Engine temp too cool
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Senior User
Joined: May 2003
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Engine temp too cool
90 Aerostar 4.0l and Living in Florida, this has never been a problem, but we will be moving North soon and need a solution.
The water temp in the Van goes very slowly up to the N in Normal as the engine warms up, then almost immediately it drops all the way back down. This cycle continues even on the hottest days. The temp never gets over the N. This has been great in the heat of Florida, but with a move to the North, the water temp. never gets warm enough that the heaters is blowing hot air. At best we get luke warm heat.
I have replaced the thermostat, water pump, heater core, radiator, fan regulator and virtually all hoses recently. It has never gotten hotter than this.
Any thoughts,
Thanks,
John
The water temp in the Van goes very slowly up to the N in Normal as the engine warms up, then almost immediately it drops all the way back down. This cycle continues even on the hottest days. The temp never gets over the N. This has been great in the heat of Florida, but with a move to the North, the water temp. never gets warm enough that the heaters is blowing hot air. At best we get luke warm heat.
I have replaced the thermostat, water pump, heater core, radiator, fan regulator and virtually all hoses recently. It has never gotten hotter than this.
Any thoughts,
Thanks,
John
Lead Driver
Joined: Oct 2004
Posts: 8,062
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From: Central Oregon
bertha66
My Wife has a 90 Aerostar with a 4.0, the fan clutch locked up and never slowed the air down coming thew the radiator. made the engine cold and made a lot of fan noise, wind noise.
Senior User
Joined: Dec 2003
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From: staten island
My 92 aerostar runs a bit cool, but I get adequate heat here in NJ. How bout the old truck driver trick, block off a small bit of radiator with tape or cardboard and see if that gets the temp. up.
Postmaster
Joined: Apr 2001
Posts: 3,818
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The gauge in my '91 4.0 stays always in the lowest regions, just below the "N". I have replaced the sending unit, checked/replaced thermostats, radiator, caps etc, all to no avail. The engine runs fine, excellent mileage, plenty of heat and the cooling system holds constant pressure so I can only assume the problem (if there is one) can be in the gauge itself.
Junior User
Joined: Jun 2003
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same problem here (if it is one )never gets past the N if it gets there at all usually hoovering around the C in Cold, would'nt give it much thought if the van is running well- I'd be worried if it were reversed (up near the H in Hot)
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Joined: Oct 2004
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I just drove to work with 33 F temperature outside in my fairly recently acquired 94. The temp guage, as usual, hovered at the lower end of the temp rangel, but I had plenty of heat and had to turn the blower down about 3 miles into the commute. I have a 95 escort that exibites the same behavior. Maybe this is just a Ford thing that happens after either the sending unit loses sensitivity or the guage loses responsivenes. The only way to really tell may be to use a thermometer to check coolant temp as it warms up (before it gets dangerously hot). I'm not going to worry about mine.
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You heard of idiot lights? Well ours our idiot gages, they are not really calibrated. I have almost bought an electric gage many times to install in my van. I would put the sender in the stock location.
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Senior User
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As I said in the 1st post, my problem is not the gauge. The temp is really that cool. It does not stay at the N mark of the gauge. As soon as it reaches there it drops back down all the way to the bottom and then starts a slow trek up again. Over and over it does this while the van is running. The van coolant stays cool eneough that you can touch the radiator or hoses even after the van has been running for an hour.
The problem is that there is virtually no heat coming thru in the van. The blower is blowing well but it does not warm the inside. Heater core has been replaced due to leaking. Radiator, water pump, thermostat and hoses replaced.
Any other thoughts.
John
The problem is that there is virtually no heat coming thru in the van. The blower is blowing well but it does not warm the inside. Heater core has been replaced due to leaking. Radiator, water pump, thermostat and hoses replaced.
Any other thoughts.
John
Elder User
Joined: Feb 2004
Posts: 855
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From: Ocean Park WA
The temperature gauge is a glorified idiot light that is in oway even close to actual temperatures. I've checked mine on my F-350 with an Infared, inductive and mechanical in the radiator. The low side to N is actually about 182 F. This is a little on the low side but the fuel system does go to closed loop and the engine operates correctly. The only way to be sure of actual temperature is to replace the factory one with a mechanical using a capilary tube. You have to remove the correct one as one is for the PCM for engine functions and one is for the dashboard.
Senior User
Joined: Sep 2004
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From: brooksville, florida
my 91 4.0 runs the same, the heating up and cooling down is just the engine themostat working, I live in florida as well, my van never gets very hot even on very hot days, have to say though that the rear heat only works, I don't get any heat from the front vents, not really bothered about it here in florida though.
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Joined: Sep 2004
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From: earth
I just change the thermostat from Ford 190 degree to Stan 180 degree. The van Temp. gauge has go down around the letter "N". After a long trip (150 miles with 2 hrs. to drive the gauge stay at the Left of the letter "N". When I use the original 190 degree, the gauge was at around the letter "R" and "M". ocasionally, when drove go uphill, it went to the end of the letter "M". When purchase the Stan thermostat, I compare it with Ford and they both apearea as the same (made in USA, 52mm...)