While driving my 1989 ford e350 7.5L C6 to north Carolina from
Missouri pulling a fully loaded 6x10 trailer, 5 passengers, and AC full blast the van over heated about two hours out spewing the coolant and steam out of the overflow hose (no reservor). I pulled over and the van was idling too high and I lost almost all of my coolant so I turned it off and carefully removed the cap to put water from a hose in it. I shot my thermostate housing with a laser temp sensor and it read 240f deg. I also shot my oil pan and it was only 198f. We filled it up and drove it a couple miles to orielly's. I Installed a new clutch fan thermostate and wired in an electric temp sensor ( my old one was shot). Since then the temp stays around 200 as long as I'm under 55mph and if I go 60-65 it jumps up to 230-35. Well we made it to NC played the AG youth camp and while driving around town here without the trailer the van stayes at 198 even with the ac on but as soon as I park it it burps coolant out of the overflow hose. I've already had to add another gallon. We're leaving tomorrow and are worried it will over heat again. Does anyone know what is casing it to over heat and burp fluid? Thank you so much for any help.
-Dustin

 

what condition was the old coolant in? could be plugged rad or weak water pump

 

You need to get a reservoir back on there, it WILL NEVER stay full of coolant without one!!!

 

The old coolant was fine just a little dirty. It never had a coolant resevoir. I'm not sure but I don't think the radiator is clogged. How hot is too hot for a 460? Is it safe to drive 20 hours at 230f?

 

Sounds like you have a trapped air pocket somewhere. As mentioned, you need to have a reservoir on there somehow, otherwise air will keep getting into the system. Even a simple 2L soda bottle with the hose going to within 1" of the bottom will work. Also, did you replace the radiator cap as cheap insurance? Pressure raises the boiling point (along with the proper water to coolant ratio) helping the system work more efficiently.

 

2x on the coolant resevoir and new rad cap. Been there done that......


The good ole 2L soda bottle works really good in a pinch. Also look down into the radiator and see how much crud is built up plugging the water vanes. Probly good time to do a flush before the big drive back.

 

Thank you, I replaced the radiator cap. It was a 13# so that's what I put back on it. I made a reservoir out of a gallon of distilled water half full. Were heade back and so far it's been staying around 210f. So I'm praying your diagnosis was correct. Also there was a little foam in the radiator last time I topped it off.
-Dustin