Gals!!
I've been "viewing" this site for a few years now, have used some of the VERY helpful tips from some of you "long-time" Ford owners (sorry, I've grown up a "GM" guy). Finally got a rainy day to take the time an actually join. I have only Fords now by the way. Been driving a 93 Explorer for ....... I don't know, FOREVER! Got an awesome deal on it while actually looking for a 4x4 Blazer.... now I wonder why I didn't shop the Explorers first.... anyhow, I've got to head to the school pickup lines, I'll be back on tonight tho :exp:

 

[J's Eddie]

Got a coolant problem "stumping" me.... coolant is getting "forced" into overflow tank, not running hot... rarely even makes it to the "N" in Normal, no signs of leaks.... have to "drain" about 1/2 gallon from overflow and pour back into radiator daily (about 60 miles a day) I'll give more info later.... gotta go now

 

[1AJeremyD]

Welcome to the forum! You might want to try and do a pressure test to see if you have a leak. These trucks were known for intake leaks.

 

[J's Eddie]

Thanks, yeah about the intake leak..... ok in the past 4 months, all due to bursted radiator initially:
Radiator, Intake Gaskets (added Bars leaks "liquid copper" reluctantly for "insurance"), 2 different thermostats (finally pulled stat and used a "restriction washer"), 2 different radiator caps. Radiator bursted at an "in-opportune" time and I opted to "try and make it home". One month later, I'm replacing intake gaskets. Absolutly no problems for nearly 3 months, one day in the dreaded "school pickup line" I looked down and saw my temp guage ALMOST at "H", thats when I noticed my cooling fan switch was "mysteriously" turned off (yes, I have nosey kids), turned it on and in a couple minutes, all is well. After the "I almost ran it hot" incident, I had to top off radiator with maybe 1/3 gallon of coolant. Since that "episode" I have coolant "dumping" into my overflow tank little by little (1 qt. to 1/2 gallon in approx 75-100 miles). Not actually losing any coolant unless I go too long without "draining" tank and pouring it into radiator. My 1st thought was new cap (tried 2 different new ones, plus swapped around with some vehicles at work to make sure I wasn't crazy), bypassed my heater core for a week thinking maybe a blockage, flushed radiator twice since adding the Bars leaks (the quick stuff because it gets flushed about once a year already). I'm almost womdering if I should remove my "restriction washer" and fo back with a thermostat, but I have no signs of overheating, in fact the opposite.... to me everything points to a cap not holding pressure, but Ford shows to use 13 lb and its had 5 or 6 different ones on it with 2 of them being brand new (Advance and NAPA) ??????? I'm just a little puzzled, but confident its some litlle something I have over-looked.

 

[BrooklynBay]

Welcome to this forum! Install the correct temperature range thermostat in the correct direction.

 

[J's Eddie]

Yeah, I put a good quality, oe temp t stat in .... appears to have corrected problem. I was caught off guard that the problem didn't show imediately, but oh well.

Thanks guys!!

 

[BrooklynBay]

Thanks for the update! It sounded like it was the thermostat.