Cold
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Cold
My 92 explorer runs cold in the winter, the temp gauge barley goes above the normal line, and when it ocasionally goes in the normal area (about 1/16 of the way) it will go right back down to the first normal line. I do get heat. Oh and last Monday it was in the mid 70's in CT and the temp was at half way the whole time never went below, but when it get cooler out the temp hovers around the first normal line. I know the gauge is fine, b/c in the summer when the temp is half way i cant keep my hand on the top of the engine, but then today after i drove for about an hour i opened the hood touched the top of the engine and it was warm i could keep my hand there all day. I am thinking its the T-stat but when its warm out the temp is fine half way and it will stay there it wont vary wont get hotter or colder. Any one know what it could bE??
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Joined: Mar 2001
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From: Raleigh, NC
It's your thermostat. It's stuck open. The reason why your temp gauge is in the middle is b/c your heater isn't on. Mine is doing the same thing right now...for the third time in 3 years. I'll be taking it in next weekend.
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is your fan running?
I just replaced the tensioner and serpentine belt. On the way home I noticed the engine was taking way too long to warm up, (temperature was in the thirties), then I checked under the hood and the fan was running. Just curious if your fan was running as well...maybe my problem is a fan clutch and not the thermostat?
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YEA it runs all the time.....but i just figured since it connected to the serpentine belt that its suppose to just at low speeds then if it gets hot and am no moving i can hear it roaring.....thats what past cars of mine did with out the electic fan the fan stays on all the time.....is yours off now
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I have a 93 Explorer with the same problem. It has had 2 thermostats and a radiator (which it needed). None of which seemed to solve the problem. Any suggestions would be greatly appreciated as it is getting cold here in northern NY and I don't have an hour each morning to defrost the windshield.
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What tempature t-stat did you get? 195, is what should be in it. Also check to see if you put the t-stat in right, the bigger part should be in the engine block (side with the spring), if that is all well go to your local ford dealer and get a OEM t-stat, which are more accuracte (meaning they keep the temp more constent) then say one from auto zone, to me it still sounds like the t-stat is opening too much and is closing at too low of a temp. If you say you say your not getting any heat then it cant be the temp sending unit or your gauge. It is possiable to get bad t-stats, and sounds to me that, thats your problem, i would try to return the one thats in there now and go to ford and buy one from them, and do it your self it your unsure, search the posts again i posted one a month ago about replacing the t-stat, the after market ones are ussually slower reacting then stock t-stats, you can only really notice when its cold out because the min it opens it usually needs to close right up b/c the heat disapates so fast, and with an after market t-stat in the winter you can see the temp vary when it opens and closes ussually, sometimes you cant.
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Joined: Mar 2001
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From: Raleigh, NC
Stock is 195 degrees and you should use the same because if you use anything cooler than 195, the engine computer will pump more fuel into the engine, which causes lower gas mileage.
In regards to the Motorcraft t-stat, don't buy it from them. I replaced the same t-stat twice already in 2 years. Get a Stant one because it's cheap and works after a year of use.
In regards to the Motorcraft t-stat, don't buy it from them. I replaced the same t-stat twice already in 2 years. Get a Stant one because it's cheap and works after a year of use.
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i saw something about an electric fan??? does anyone know where one can be purchased for a 96 X??? i was a muscle head with a ex-police interceptor 302 now a car audio video guy an doesnt know much bout small engine in big suvs
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From: Stavanger-Norway
I am new to the Explorer. I can see it has a fan friction clutch.
In two of my previous European cars, Opel and BMW, this cluch was a pain, because it lacked friction over time, and the engine would run very hot in slow traffic and up steep hills. Even new units did not hold the neccesary torque for cooling.
As far as I can see here, this is not the problem with the Ford unit? Right?
However, I have best experience with elecric fan units with the temp sensor mounted to engine. It will save some fuel by running the fan only when needed.
On my Explorer I feel the fan is moving a lot of air, even before the radiator is properly hot.
Anyone tried to fit an electric fan to the Explorer?
In two of my previous European cars, Opel and BMW, this cluch was a pain, because it lacked friction over time, and the engine would run very hot in slow traffic and up steep hills. Even new units did not hold the neccesary torque for cooling.
As far as I can see here, this is not the problem with the Ford unit? Right?
However, I have best experience with elecric fan units with the temp sensor mounted to engine. It will save some fuel by running the fan only when needed.
On my Explorer I feel the fan is moving a lot of air, even before the radiator is properly hot.
Anyone tried to fit an electric fan to the Explorer?
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