Overheating Problem
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Joined: Jun 2004
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Overheating Problem
1978 F-100, V8 351 Mod, C6 Tranny.
Recently started quick overheating after short engine run time. Began last week. Temperature gadge goes off-scale high and steaming anitfreeze comes out of relief hose on radiator. Changed thermostat and radiator cap and filled radiator almost to top with 50/50 antifreeze/water mix. Still overheating. I see no obvious signs of the water pump being bad (no leakage through weep hole as far as I can tell). Have been seeing slightly discolored spots on driveway before this started, but always thought this was something else (powersteering). Recently installed newer radiator in May of this year. Any suggestions?
Recently started quick overheating after short engine run time. Began last week. Temperature gadge goes off-scale high and steaming anitfreeze comes out of relief hose on radiator. Changed thermostat and radiator cap and filled radiator almost to top with 50/50 antifreeze/water mix. Still overheating. I see no obvious signs of the water pump being bad (no leakage through weep hole as far as I can tell). Have been seeing slightly discolored spots on driveway before this started, but always thought this was something else (powersteering). Recently installed newer radiator in May of this year. Any suggestions?
Last edited by rdltower; Oct 26, 2004 at 12:02 PM.
Elder User
Joined: Jan 2004
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From: Franklin, GA
Next time temp starts to climb the scale, raise the hood while the engine is still running and see if the lower radiator hose is collapsing when the thermostat is opening up and allowing the water pump to circulate the coolant. Kinda like sucking on a straw with your finger over the other end of it.
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Joined: Oct 2004
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From: Dolan Springs Arizona
over heating
Hi, check if it has one your fan clutch ,be sure the fan is pulling air thru the rad ok hold a piece of paper if front of it and see if it sucks the paper inagainst the rad. also check hose's,and water pump, see if you are getting circulation . good luck Slim
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Thanks for all of your help guys. I will trouble shoot tonight. I do know that the lower radiator hose has a spring inside and the thermostat is in the right direction. Just havent checked the other stuff you recommended. Will let you know what happens later.
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Still Overheating
Boiled old thermostat and it opened just fine. Looked at hoses while I ran in idle and they did not give. Now she overheats in idle. Checked to see if block had internal leak, Motor oil did not look milky. Radiator grille seems clear. Checked fan. Suction through grille into engine block was good (sucked part of my shirt in), belt, pulley and fan looked good with no cracks. Don't know if I have a fan clutch, but either way, fan did not spin freely when I spun it. Ran in idle with radiator cap off. Very little motion of coolant in radiator until very end when car began overheating. Level did not change much either. When she started overheating, saw fast moving (not gushing), smoking coolant coming from return line.
I'm thinking water pump is bad, My radiator is clogged or something else in the circulation system is busted. Your thoughts?
I'm thinking water pump is bad, My radiator is clogged or something else in the circulation system is busted. Your thoughts?
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Thanks. I dont think I have ever heard of this. Does air in the cooling system give you the same symptoms like overheating? Does it cause boiling over? What allows air in the system?
Thanks for your help
Thanks for your help
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Joined: Jan 2008
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Yes, it does.
Numerous times the problem was air trapped in the cooling system after coolant has been replaced.
In fact, it happened a couple of times in the Buick & a couple of times in my old 400.
Sometimes letting it gurgle has helped..... other times filling the system starting the engine & shuting it down just before it starts to blow out.... helps.
Numerous times the problem was air trapped in the cooling system after coolant has been replaced.
In fact, it happened a couple of times in the Buick & a couple of times in my old 400.
Sometimes letting it gurgle has helped..... other times filling the system starting the engine & shuting it down just before it starts to blow out.... helps.
Elder User
Joined: Oct 2004
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From: Port Alberni
i had the exact same problem i change every thing but the rad which i took out and had cleaned $350 later as dennis says it was an air lock in the system i was peed but everything is new not a fun problem to figuire out
Posting Legend
Joined: Sep 2001
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You need to leave about 1-1/2" of air space at the top of the radiator for expansion room. If you don't the normal expansion of the coolant will force coolant out of the radiator overflow.
Do you have a fan shroud?
Do you have a fan shroud?
Elder User
Joined: Oct 2004
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From: Port Alberni
i was told that if the water level in the rad is lower than than were the thermastat is this will also cause air locks is that right becauce i dont understand how trucks with rad in the box (race trucks) can keep cool