Keeping Cool
Postmaster
Joined: Jan 2013
Posts: 3,512
Likes: 3
From: Panama City
Could be the truck isnt really running hot. My temp gauge on bronco showed me running above normal last year but she never lost any coolant.I changed antifreeze,flushed system, and added a quart of the purple stuff. I put a mechanical gauge on and when factory gauge showed above normal the mech gauge showed I was running at 190-195.Now I honestly think she is running too cool for optimum atomization of fuel. In the summer time when it is 90-95 she only gets to around 200 in stop and go. Winter time she rarely gets around 185. I am planning on draining some coolant and adding water. Just havent done it yet.
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Senior User
Joined: Dec 2013
Posts: 130
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Could be the truck isnt really running hot
So I pulled the water outlet, to look at the thermostat, and partially to my surprise, I had no thermostat. Not really an issue here, as it never gets super cold.
However, under the water neck, i found this in the tube/pipe inside the block.
It looks to be a plug of some sort?
I also found what looks like gobs of coal, or some serious carbon deposits attached to bits under the water neck.
So, I think the first thing i'm going to do is a serious radiator flush. Clean water goes in, comes out looking like weak coffee
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Senior User
Joined: Dec 2013
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That's what my boss thought as well, the bottom, "plug" end is about 3/8" in diameter and about two inches in length.
as for clearing out the crud in there, aside from flushing it out with water, is there any additives i could use to help dissolve all that without hurting my engine?
as for clearing out the crud in there, aside from flushing it out with water, is there any additives i could use to help dissolve all that without hurting my engine?
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Post Fiend
Joined: Sep 2006
Posts: 14,325
Likes: 14
From: Island Southeast Alaska
I have had great luck with Napa engine/coolant flush. Follow the directions to a T. Do it a couple of times after first flushing with as hot of water as possible.
I have also used a commercial acid base flush designed for big diesels and heavy equipment. Prolly get it at a truck and tractor supply.
As it is acid it works very well but again ya best read the
directions as it can and will eat soft parts if left to long or not properly diluted.
I have also used a commercial acid base flush designed for big diesels and heavy equipment. Prolly get it at a truck and tractor supply.
As it is acid it works very well but again ya best read the
directions as it can and will eat soft parts if left to long or not properly diluted.
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Senior User
Joined: Dec 2013
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Update:
I grabbed some bar stop 10 minute radiator flush, about the only thing auto zone had on the shelf, Flushed the engine, on draining it came out looking like watery chocolate milk, had been draining clear, so it got some stuff broke loose. put in a new thermostat and gasket, I'll drive her around for a while before work and try and get it to heat up.
I grabbed some bar stop 10 minute radiator flush, about the only thing auto zone had on the shelf, Flushed the engine, on draining it came out looking like watery chocolate milk, had been draining clear, so it got some stuff broke loose. put in a new thermostat and gasket, I'll drive her around for a while before work and try and get it to heat up.
Post Fiend
Joined: Sep 2006
Posts: 14,325
Likes: 14
From: Island Southeast Alaska
Generally after running it some I would flush it again. If yer in a cold climate that can get spendy. As ya can't leave just clean water in it if it may freeze.
But I always flush it several times until after running it the water comes out clean. Than put coolant back in and yer
good until ya do it again next year. It's good to flush the cooling system once a year or
every other oil change IMO.
But I always flush it several times until after running it the water comes out clean. Than put coolant back in and yer
good until ya do it again next year. It's good to flush the cooling system once a year or
every other oil change IMO.
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Senior User
Joined: Dec 2013
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Yeah cold isn't something I have to worry about. Our lowest temperature is the low to mid 50's in December. It's already shorts and flip flop weather.
Truck seems to run better now. If I were just driving around before, the temp gauge would sit at just below the "C" and wouldn't move until it was ready to boil over. Now after a few minutes, it builds to the bottom line of the normal range. I'm definitely keeping an eye on it the next few days.
If I can source one, a mark viii fan is in the future, though. My chevy equinox fans (found a tag on the bottom of them) only cover half the radiator.
Truck seems to run better now. If I were just driving around before, the temp gauge would sit at just below the "C" and wouldn't move until it was ready to boil over. Now after a few minutes, it builds to the bottom line of the normal range. I'm definitely keeping an eye on it the next few days.
If I can source one, a mark viii fan is in the future, though. My chevy equinox fans (found a tag on the bottom of them) only cover half the radiator.
Postmaster
Joined: Sep 2013
Posts: 2,595
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From: Pasadena, Ca