Notices
Pre-Power Stroke Diesel (7.3L IDI & 6.9L) Diesel Topics Only

Overheating problem

Thread Tools
 
Search this Thread
 
Old Feb 23, 2016 | 09:09 PM
  #1  
86pullerf350's Avatar
86pullerf350
Thread Starter
|
Mountain Pass
Joined: Jun 2010
Posts: 186
Likes: 0
From: Dunbarton, NH
Overheating problem

My 94 f-250 Just started overheating today. Needle was buried in the red on the way home. When I got home I went to check the upper hose which was warm and had no pressure. I was thinking it may be the t-stat or the water pump. I took the radiator cap off and the radiator coolant level was about a half inch low. What do you guys think??

Thanks Bob
 
Reply
Old Feb 23, 2016 | 09:14 PM
  #2  
Macrobb's Avatar
Macrobb
Postmaster
Joined: Dec 2011
Posts: 3,860
Likes: 7
No pressure indicates a leak or failing radiator cap; I know I've had problems with crud keeping the radiator cap from sealing before.

Overheating, I'd probably replace the t-stat. Waterpumps don't usually fail that way; for the pump to break off would require shearing a 1/2" or so shaft.
 
Reply
Old Feb 24, 2016 | 05:26 AM
  #3  
Shawn MacAnanny's Avatar
Shawn MacAnanny
Elder User
Joined: Dec 2005
Posts: 776
Likes: 3
From: Felton, Delaware
My radiator cap had worn into the radiator filler neck and wasnt sealing but it never overheated.

Have you checked your oil to see if you have any coolant in it from a failing oil cooler?
 
Reply
Old Feb 24, 2016 | 07:11 AM
  #4  
tjc transport's Avatar
tjc transport
i ain't rite
Joined: Mar 2005
Posts: 65,443
Likes: 5,516
From: Marlboro Mental Hospital.
Club FTE Gold Member
was it overheating, or is the sensor bad?
 
Reply
Old Feb 24, 2016 | 07:38 AM
  #5  
86pullerf350's Avatar
86pullerf350
Thread Starter
|
Mountain Pass
Joined: Jun 2010
Posts: 186
Likes: 0
From: Dunbarton, NH
Thanks guys. I'll get a cap and t-stat today and start there. I'll let you know how I make out with them.
 
Reply
Old Feb 24, 2016 | 07:54 AM
  #6  
86pullerf350's Avatar
86pullerf350
Thread Starter
|
Mountain Pass
Joined: Jun 2010
Posts: 186
Likes: 0
From: Dunbarton, NH
Originally Posted by tjc transport
was it overheating, or is the sensor bad?
The idiot guage was buried in the red. I can try replacing the sender.
 
Reply
Old Feb 24, 2016 | 08:04 AM
  #7  
tjc transport's Avatar
tjc transport
i ain't rite
Joined: Mar 2005
Posts: 65,443
Likes: 5,516
From: Marlboro Mental Hospital.
Club FTE Gold Member
when i see the gauge read hot, i shoot the radiator and block with an infrared thermometer to see what is really going on.
 
Reply
Old Feb 24, 2016 | 02:23 PM
  #8  
86pullerf350's Avatar
86pullerf350
Thread Starter
|
Mountain Pass
Joined: Jun 2010
Posts: 186
Likes: 0
From: Dunbarton, NH
Originally Posted by tjc transport
when i see the gauge read hot, i shoot the radiator and block with an infrared thermometer to see what is really going on.
I don't have an infrared thermometer so I suppose I should look into getting one.
 
Reply
FTE Stories

Ford Trucks for Ford Truck Enthusiasts

story-0

Top 10 Ford Truck Tragedies

 Joe Kucinski
story-1

AEV FXL Super Duty - the Super Duty Raptor Ford Doesn't Make

 Brett Foote
story-2

Lobo Vs Lobo: Proof the F-150 Lobo Should Be Even Lower!

 Michael S. Palmer
story-3

Ford's 2001 Explorer Sportsman Concept Looks For a New Home

 Verdad Gallardo
story-4

10 Best Ford Truck Engines We Miss the Most!

 Joe Kucinski
story-5

2026 Shelby F-150 Off-Road: Better Than a Raptor R?

 Brett Foote
story-6

2027 Super Duty Carhartt Package First Look: 12 Things You NEED to Know!

 Michael S. Palmer
story-7

10 Most Surprising 2026 Ford Truck Features!

 Joe Kucinski
story-8

Top 10 Ford Trucks Coming to Mecum Indy 2026

 Brett Foote
story-9

5 Best / 5 Worst Ford Truck Wheels of All Time

 Joe Kucinski
Old Feb 25, 2016 | 05:44 PM
  #9  
hairyboxnoogle's Avatar
hairyboxnoogle
Lead Driver
Joined: Apr 2008
Posts: 6,938
Likes: 13
Did the check engine light come on? if not, my guess is bad sensor grounding out, especially if it wasnt boiling coolant.
 
