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2003 5.4 overheating

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Old Oct 13, 2006 | 08:32 PM
  #1  
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From: winthrop
2003 5.4 overheating

2003 f250 5.4 4x4 55000 miles, overheating during the first 4 miles of my morning commute, coolant slowly disappearing
changed thermostat, and coolant
oil looks fine, trans fluid looks fine, dosen't seem to be entering exhaust
still overheating, at the same place approx four miles
pressure is high when i crack the cap, this releasing of pressure seems to help, then its fine
I can hear coolant sloshing thru the heater core sometimes?
could something be clogged?
Any help would be great
Thanks
Whatfish
 
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Old Oct 24, 2006 | 07:25 PM
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From: winthrop
now temp is fine but no cabin heat
today coolant was leaking from the overflow tank?
what is going on, is there a valve other than the thermostat?
don't feel confident in a dealer ship as i have been $%#@%$ in the past
 
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Old Oct 25, 2006 | 06:45 AM
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rwilimo
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Turn the heat on and make sure that the heater valve is opening, if it is feel both of the heater hoses to the core and see if they are both hot. If both hoses are hot the problem is in the dash, if not you may have an air bound heater core. Let us know what you find.
 
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Old Oct 25, 2006 | 06:07 PM
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92f150I6
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Originally Posted by rwilimo
Turn the heat on and make sure that the heater valve is opening, if it is feel both of the heater hoses to the core and see if they are both hot. If both hoses are hot the problem is in the dash, if not you may have an air bound heater core. Let us know what you find.
I would have to second this diagnosis. i run into this all of the time at work. Usually the cooling system will have an air pocket, which will not allow the heater to work, and can cause the engine to overheat. To remedy this, I would runt the engine with the rad cap off and let the air escape. Sometimes the water level will want to push out of the rad. In this instance, shut the engine off, allow it to sit for 5 minutes or so, then restart. The water level should drop, and you should be getting heat inside. Top off the coolan, and your good to go.

Also, sometimes there is a bleeder valve in the cooling system, not sure if the ford trucks have one or not. If it does, you use this to bleed off the trapped air.
 
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Old Oct 25, 2006 | 11:11 PM
  #5  
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From: winthrop
Thanks for the help
I will try this in the morning
I will repost if i find anything
 
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Old Oct 26, 2006 | 07:22 PM
  #6  
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alright i pulled the thermostat which is new and tested it> it works
when the truck overheats it is probably just about hot enough for the thermostat to open, when i pull over and shut the truck off, i crack the degas tank cap to let out the pressure (very high) and this will do the trick, heat is back in the cab, and the temp gauge reads normal...
This is what i have come up with > The amount of pressure is not normal i don't think, the hose from the thermostat to the radiator is not very hot, but under a lot of pressure, could i have a HEAD GASKET or a INTAKE MANIFOLD GASKET failure?? Today i removed the thermostat and all is fine with circulation ruling out the water pump? Could exhaust gas be entering the sysytem causing the pressure therefore causing enough pressure on the backside of the thermostat no allowing it to open? the reason i say is that when i release the pressure (freeing up the thermostat) every thing is fine?
No leaking into the oil YET but i suppose thats next

Triplets on the way do i sell it or fix it?
 
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Old Oct 27, 2006 | 07:30 AM
  #7  
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Pressure like this can be caused by under filling. Are you sure that you are getting all the air out? How long are you running the engine with the cap off to be sure that it is full? The upper hose having a lot of pressure and not feeling flow is often due to low coolant level.

Removing the thermostat is not the answer. Yes is could be a gasket but they are not a very popular problem and usually only act up like this in very hot weather.
 
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Old May 23, 2008 | 12:01 PM
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Exclamation HELP!! Has anyone else had this problem

I am having the exact same problem in my '03 F-250 with the 5.4. I do not know what to do next to troubleshoot this problem without taking it to a repair shop which I dont want to do
 
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Old May 23, 2008 | 02:06 PM
  #9  
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From: winthrop
New Gaskets!
Had the dealer do it.
$1750
Selling the truck this weekend.
 
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Old May 23, 2008 | 02:22 PM
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Was the cooling system ever flushed?
Ken
 
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Old May 27, 2008 | 02:20 PM
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No, I have not had the system flushed. The wierd thing is the other day when I replaced the thermostat I let it idle in my drive way for half hour and then drove it about 20 miles with no problems. I tried driving it the next day and got about 3 miles and had issues again. I checked the thermostat and it is working fine.
 
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