Hey all,

My truck is running cool. The needle sits on the first line of the normal range, so the gauge does move.

Here are some things I've done to the coolant system:

New upper and lower hoses.
New radiator and cap.
New thermostat.
Flushed and filled.

The heater blows warm, but not exceptionally hot. The upper hose doesn't get firm, even after running for a while. Neither does the lower hose. The lower hose remains cool. The upper hose gets warm, but not too hot. The radiator gets warm, but not too hot. The radiator cap remains cool. When I remove the radiator cap, even after running a while, there is little to no pressure release. My heater lines are hot.

So, am I looking at needing a new thermostat or a new water pump?

 

tstat's what ya need. Although mine always ran cool even after changing tstats, not to the extent you describe but the gauge never read past the "n" on normal, even with cardboard over the radiator for winter.

 

Did you get a 195 T-stat or a 180?

 

That was my next question actually. I can't remember which temp I got. Pretty sure I went back with what Autozone showed as "stock."

 

I think stock is 195, so that *should* be what they gave you. My truck with a 180 T-stat never would run warm enough to run the heat very strong in the winter. I still think the T-stat is probably your problem though, that's really the only component that can make it run too cold. I've had the same problem in a Crown vic of mine where the thermostat broke into two pieces and was just functioning fully open all the time.

 

I'll run with a 195, then. Also, I'm beginning to suspect my fan clutch. I think the fan turns at all times. I'm curious to see how if she still smokes once she gets properly warmed up. Bet she will, but here's hoping!

 

I would suspect the thermostat too. Get a 195 Motorcraft one instead of an A'zone one.

Can you hear the fan spinning all the time? Check to see if your fan can be rotated by hand with minimal effort. If so, the fan clutch isn't stuck.

Are you sure its running too cool? Whats the temp gauge read?

 

I agree with texasguy. Replace any OEM brand t-stat with genuine manufacturer part. Just replaced a junk t-stat from parts house with correct t-stat from Mopar @ $30, but it's not worth my time to change again when another, "Certified" mechanic replaced it with a $10 one. Also as texasguy stated, check the operation of the fan clutch to eliminate it as the problem as well.

 

Not to hijack but since we are on the topic.. I flushed the system last Saturday. Is it possible there is still air in the system? When I check it it seems low, and all the coolant in the reservoir is gone too. It also gets to the middle of the N in normal.

 

Very good possibility. I always keep extra coolant around after a flush and fill, or anything involved with draining the coolant, as this allows air back into a once sealed system.

 

^ +1
I had to top off my overflow tank every day for like a week of driving and it finally stoped getting low after all the air got worked out while driving.

 

I busted a hose 3 months back driving and drained my coolant system that way..just put water in it last saturday. It threw fits at me for at least two weeks after I replaced that hose.. It was never satisfied about its level.. It either sucked it all up and I put some more in the reservoir and then when I learned it and went to do something and I come back with water all over the ground.. I opened the hood and found the cap off with water all over the tank. Its just been sucking it in now, hadn't throw it back out.

 

Good news. It finally found its happy spot on coolant. There was still some left in the reservoir. Bad news.. Hit a ditch and the radiator is leaking somewhere.

 

Got a new thermostat from Ford. They show stock as 192. Going to test the fan clutch today and put in the thermostat if there's time.

 

All,

I just checked and my fan is spinning the moment the motor starts turning. I can turn it by hand with the motor off, but it won't freewheel, ie it will stop spinning if I'm not actively turning it.

Is my fan clutch bad? And if so, am I smarter just hauling off and replacing the water pump while I'm at it?