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Possible thermostat problem???

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Old Dec 31, 2003 | 12:34 AM
  #1  
irazu's Avatar
irazu
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Unhappy Possible thermostat problem???

99 -- V6 -- 4.0L -- 55K

Engine started to over heat "Check Gages" light came on.

Whoa!! Neddle pegged -- "Houston We have a problem!"

So I pull over and shut down the engine. I pop the hood to check a few of the following.

Top engine coolant hose is hot

There is engine coolant in resivoir -- it looks healthy

Belt is fine

So I start it back up and I head for home 4 blocks away. I crank the heater and the temp goes down a bit. As I make a finall approach to the driveway I turn off the heater and the temp starts to climb.

Do thermostats give intermitant problems? That is, can I still have a hot top hose and a closed thermo -- could it be that its operating sporatically?

What else???????

What else could it be
 
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Old Dec 31, 2003 | 12:44 AM
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From: St. Peter
i'd just replace the thermostat for good measure, they're what, about 5 bucks and 3 screws, it sounds like it could be a possibility, even if its not, you may have saved yourself some hassel in the future, it sounds like its definatly a cooling problem if the temp goes down when you turn on the heater, and if the thermostat was part way open, it might let enough water through to heat up the upper hose, but not cool the engine efficiently, i'd say new thermostat
 
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Old Dec 31, 2003 | 11:17 AM
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Yeah, I agree. They CAN INDEED go bad. Your symptoms sound classic.
 
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Old Dec 31, 2003 | 12:55 PM
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If that doesn't fix the problem it could be the fan clutch, when this goes you overheat going slow but not at highway speed.
 
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Old Dec 31, 2003 | 01:16 PM
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Re: Possible thermostat problem???

Originally posted by irazu
Do thermostats give intermitant problems?
I have seen thermostats stick, both open and closed but in my experiences generally open.
 
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Old Dec 31, 2003 | 02:38 PM
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Problem solved

New thermostat

However, i wanted to use Motocraft but dealer is not walking distance away. Went with NAPA (The better one). Still does not look like the quality is as high as OEM.

Anyone care to comment?

Thanks for the info

Happy new year.

Jon
 
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Old Dec 31, 2003 | 07:43 PM
  #7  
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Don't worry about the NAPA stat. You're familiar with your trucks behavior now and will know if it fails.
Personal preference is dealer, but they aren't walking distance for me either.
 
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Old Jan 1, 2004 | 01:11 AM
  #8  
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A few months back I was having problems with my 89 mustang coming close to overheating. This was after a radiator flush and it had been sitting for a few months over the summer. The problem apparantly worked itself out so I didn't change the thermostat or anything.

One thing I learned over the web is that many tried replacement or performance thermostats and eventually went back to Motorcraft after unsatisfactory results or problems with other brands. I would say if you NAPA works, great, if not make your next purchase a Motorcraft. Like Dealford said you know what it is supposed to do.
 
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Old Jan 1, 2004 | 02:00 AM
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From: St. Peter
I've had my napa thermostat in for 2k now and its still working great, also what temp did you get, 180 or 193-195? i got the 180, but i wonder if i'm not supposed to have the hotter one in there since my engine temp gauge reads low all the time,
 
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Old Jan 1, 2004 | 02:42 AM
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I got the 195 -- the temp gage is smack-dab in the middle. Same as the OEM one.
 
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Old Jan 1, 2004 | 01:48 PM
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From: St. Peter
I wonder if i shouldnt get the 195.... when we got the truck the guage always read low, Maybe the thermostat was replaced before that with a 180 or somthing, i might try a 195
 
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