Hello and first of all thanks for any help you might be able to give me. I recently got back from Europe and got my Explorer back from my sister who had been using it. She explained it was having some issues and the thermostat had been replaced recently. Well, the explorer was running okay (except for some exhaust smoke when warming up) until yesterday. I stopped getting any heat and the car would overheat. So, I came online and saw that I should take off the radiator cap and run the car to see if there was any coolant moving through the radiator. I couldn't tell if there was any movement but when I replaced the radiator cap the engine started to overheat but then I started getting heat and the temp returned to normal. However, upon inspection the top hose leading to the engine block is almost collapsed on itself. While I can drive the car now with out it overheating I also realize there is some problem that needs fixed. I would appreciate any input on which course of action I should take.

PS. I am not sure if it is important to the problem but, the smoke coming from the exhaust is thick and doesn't dissapate. I think I read that this could indicate coolant leaking into the engine. Thanks again for any inpput. It is greatly appreciated.

 

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I'd replace the cap as a precaution. Do the thermostat again.

You can confirm the old one by putting in a pan of water, heat it up and see when it opens.

I replaced mine in my mountaineer over my lunch hour about a year ago.

 

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I think the collapsed upper hose is a tell tale sign. This can be caused by a defective radiator cap or clogged overflow hose. As already suggested, replace the cap and check the overflow line.

 

As to thick exhaust, if anti-freeze were leaking into the engine, a careful, quick sniff of the exhaust should smell like anti-freeze.