Running warm problem!
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Senior User
Joined: Aug 2007
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Running warm problem!
Hello Everyone,
I did a search and tried to find info on this but not satisfied with what I found so thought I would ask! I have a 89 F150 with a 300-6 engine. My truck sits up for months at a time because I'm out of town on business. When I got back and started running my truck it ran a lot warmer than usual. I cleaned the radiator of bugs and stuff,rad is not to old,still hot. I changed out the thermostat from NAPA today and went for a test ride. At hiway speeds the truck rsan cool but when I came off the highway just running about 25 mph the needle ran up to the "R" on normal and the ENGINE lite came on! I know the truck gets hotter after you come off the highway but this was not normal. Water pump looks good. could a hose be collapsing? Any ideas would be appreciated!
I did a search and tried to find info on this but not satisfied with what I found so thought I would ask! I have a 89 F150 with a 300-6 engine. My truck sits up for months at a time because I'm out of town on business. When I got back and started running my truck it ran a lot warmer than usual. I cleaned the radiator of bugs and stuff,rad is not to old,still hot. I changed out the thermostat from NAPA today and went for a test ride. At hiway speeds the truck rsan cool but when I came off the highway just running about 25 mph the needle ran up to the "R" on normal and the ENGINE lite came on! I know the truck gets hotter after you come off the highway but this was not normal. Water pump looks good. could a hose be collapsing? Any ideas would be appreciated!
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Senior User
Joined: Aug 2007
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Hi,
Well I took the new thermostat out and put it in some boiling water ,it opens. Is it opening all the way? I don't know? I think I will get one more from NAPA and try again! Any ideas or info on thermostats would be appreciated! Thanks!
Well I took the new thermostat out and put it in some boiling water ,it opens. Is it opening all the way? I don't know? I think I will get one more from NAPA and try again! Any ideas or info on thermostats would be appreciated! Thanks!
Fleet Mechanic
Joined: Sep 2003
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From: savannah,ga
if not over heating on the hiway the t-stat is ok
let it idle and watch the water flow in the rad.
there should be lots of movement
put a meat therm. in the rad. to confirm it is overheating and not a bad sender
check your fan clutch
see if there is any resitance to turning by hand
there should be some when cold
when hot it should be very stiff
you should also hear the clutch 'kick in'
this will force the fan to pull more air thru the rad.
also check for leaks at the clutch where the shaft meets the clutch
any signs of oil there and it is time for a new one
let it idle and watch the water flow in the rad.
there should be lots of movement
put a meat therm. in the rad. to confirm it is overheating and not a bad sender
check your fan clutch
see if there is any resitance to turning by hand
there should be some when cold
when hot it should be very stiff
you should also hear the clutch 'kick in'
this will force the fan to pull more air thru the rad.
also check for leaks at the clutch where the shaft meets the clutch
any signs of oil there and it is time for a new one
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I had some crap lodged in my heater core one year, couldnt figure out why it was running 20 degrees hotter, until I checked the heater hoses and found that one was empty, and the other was over pressured, -is the heat in the cab good? if its cooler than norm, check that core.
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Thread Starter
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Senior User
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Hi Gentlemen,
Well the truck is now running cool as a cucumber! Here's what happened. I took the new thermestat out and put it in boiling water and it only opened up an 1/8", I didn't like that. Then I checked the fan clutch,it turned ok but when i ran my hand on the front of the clutch it came back oily-dirty,so thats no good. Went back to NAPA and got a new 180 degree thermostat ( I live in FL) and a new Four Seasons fan clutch. Put everything in and the truck with the AC on only goes up to the start line on NORMAL. Also when I come off the highway the temp stays cool and seems very stable. Thanks for all the help it seems all the suggestions were right on this one!
Well the truck is now running cool as a cucumber! Here's what happened. I took the new thermestat out and put it in boiling water and it only opened up an 1/8", I didn't like that. Then I checked the fan clutch,it turned ok but when i ran my hand on the front of the clutch it came back oily-dirty,so thats no good. Went back to NAPA and got a new 180 degree thermostat ( I live in FL) and a new Four Seasons fan clutch. Put everything in and the truck with the AC on only goes up to the start line on NORMAL. Also when I come off the highway the temp stays cool and seems very stable. Thanks for all the help it seems all the suggestions were right on this one!