Need Help
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New User
Joined: Oct 2013
Posts: 11
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From: Lewiston ,ID
Need Help
I have a 97 Expedition XLT 5.4L and even on first starts of the morning my temp gage is maxed out hot, I replaced the thermostat today and it had no effect.. What is doing this? I can even feel the engine and it can be 50degrees in the morning and the truck will still read out that it is overheating. I know its not a cracked head or block because it would read normal if not cold before started and only overheat after it has ran for a second. Could this be a sensor? and if it is how do I replace it?. 
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Joined: May 2013
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Welcome to the site! I hope you'll find good info here for your problem soon.
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Call me direct: 1-800-246-8132
Visit our Blog: http://www.torklift.com/blog
The Southernmost Mod
Joined: Dec 2004
Posts: 6,902
Likes: 20
From: Caracas, Venezuela
Hey Dennis, I'm sorry I didn't catch this earlier, I would have moved it somewhere where you could find more help, anyway I'll be moving this to the Expy chapter, oh, and welcome to FTE! have fun!.
Thread Starter
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New User
Joined: Oct 2013
Posts: 11
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From: Lewiston ,ID
Wiring maybe?
Ive replaced the thermostat and the temp sending unit with no avail, Im still reading overheated all the time but the engine is usually at normal operating temp 180-195 so what in the world could this be?
The Southernmost Mod
Joined: Dec 2004
Posts: 6,902
Likes: 20
From: Caracas, Venezuela
It's probably a bad sending unit giving a wrong signal, but just for good measure you could check the head gasket and the coolant and engine oil, if there seems to be any mixed with the other that should point at a blown head gasket, are you losing any coolant?.
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New User
Joined: Oct 2013
Posts: 11
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From: Lewiston ,ID
There is no oil or water being consumed by the truck, and they are still what they are supposed to be oil is pure and antifreeze is pure.. Maybe its a wiring issue?
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Elder User
Joined: Mar 2011
Posts: 817
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Could have an air pocket in your cooling system, Turn it on when its cold with the cap off for 5-10 min hopefully that solves it.
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Thread Starter
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New User
Joined: Oct 2013
Posts: 11
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From: Lewiston ,ID
I have burped the cooling system, Replaced the thermostat, replaced the water temp sensor, checked the oil and coolant which are both still pure, have great compression.. Any other ideas are more than welcome and a thank you to 5.4T for the cooling system burping idea.
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New User
Joined: Oct 2013
Posts: 11
Likes: 0
From: Lewiston ,ID
im not understanding how a fan clutch can cause a false reading on the water temp gauge... The fans work fine, even if it is 39outside and the truck has been sitting all night, before its started but with the ignition in the on position the gauge maxxes out immediately without the engine even running
The Southernmost Mod
Joined: Dec 2004
Posts: 6,902
Likes: 20
From: Caracas, Venezuela
Maybe it's not a false reading and the temperature is rising up because the fan clutch isn't working like it should (they lose their efectiveness overtime), has it ever been replaced?.