Explorer Eating Thermostat
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Elder User
Joined: Mar 2002
Posts: 950
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From: Conroe, TX
Explorer Eating Thermostat
I just installed my second thermostat in my Explorer about 2-3 weeks ago. My thermostat is starting to go bad and will not hold the correct temperature. It is usually at the start of the 'N' but will fluxate anywhere from halfway between the C and the 'N' in normal, and between the 'N' and the 'O'. The last thermostat i had only lasted at most two months before it started doing this.
The two tstats were two seperate brands and are both acting the same. They will work great for a while then they will go bad.
All the cooling parts, except the heater core and water pump, are brand new. I replaced them 3 months ago.
Does anyone know what is causing these thermostats to go bad?
Chris
The two tstats were two seperate brands and are both acting the same. They will work great for a while then they will go bad.
All the cooling parts, except the heater core and water pump, are brand new. I replaced them 3 months ago.
Does anyone know what is causing these thermostats to go bad?
Chris
Fleet Owner
Joined: Jan 2004
Posts: 26,007
Likes: 575
From: Brentwood,CA
the thermostat sounds fine it sounds like you have a bad gauge or coolant sender trace the wire to the sender and see if it is rotted clean the connection and use dialectric grease and are you installing them the right direction.
Elder User
Joined: Jan 2004
Posts: 805
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From: Pauline, South Carolina
My '92's doing similar. I had a 180° and upped it to a 195°. The 195° gets hotter before opening, but the engine cools quickly. A while back the engine lost a freeze plug and locked up with my wife. Ended up replacing he motor and shortly thereafter the radiator. I think my problem is that I put in a heavier radiator, and it turns out to have around 50% more cooling capacity than the original. It appears that the increased cooling capacity reduces the heater efficiency significantly.
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Elder User
Joined: Mar 2002
Posts: 950
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From: Conroe, TX
I don't believe that it is the sensor, because it worked fine for a few weeks after i replaced it. Had it been the sensor, it would have continued to malfunction after I replaced the thermostat.
I also know that it is installed in the right direction.
What is driving me crazy is when i first installed both of them, they would warm up perfect and the neadle would not move from between the 'N' and the 'O'. Then after a few weeks it would fluxating and not open at the right temperature.
Chris
I also know that it is installed in the right direction.
What is driving me crazy is when i first installed both of them, they would warm up perfect and the neadle would not move from between the 'N' and the 'O'. Then after a few weeks it would fluxating and not open at the right temperature.
Chris
Junior User
Joined: Jan 2005
Posts: 96
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From: Elkridge, MD
ckrichard, I was having the same issue with my 96 Explorer. The thermostat would stay open and the car would run cold all of the time. Not to mention the bad gas mileage I was getting. I replaced it with a Motorcraft thermostat and it fixed the cooling issue and the gas mileage. Two years later (present) the thermostat went bad again (Running cold and bad gas mileage). I read a thread on this site that said to stay away from the Motorcraft and to buy a Stant. It's now installed and working fine. Let's see how long this one last! Good Luck, Danny
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Elder User
Joined: Mar 2002
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From: Conroe, TX
It's not stuck open. It heats up at the same rate it always has. It is driving me crazy. I know everything is in working order, because the both thermostats worked perfect when i first install them. They will slowly quit holding the correct temperature over a period of a few weeks. I know the problem is the thermostat, but what i cannot figure out is what is causing the thermostats to fail. I don't want to have to replace my thermostat every few weeks. So before i install another one i want to try to figure out what is causing everything to fail after a few weeks.
Chris
Chris
New User
Joined: Jul 2003
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This must be a fairly common occurence as my '94 seems to go through thermostats on a regular basis. I mentioned the engine not getting to normal range on the temp gauge when having routine servicing done and the Tech goes, "Yeah I'll switch the thermostat" like he wasn't the least bit surprised.
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New User
Joined: Oct 2004
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My 92 does the same thing. Ive changed the Tstat twice and also the temp sensor. It still does it but mine stays in the normal range so Im not that concerned.
BTW...My temp gauge only goes up and down while Im driving it. It stays rock steady if I let it idle in the driveway.
Andy
BTW...My temp gauge only goes up and down while Im driving it. It stays rock steady if I let it idle in the driveway.
Andy
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New User
Joined: Mar 2003
Posts: 6
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I removed the check valve built into the thermostat by drilling a 1/8" hole in the flange and added a second 1/8" hole on the other side of the thermostat
this seems to help prevent air being trapped under the thermostat causing erratic operation
i was told by many heavy equipment operators that this mod is an "old school" trick for systems without a bypass line and works great
so far it worked with my 2000 with sohc v-6
this seems to help prevent air being trapped under the thermostat causing erratic operation
i was told by many heavy equipment operators that this mod is an "old school" trick for systems without a bypass line and works great
so far it worked with my 2000 with sohc v-6
Junior User
Joined: Sep 2004
Posts: 78
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From: Houston
I installed anew Tstat from autozone and it lasted less than 30 days. It failed open. I reinstalled the original one and still running it.
From reading previous posts the MC Tstat have a bleed hole in them where as the others do not. I plan to get an MC for the next try.
From reading previous posts the MC Tstat have a bleed hole in them where as the others do not. I plan to get an MC for the next try.
Post Fiend
Joined: Feb 2003
Posts: 6,940
Likes: 2
From: Eastern WA
My 94 Ranger 4.0 is another thermostat and temp gauge sending unit eating vehicle. I've found that when the temp gauge begins to wander, it best to replace both at the same time. I've been down this road maybe five times in the last ten years; the problem first began at about 20,000 miles. I buy OEM from the dealer as they last the longest. When installing the thermostat, make sure the bleader is pointing up.
Senior User
Joined: Sep 2003
Posts: 416
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I also have the same problem, i first changed the thermostat because it was not even getting to the normal lines that seemed to work, but then it would not stay constent, so i changed it again, then i tryed another brand and changed it for the 3rd time finally i just gave up on it and will have to deal with the temp gap, its in the normal range but it just keeps going up and down, typically at idle and driving. I find that the tempature only fluchuates in the winter, the summer it will not move a bit once the car is warmed up. I have a 92 explorer so if any one knows what causing this i am sure everyone will be happy
