Bronco 1987 overheating

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Oct 7, 2001 | 05:55 PM

tecnomika

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Bronco 1987 overheating

I have a 1987 Bronco, about to embark in a trip from Arlington, VA to New Mexico (1800 miles). I made a test run this weekend and put 850 miles on it, at an avergae speed of 65 mph. No problem with the temperature on the road, but when I pull into a gas station or stop to take a break, the temp will just go to the red line. This can't be normal, so if anyone has some advise...? Thanks.

Oct 7, 2001 | 06:46 PM

JBronco

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From: Loveland, CO.

Bronco 1987 overheating

Sounds like the fan clutch is bad. To check it, go out to the truck after it has been parked overnight and the engine is cold. Spin the fan around, if it spins real easy and goes around more than once, the fan clutch is bad and will cause overheating at idle.

Oct 8, 2001 | 12:22 PM

tecnomika

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Bronco 1987 overheating

Thanks, will try that. No problem here finding cold nights these days...

Oct 8, 2001 | 06:57 PM

honney

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Bronco 1987 overheating

You can also check the fan clutch when hot, it should just provide more resistance. Not a bad idea to check it when hot and cold so you can get an idea for both, if you detect no difference something's wrong. Just for grins also grab a blade and try to push/pull it fore/aft. If there's ANY play the clutch is bad (assuming it's not fan bolts or water pump). I suggest this because this is what happened to mine last spring - obviously it had been technically "bad" for some time before it got to this point, but the truck never ran hot. The only thing that clued me to it was the screech at start-up and idle sometimes; I happened to grab the fan while looking for the source of this noise and I could push/pull the blade about 1"!
BTW, it was the original fan clutch - 11 years ain't bad!

Oct 11, 2001 | 01:28 PM

tecnomika

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Bronco 1987 overheating

Ok, I did all this and also changed the radiator cap - the sealing rubber was completely worn out. So, this weekend I'll do some test runs, let's see what happens.

Thanks again!

Oct 18, 2001 | 12:53 PM

NitrousAl

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From: Massachusetts

Bronco 1987 overheating

Thanks guys, you just saved me a ton of money. My '83 Bronco is doing the same thing. It may have blown a head gasket, but I'm not sure. I thought the squealing I have been hearing might be the belt slipping. Never did I think of the Clutch fan assembly being the problem. I replaced the radiator, hoses and thermostat, but the truck still pukes steamy, hot coolant into the overflow container. I plan on junking the clutch fan assembly and stepping up to an electric fan. Thanks again.

Oct 29, 2001 | 07:07 PM

83Bronco

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Bronco 1987 overheating

[font size="1" color="#FF0000"]LAST EDITED ON 29-Oct-01 AT 08:08 PM (EST)[/font][p]I wouldn't over the look the water pump if I were you NitrousAl. The bearing in it could be on its way out of not already there.