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Old Oct 19, 2003 | 06:11 PM
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runs cold

I have a 1992 ford Explorer 4X4, and in the winter or in the cold weather, like it has been here in CT, the temp gauge hovers over the first normal mark, not even in the normal zone just at the mark, maybe it will go a little over it sometimes but just a little.....but in the summer its at the half way point for the whole time, it was running cold last year as well, but it would go up higher than it is now, the heat comes out hot, does any one else has this problem is this normal or is there some things i can do my self to fix it or should i leave it alone
 
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Old Oct 19, 2003 | 06:39 PM
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replace your thermostat and you should be good to go
 
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Old Oct 19, 2003 | 06:44 PM
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when its warm out it goes up to half way it just runs cold in the winter..... could it be the wrong thermosat in there??
 
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Old Oct 19, 2003 | 07:50 PM
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I had the same problem, it's your thermostat. It took a long time for mine to warm up in the summer, on our first few cool mornings it wouldn't warm up at all. I changed the thermostat a few weeks ago, bingo. Good luck.
 
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Old Oct 19, 2003 | 08:05 PM
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I have had the same problem. My 93 would show dead cold in the winter, despite warm heat. On hot days in the summer, it would function normally after it warmed up, but on my morning drive to work (25 miles) it wouldn't show even a bar.

Sounds like a thermostat or maybe your gauge. If it is the thermostat, you should see a small increase in mileage when it is fixed. When the therm conks out in the open position, it sends a message to the ECU to run richer for the start up idle mode until it hits a certain temp. point, then the ECU re-adjusts the fuel mix. If you get a chance to order one, with an older Explo, I'd suggest a fail-safe thermo that fails open instead of closed. Few extra bucks, but worth it.

If that doesn't fix it, I'd leave it alone. I think the gauge is more trouble to fix that the problem. Might also want to flush the rad.

Tell us how it comes out.
Eric
 
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Old Oct 19, 2003 | 10:32 PM
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I'm pretty sure it's your thermostat.
 
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Old Oct 20, 2003 | 06:17 PM
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I will try that, but i called up the parts store today and they had like 5 differant ones that were diffeant temps what the best one to get, i think they started at like 120 and went up to over 200
 
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Old Oct 20, 2003 | 06:22 PM
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I think just about everything today runs about 195.
 
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Old Oct 20, 2003 | 06:23 PM
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One more thing i want to add, just checked the level of coolent in the radiator full, but in the recovery tank empty i filled it up to the full cold line, and i just can back from a drive it running warmer, its at about a quarter high now, i'll see tommarow morning when it will be colder out, if it goes up i'll leave it if not new thermostat, thanks all
 
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Old Oct 20, 2003 | 06:24 PM
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Yup. Use 195 because anything colder will cause your ECM to think the engine is cold and needs more fuel.
 
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Old Nov 13, 2003 | 04:09 PM
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how the heck do i get a socket in there??
 
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