Strange overheating problem
Elder User
Joined: Feb 2002
Posts: 504
Likes: 2
From: Saddle Brook United State
I have a 90 and it has a tank, big thing you can't miss it if it's there. It was most likely removed for some reason. I think mine is on the drivers side up front, if I remember correctly. It also holds the windshield washer fluid , it is a dual tank. The electric fan would have been attached to the front side , not the engine side, of the radiator , like an air conditioning condenser. They are usually held on by long nylon rods pushed through the radiator core (between the fins) with push clips on the fan side.
Postmaster
Joined: Dec 2006
Posts: 3,603
Likes: 10
From: Spokane, WA
Vacuum leak, head gasket leak, cooling system restricted. Gotta find those vac leaks which can be a PITA with those hard plastic lines that crack and break over time. A pressure check on the cooling system and a compression check should detect a head gasket problem. A good flushing of the cooling system may be in order. A coolant recovery tank is nice but won't fix any of the aforementioned problems.
Tuned
Joined: Jun 2003
Posts: 307
Likes: 1
From: South Florida
Start by fixing any and all vacuum leaks.
You can use 1/8" brake line and just a few inches of rubber on each end to get rid of all the oem Ford plastic. Did it years ago and works well.
A recovery tank isn't going to help at all.
Try advancing your timing a little but don't let it ping/detonate.
More advanced = cooler running.
Try flushing the cooling system, but it might be too late for the rad.
Borrow an IR dun and shoot the rad in a few spots, any lower temps will be clogged areas.
You should also read about a 20° temp difference between the rad inlet and the outlet.
Sounds like you have several issues, but generally, if a vehicle heats up the faster you drive on the open road, then it usually is a restricted flow in the rad. A restricted rad will also make you purge water when hot.
You can use 1/8" brake line and just a few inches of rubber on each end to get rid of all the oem Ford plastic. Did it years ago and works well.
A recovery tank isn't going to help at all.
Try advancing your timing a little but don't let it ping/detonate.
More advanced = cooler running.
Try flushing the cooling system, but it might be too late for the rad.
Borrow an IR dun and shoot the rad in a few spots, any lower temps will be clogged areas.
You should also read about a 20° temp difference between the rad inlet and the outlet.
Sounds like you have several issues, but generally, if a vehicle heats up the faster you drive on the open road, then it usually is a restricted flow in the rad. A restricted rad will also make you purge water when hot.
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