Over heating issues. 97 explorer xlt
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Over heating issues. 97 explorer xlt
Hi everyone. This is my second post on here. I came across this site while trying to research an issue I'm having with my explorer.
I wanna start out by saying that about 9 months ago I had to replace the radiator and went ahead and replaced the thermoStat and the thermostat housing due to a cracked housing.
which brings us to this week. I was driving and noticed while sitting in traffic that the temperature would fluctuate it jumped to the red and went back to normal and would just fluctuate back and forth. My first thought is maybe thermostat is already gone out. Then there's tonight. The temperature will rise very high when sitting at a red light and go somewhat back to normal at cruising speed. I'm not sure if it stuck closed or what or that and a combination of a failing fan. Im Looking for an opinion or somthing I may have over looked. Thanks in advance.
I wanna start out by saying that about 9 months ago I had to replace the radiator and went ahead and replaced the thermoStat and the thermostat housing due to a cracked housing.
which brings us to this week. I was driving and noticed while sitting in traffic that the temperature would fluctuate it jumped to the red and went back to normal and would just fluctuate back and forth. My first thought is maybe thermostat is already gone out. Then there's tonight. The temperature will rise very high when sitting at a red light and go somewhat back to normal at cruising speed. I'm not sure if it stuck closed or what or that and a combination of a failing fan. Im Looking for an opinion or somthing I may have over looked. Thanks in advance.
Hotshot
Joined: Jul 2005
Posts: 11,931
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your thermostatic fan should kick in at some temp ( maybe 160 ??) and cool the motor when setting at a stop light. That sounds like your problem. The fan will have a tendancy to spin when not engaged, so you cant just look at it to see if it is working. You should be able to stand there in the driveway ,with the hood open and when temp gets to mid green, you will hear the fan speed increase rapidly ( more noise)... but your symptoms are normally related to a worn out water pump ( no impeller) or fan not working........ When setting at idle, if you increase motor speed, the pump speed will increase and push more water.. you could test that to see if the problem is low pump rpm, or no fan output.
Logistics Pro
Joined: Jun 2009
Posts: 4,815
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From: Cedar Rapids, IA
Since you just changed the thermostat, I'd be more inclined to suspect you have some trapped air in the cooling system. Generally speaking erratic, rapid jumping of the gauge is either a sending unit problem or caused by trapped air. If the sensor is immersed in coolant/liquid, the temperature change will be slow and smooth, not erratic.
Check the level in the radiator and top it off if it's a bit low. I'm not sure if your '97 has a cooling system bleed screw (which engine does your Explorer have?). If not, you might try parking in an area where the front of the vehicle will be slightly elevated after getting the engine up to tempt to help the air find it's way to the radiator cap (high point). Then after it cools top it off again.
-Rod
Check the level in the radiator and top it off if it's a bit low. I'm not sure if your '97 has a cooling system bleed screw (which engine does your Explorer have?). If not, you might try parking in an area where the front of the vehicle will be slightly elevated after getting the engine up to tempt to help the air find it's way to the radiator cap (high point). Then after it cools top it off again.
-Rod
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