I6 Overheating at startup
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New User
Joined: Nov 2003
Posts: 7
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I6 Overheating at startup
Hey guys, I have a 96 f-150 with the I6 that is got me confused. At startup and for the first 5 minutes of driving, the coolant temp goes up to about 3/4 scale on the gauge. After that initial period, the temp drops to a normal level, and stays there unless I am stopped in traffic, then it creeps up again. It seems to me like the thermostat is sticking, but after being replaced 2 times, there was no change. Could it be the fan clutch is not operating properly? With a cold engine, i can spin the fan freely. Everything I have read so far seems to say that it should have resistance until the motor is warm. Any ideas??? Thanks!
Lead Driver
Joined: Nov 2002
Posts: 9,557
Likes: 44
From: Concord, NC
Make sure the cooling system is bled of all air pockets. This happened on the race car I helped build at NC State - the water level was too low, and the temp would spike up to 250, but the engine didn't even feel like it was up to normal temp yet. Filled it up with water, and it didn't happen any more.
I'm not really sure how the fan clutch works. It should allow you to spin the fan (not freely, it will have a bit of drag) with the engine off.
I'm not really sure how the fan clutch works. It should allow you to spin the fan (not freely, it will have a bit of drag) with the engine off.
