94 Explorer heat problems
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Senior User
Joined: Sep 2000
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94 Explorer heat problems
Hi Everyone,
Sorry to flood with numerous questions but they are all distinct issues and I thought they should have their own message.
My 94 Explorer 4.0L Sport seems to run cold. The temperature gauge never get's into the normal range and is either just below or right at the opening normal mark.
Of course the gauge could be reading wrong but the heat during the winter would take a LONG time to come on and would never be real strong. It is adequate on cool days but on the really cold days it would take a 40 minute drive to get the interior comfortable.
The air conditioning works well both in normal and max AC modes. I have read other posts of people with heat problems where variations on this seemed to be an indicator of a problem.
I am about to replace the thermostat thinking that a partially stuck open thermostat could be causing it to run cool but with the large number of heating related posts I ran into I thought I should run the specifics by folks here first as I could be looking in the wrong direction.
Thanks.
Sorry to flood with numerous questions but they are all distinct issues and I thought they should have their own message.
My 94 Explorer 4.0L Sport seems to run cold. The temperature gauge never get's into the normal range and is either just below or right at the opening normal mark.
Of course the gauge could be reading wrong but the heat during the winter would take a LONG time to come on and would never be real strong. It is adequate on cool days but on the really cold days it would take a 40 minute drive to get the interior comfortable.
The air conditioning works well both in normal and max AC modes. I have read other posts of people with heat problems where variations on this seemed to be an indicator of a problem.
I am about to replace the thermostat thinking that a partially stuck open thermostat could be causing it to run cool but with the large number of heating related posts I ran into I thought I should run the specifics by folks here first as I could be looking in the wrong direction.
Thanks.
New User
Joined: Sep 2003
Posts: 7
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Thermostat
You need to replace your thermostat. I own a 96 explorer and the thermostat died at about 60K and the same was true of my 92 Mazda Navajo (Ford Explorer SPort). You will get better gas mileage too as the engine will warm up properly.
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Thermostat replacement
Cheap yes but easy?
It looks like I will have to jump through hoops to get to the bolts for the thermostat housing. The V belt tensioner is right in front of it. I do not know if I can get at the bolts without moving the tensioner which as far as I can tell is part of the alternator bracket and I do not yet know what is involved to move it.
I have to pick up a manual for this vehicle still, maybe it will give me a better idea. It is so packed in under the hood that I cannot easily visually figure out where everything is.
I think you are right though, that this is just a thermostat problem.
I had it running earlier though and noticed the fan was engaged. The engine was not hot so I did not expect the fan to be spinning at idle. I thought/think this is a clutch fan?
It looks like I will have to jump through hoops to get to the bolts for the thermostat housing. The V belt tensioner is right in front of it. I do not know if I can get at the bolts without moving the tensioner which as far as I can tell is part of the alternator bracket and I do not yet know what is involved to move it.
I have to pick up a manual for this vehicle still, maybe it will give me a better idea. It is so packed in under the hood that I cannot easily visually figure out where everything is.
I think you are right though, that this is just a thermostat problem.
I had it running earlier though and noticed the fan was engaged. The engine was not hot so I did not expect the fan to be spinning at idle. I thought/think this is a clutch fan?
Posting Guru
Joined: May 2002
Posts: 2,450
Likes: 2
From: Baltimore
You need a 10mm (preferably thin wall) socket to get to the bolts. Remove the serpentine belt, and the tensioner will be out of your way. After that, it's pretty easy. Also, when you get the thermostat, make sure you get the o-ring gasket. Most places sell it seperately.
Mike
Mike
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