wierd overheating issue

[Mikelso]

First off I have a 1997 Ford Explorer 4.0ltr automatic 2wd. Just hit 204k miles on her, factory motor and tranny.

Anyhow, I noticed the other day that I was getting much warmer than normal so I stopped and checked the fluid, which was normal. Then it progressively started getting worse but figured out if I was driving and it started to rapidly move towards the H I could accelerate past 2,000 RPM and the truck would immediately cool down for a minute, and then start overheating again. After limping it home this way I was sold that the Fan Clutch had gone out. I replaced it today and on my trial run coolant bubbled out of my reserve tank and overheated my truck. I didn't even try to accelerate to cool it off just let it sit for a while until I could get it home safely. Any suggestions as to what the issue could be? I'm sure I'm just overlooking something restarted. However, my oil has good consistency, water pump is not getting any leakage or showing signs of death, and both top and bottom hoses are piping hot when I pulled over today.

Thanks for any help, its greatly appreciated.

Mike Kelso

 

[alohamonte]

if the hoses arent hot then the water isnt circulating, you need to change the thermstat which is a very basic and easy fix... will take you 20 mins. i'd also do a coolant flush since you have high miles.