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Old Sep 15, 2004 | 07:45 PM
  #1  
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Gooch
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From: Baltimore
Question Temp too low

Can't get engine up to operating temp. Changed stat and water pump 6 mos ago. I was wondering if anyone thinks a blown head gasket woukd cause this.
I keep losing anti-freeze and have bubbling in the rad, so I know a gasket is bad.
Also anyone have ideas on how to keep heat off a starter, to prevent slow cranks on a hot start.

90 bronco 351

Thoughts or suggestions appreciated

Gooch
 
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Old Sep 15, 2004 | 08:38 PM
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MinnManBroncoFan
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From: Richfield MN
What makes you think the truck Can't get engine up to operating temp ?
A head gasket is a major problem and not very common on these broncos.
Wont blow heat ?
The dummy gage on the dash says its wont ?
If you do have a head gasket problem it will show some white smoke at start up.
Pull the plugs if one has antifreeze on it "you can see it or smell it very sweet smell."
you got a head gasket problem.
slow crank at hot start up is not a heat problem on the starter sounds like a timming issue.
 
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Old Sep 16, 2004 | 05:39 PM
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Compression test got me courious. Then I put an air line to the cylinder with the low #'s, and I could hear it at the radiator with the cap off. So if it's blown to the water jacket, it may not show white smoke. Not to mention my under dash gauge shows between 150 and 165 degrees.
I'll also double check timing, at last check it was 10 btdc with spout unplugged.

Thanks for your input.
Gooch
 
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Old Sep 16, 2004 | 08:18 PM
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i tend to disagree withminnman about the hot starter issue. mine also would crank slow when the starter got hot like when it was 90 degrees out and the engine was well warmed up.
 
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Old Sep 16, 2004 | 09:20 PM
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From: Richfield MN
what did the plug look like on cylinder with low compression ?
how low was it ?
If you have a cylinder that's blown to the water jacket you can rent or buy a tool that will put pressure into your coolant system through the cap and it will push antifreeze into that cylinder,I rented one once through a Bigwheel .
It has a lot of fittings for each radiator neck and a hand pump and a gage.
I just took a guess at the starter slow crank,do you have headers on this truck that is giving you excessive heat on the starter ?
 
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Old Sep 17, 2004 | 02:00 AM
  #6  
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I replaced my battery terminals on my Bronco and it cured my slow cranking when warm issue. I thought it was my starter too...but if your battery terminals and/or wiring looks like hell...replace them.
 
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Old Sep 18, 2004 | 07:12 PM
  #7  
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No headers, stock exhaust with a cat back. I've seen the tool you mentioned, but I'm still 95% sure it's a gasket. 205,000 miles it probably wouldn't hurt.
As for the terminals, they look o.k. maybe I'll check resistance on them.

thanks
 
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Old Sep 19, 2004 | 04:12 PM
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hey is it a problem if your engine doesnt get up to the normal temp? because i have the full basani exhaust system including headers on my 1993 bronco along with k&N and i figured if my temp guage always reads that my temp is below normal it was normal because i had these upgrades. Also i am sure my temp guage isnt broken or stuck in a place because it does move and it has gotten up to normal temp.
 
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Old Sep 19, 2004 | 04:43 PM
  #9  
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Normally I wouldn't worry about low temp, but winter is coming and heat is becoming an issue.

thanks
 
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