Fluctuating temp gauge readings
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Fluctuating temp gauge readings
My '95 AWD Aerostar has 202,650 miles and I've been working on for about a year. Last fall I found coolant leaking so I replaced the radiator (it was cracked). While I was at it, I replaced the timing gears, chain, chain tensioner, water pump, hoses, fan clutch and thermostat. Temperature gauge reads from "o" in normal to "a". I've bled air out by parking on ramps on an incline, I've backflushed the cooling system, replaced the radiator cap, and put two new thermostats in. I've checked coolant for combustion gases, none found. There is no water in the oil, there is no steam coming from the tailpipe, no water missing from the radiator, and the engine runs great. Just in case, I put Bar's Leaks Heavy Duty head gasket sealer in the radiator. The heads have never been off the engine, in fact there has been no major work done on the engine.
There are no codes other than "normal" put out by the engine computer.
This problem is driving me "nuts". What could be causing the problem?
P.S. After I submitted this thread, I noticed some typos which are not in my original. Why do some of my words disappear? (...and the engine runs great now reads ...and the runs great.)
There are no codes other than "normal" put out by the engine computer.
This problem is driving me "nuts". What could be causing the problem?
P.S. After I submitted this thread, I noticed some typos which are not in my original. Why do some of my words disappear? (...and the engine runs great now reads ...and the runs great.)
Last edited by warpington; Oct 27, 2006 at 11:28 PM.
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Joined: Nov 2004
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From: Salt Lake City, Utah
Ok you say it is fluctuateing, is is slow and gradual, or does it jitter. If it jitters, I would suspect a loose electrical connection or a faulty guage temp sender. The guage itself could also have problems. One easy way to test, wiggle the wires and see if anything changes (be very careful if you try this), or swap out the sensor for the guage. I would get rid of the bars leak, great for temporary stuff, but don't leave it in there. What brand cap did you use, and was it the type with the pressure relief valve? What temperature is the thermostat rated to?
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this seems to be a cronic issue in many aerostars (at least the ones i've encountered)
firstly, make sure that the overflow has plenty of coolant in it.
let the van run with the cap off for awhile just to be sure that the air is gone from the systsem.
not to talk down to you, but almost EVERY time i run into a issue like this, it is merely because of low coolant.
also bars leak is the devil, i will NEVER EVER put that crap in a car again, once was enough for me to learn my lesson. long story short it didnt' fix anything but clog up a radiator.
firstly, make sure that the overflow has plenty of coolant in it.
let the van run with the cap off for awhile just to be sure that the air is gone from the systsem.
not to talk down to you, but almost EVERY time i run into a issue like this, it is merely because of low coolant.
also bars leak is the devil, i will NEVER EVER put that crap in a car again, once was enough for me to learn my lesson. long story short it didnt' fix anything but clog up a radiator.
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Joined: Apr 2005
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From: Washington state
was temp gauge fluctuating prior to all the work?
does the bottom suction radiator hose have the stainless steel anti collapse spring in it?
if they get lost, will have symtoms you describe....hose collapsed then opens back up when engine block belchs out a steam bubbles thru the upper hose...temp fluctuates
is thermostat in correctly? larger mass end into block housing opening
no stop leak products unless for a quick fix to get home or on a rig soon headed to bone yard...please flush it out
no more than 50% mix of antifreeze to water....otherwise too thick =pump cavitates and not good flow past head combustion chamber hot spots
mine fluctuates if i don't get a good air purge
does the bottom suction radiator hose have the stainless steel anti collapse spring in it?
if they get lost, will have symtoms you describe....hose collapsed then opens back up when engine block belchs out a steam bubbles thru the upper hose...temp fluctuates
is thermostat in correctly? larger mass end into block housing opening
no stop leak products unless for a quick fix to get home or on a rig soon headed to bone yard...please flush it out
no more than 50% mix of antifreeze to water....otherwise too thick =pump cavitates and not good flow past head combustion chamber hot spots
mine fluctuates if i don't get a good air purge
Last edited by 96_4wdr; Oct 28, 2006 at 04:40 AM.
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