Reply
Old Feb 25, 2016 | 06:07 PM
  #10  
86pullerf350's Avatar
86pullerf350
Thread Starter
|
Mountain Pass
Joined: Jun 2010
Posts: 186
Likes: 0
From: Dunbarton, NH
Originally Posted by hairyboxnoogle
Did the check engine light come on? if not, my guess is bad sensor grounding out, especially if it wasnt boiling coolant.
No it wasn't on. It's got a sender not sensor. Only 1 wire going to it.
 
Reply
Old Feb 25, 2016 | 06:42 PM
  #11  
hairyboxnoogle's Avatar
hairyboxnoogle
Lead Driver
Joined: Apr 2008
Posts: 6,938
Likes: 13
There are two different ones, at least on a 7.3. One is for the gauge, the other is for the check gauges / check engine light.
 
Reply
Old Feb 26, 2016 | 05:59 AM
  #12  
tjc transport's Avatar
tjc transport
i ain't rite
Joined: Mar 2005
Posts: 65,443
Likes: 5,516
From: Marlboro Mental Hospital.
Club FTE Gold Member
correct. the sensor on the driver side head is for the CEL. i don't remember where the gauge sensor is.
there are only two things that will set the CEL, low oil pressure, and high engine temperature.
 
Reply
Old Feb 28, 2016 | 12:55 PM
  #13  
Macrobb's Avatar
Macrobb
Postmaster
Joined: Dec 2011
Posts: 3,860
Likes: 7
Originally Posted by tjc transport
correct. the sensor on the driver side head is for the CEL. i don't remember where the gauge sensor is.
there are only two things that will set the CEL, low oil pressure, and high engine temperature.
They are both on the driver's side head/block, right there at the front of the engine. The gauge sender is the 'topmost' one, the switch is further down and larger(I replaced that with an actual RTD probe).
 
Reply
Old Feb 28, 2016 | 03:42 PM
  #14  
86pullerf350's Avatar
86pullerf350
Thread Starter
|
Mountain Pass
Joined: Jun 2010
Posts: 186
Likes: 0
From: Dunbarton, NH
Well I got a new radiator cap and thermostat from Ford but haven't had a chance to change them yet due to working stupid hrs!! Hopefully soon I'll get it done!! Thanks for all your help guys!!
 
Reply
Old Feb 28, 2016 | 03:58 PM
  #15  
hairyboxnoogle's Avatar
hairyboxnoogle
Lead Driver
Joined: Apr 2008
Posts: 6,938
Likes: 13
Needs temp gauge sender, buys t-stat and rad. cap... did i miss something?
 
Reply



All times are GMT -5. The time now is 01:19 AM.

story-0
Top 10 Ford Truck Tragedies

Slideshow: Top 10 Ford truck tragedies.

By Joe Kucinski | 2026-05-18 19:34:33


VIEW MORE
story-1
AEV FXL Super Duty - the Super Duty Raptor Ford Doesn't Make

And it might be even better than that.

By Brett Foote | 2026-05-18 19:26:42


VIEW MORE
story-2
Lobo Vs Lobo: Proof the F-150 Lobo Should Be Even Lower!

Slideshow: Does lowering an F-150 Lobo RUIN the ride quality?

By Michael S. Palmer | 2026-05-18 19:20:37


VIEW MORE
story-3
Ford's 2001 Explorer Sportsman Concept Looks For a New Home

Slideshow: Ford's bizarre fishing-themed Explorer concept has resurfaced after spending decades largely forgotten.

By Verdad Gallardo | 2026-05-12 18:07:46


VIEW MORE
story-4
10 Best Ford Truck Engines We Miss the Most!

Slideshow: The 10 best Ford truck engines we miss the most.

By Joe Kucinski | 2026-05-12 13:09:47


VIEW MORE
story-5
2026 Shelby F-150 Off-Road: Better Than a Raptor R?

Slideshow: first look at the 810 hp 2026 Shelby F-150 Off-Road!

By Brett Foote | 2026-05-12 12:50:07


VIEW MORE
story-6
2027 Super Duty Carhartt Package First Look: 12 Things You NEED to Know!

Slideshow: Everything You Need to Know about the 2027 Super Duty Carhartt Package!

By Michael S. Palmer | 2026-05-07 17:51:06


VIEW MORE
story-7
10 Most Surprising 2026 Ford Truck Features!

Slideshow: 10 most surprising Ford truck options/features in 2026.

By Joe Kucinski | 2026-05-05 11:17:22


VIEW MORE
story-8
Top 10 Ford Trucks Coming to Mecum Indy 2026

Slideshow: Here are the top 10 Fords coming to Mecum Indy 2026.

By Brett Foote | 2026-05-04 13:49:49


VIEW MORE
story-9
5 Best / 5 Worst Ford Truck Wheels of All Time

Slideshow: The 5 best and 5 worst Ford truck wheels of all time

By Joe Kucinski | 2026-04-29 16:49:01


VIEW MORE