overheating
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overheating
help!I am overheating not sure what is causing it. I have changed all hoses, water pump, radiator cap,fan clutch, new drive belt best i can tell there is no scale in the system changed anti-freeze each year i have put three thermostats in it they all keep sticking open or closed could it already be this again? and if so what causes to stick open or close two of them were after market and this one is factory replacment that i put in last year or could it be a cracked head? is there any way to tell if i have a cracked head or blown a gasket? i also read a message saying that it was possible to put the themostat in backwards is this possible?
ps 1997 ford F-150 4.2L V6
I hope yaw can help with this one didnt get much help on ealier message with a po303 code problem. so i hope yaw will take the time to help me with this problem. HEY LOOK I AM NEW TO THIS MESSAGE BOARD. THANKS from the Dawg in advance.
ps 1997 ford F-150 4.2L V6
I hope yaw can help with this one didnt get much help on ealier message with a po303 code problem. so i hope yaw will take the time to help me with this problem. HEY LOOK I AM NEW TO THIS MESSAGE BOARD. THANKS from the Dawg in advance.
Post Fiend
Joined: Feb 2000
Posts: 11,496
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From: Kansas
overheating
You would know very quickly if you had a cracked head (loosing coolant or other problems), or a blown head gasket (losing coolant - oil in the antifreeze/ or vice versa).
It might be possible to put it in upside down - haven't tried it. The fact that they stick is really interesting. Are you using distilled water? Do you have the heavy duty radiator?
It might be possible to put it in upside down - haven't tried it. The fact that they stick is really interesting. Are you using distilled water? Do you have the heavy duty radiator?
Elder User
Joined: May 2002
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overheating
Hey Dawg, how ya doing? Is the temp gauge in the truck telling you the engine is running hot? You might have a bad temp sending unit giveing a false reading. Watch the fan belt routing, so the water pump is turning the corecet direction. Does the truck boil over? Just a few things to look at. Good luck.
Dave Powell
Dave Powell
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overheating
[updated:LAST EDITED ON 01-Aug-02 AT 10:48 AM (EST)]most of the time i used distiled water. thanks for your help any other suggestions will be apreciated. i am going to have some one else put in a thermostat for me this time and see if that works. i'll let know.
i dont think i have the Heavy duty radiator.
temp sending unit seems to be working right.
there one question about the fan turning the right way which way would that be driver side or passenger side or if iam looking at the eng would be rotating counter clockwise or should it be clockwise.
i dont think i have the Heavy duty radiator.
temp sending unit seems to be working right.
there one question about the fan turning the right way which way would that be driver side or passenger side or if iam looking at the eng would be rotating counter clockwise or should it be clockwise.
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Joined: Mar 2002
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From: southeast,usa
overheating
Flow check the radiator. A radiator repair shop can do this for you. If you've got a single core radiator it doesn't take much to plug'em up. If you need a radiator try to get one through a wholesale outlet....much cheaper than a dealer. Is it overheating all the time? Just at idle? Is it building up heat only when you are pulling a load or driving at speed?
Post Fiend
Joined: Feb 2000
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From: Kansas
overheating
[updated:LAST EDITED ON 01-Aug-02 AT 11:47 PM (EST)]There are several things that are factoring in here. Again as was previously posted: Did it always run hot? Or was it a slow build to high temp? You could probably remove the fan and it should show normal temps unless you have it in stop and go traffic.
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overheating
when i drive it for the first time of day it takes it about 30miles to start running hot as long as i drive 52 mph its ok up to that point then after that you have to pull over for a while and let it cool if i drive faster than that or slower around 45 mph or sit an idle it gets red hot and i have to turn off and let it cool down. i believe i have a single row radiator not sure whatever the o.e. is.
Most of the time before the temp hand it would read just below middle ways unless its steaming hot out and had to use a/c then it would get just past middle ways so i try not to use the a/c unless i just had to. its been like that for a while.
Most of the time before the temp hand it would read just below middle ways unless its steaming hot out and had to use a/c then it would get just past middle ways so i try not to use the a/c unless i just had to. its been like that for a while.
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Senior User
Joined: Jan 2002
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From: Delaware
overheating
If your engine overheats at highway speeds, it's probably the radiator. Like Sam says, have it flow tested. If that checks out OK, then verify the "new" water pump is the right one for your engine.
As for the thermostat, the installation of any of these is that the spring side or heat sensing side always goes toward the engine.
Good luck,
Bru
2002 F150 Super Crew
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overheating
[updated:LAST EDITED ON 03-Aug-02 AT 02:05 PM (EST)]well guys i have just replaced thermostat and i am still running hot i have thought of something else before it started running hot i had a missfire in no.3 cyl. if no 3cyl. isnt firing could this cause a large load on the eng and cause it to run hot? Any other suggestions are apreciated i am back to square one.
1.)new thermostat
2.)new fan clutch
3.)new water pump
4.)new bottom radiator hose
5.)top radiator hose 2yrs ago
6.)heater hoses 2yrs ago
1997 F-150 4.2l v6 auto. 200,000 plus miles first time my check eng. light has evercome on since ive owned my truck was when the missfire in no.3 cyl. was scanned with a code reader. Then about two weeks after this is when it started running hot i havent replaced the coil yet i am going to do that this afternoon i hope this helps my miss as well as overheating.
1.)new thermostat
2.)new fan clutch
3.)new water pump
4.)new bottom radiator hose
5.)top radiator hose 2yrs ago
6.)heater hoses 2yrs ago
1997 F-150 4.2l v6 auto. 200,000 plus miles first time my check eng. light has evercome on since ive owned my truck was when the missfire in no.3 cyl. was scanned with a code reader. Then about two weeks after this is when it started running hot i havent replaced the coil yet i am going to do that this afternoon i hope this helps my miss as well as overheating.
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Joined: Jun 2002
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From: Big Canoe GA
overheating
Overheating and engine miss? I would be looking for a cracked head or head gasket. Remove spark plug and pressurize syastem with air hose adaptor and with radiator full check for bubbles. ;-)
Post Fiend
Joined: Feb 2000
Posts: 11,496
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From: Kansas
overheating
I agree. You should not be overheating, period. Do a pressure check as stated above. You have eliminated nearly everything except the head and the radiator. One cylinder missing out would not be enough to overload the rest of the system.
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overheating
hey fellows, i got coil pac replaced and check engine light is out for now. ill get back with yaw once again, as soon as i drive it a lil while. to see whats going to happen. i keep hoping its not cracked head, i hope its the radiator. if it is a cracked head or gasket what would you suggest a repair or maybe a new engine since i have so many miles on the 4.2L v6 would really like to hear some suggestions here. yaw have been a big help and for the support as well, that is pretty cool.
thanks from the dawg
thanks from the dawg
Post Fiend
Joined: Feb 2000
Posts: 11,496
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From: Kansas
overheating
With 200,000K on it, I would recommend a complete rebuild from a shop you trust. You will be farther ahead that way instead of buying a rebuilt motor. From the luck people have with rebuilt motors (Autozone, Marshall, etc) I would rather buy a new motor from Ford than trust one of those.
If it's just a blown head gasket, I'd replace the gasket and keep going - after I checked the head to make sure things were not warped.
If it's just a blown head gasket, I'd replace the gasket and keep going - after I checked the head to make sure things were not warped.
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