cooling problem with 98 explorer
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New User
Joined: Jan 2003
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cooling problem with 98 explorer
I am having a cooling problem with my 98 explorer. The fan never shuts off. temp gauge is in the cold as it can get spot all the time. Its the efi 4.0 engine. the coolant temp sending unit is not on this model. At least thats what the haynes manual says. I do not know what else would turn the fan on or off. The thermostat is a diaphram type i belive so i am confused. i am getting over cooling on the truck thats for sure and the temp here has been below 0. does anyone know somthing i do not know. Thanks for the help
Elder User
Joined: Sep 2000
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From: Kelseyville, CA
cooling problem with 98 explorer
What fan are you talking about? If you are talking about the fan at the front of the engine it will not shut off (unless someone replaced it with an electric fan after it was sold). The fan clutch will keep the fan turning any time the engine is running. When driving at higher speeds (higher engine RPMs) the clutch will loosen up which will allow the fan to partially free-wheel which creates less drag on the motor. Other types of fan clutches use a fluid that responds to thermal changes which causes the fluid to get thicker as it heats up which will provide a more direct drive to the fan as the temperature goes up. I don't think the Explorer uses this type of clutch but I'm not certain. In either case though your fan will always turn when your engine is running. If your temperature guage always reads in the middle, then your engine is probably running at the proper temperature otherwise you have two problems, a broken guage and an over cooling problem (probably thermostat). You can hook an OBD-II scanner up to your Explorer and see what temperature the PCM is recording from your coolant temperature sender.
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Joined: Feb 2003
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cooling problem with 98 explorer
I had the same problem with my 98 Explorer w/4.0. The engine would never gain any heat. I replaced the thermostat and that fixed the problem.
To test this theory, let the engine idle for about 10 minutes. If the top radiator hose (the one that goes into the thermostat housing) is hard like a rock, chances are that your thermostat is stuck.
You will have to remove the serpentine belt to get at the bolts for the housing. But the job should only take about an hour.
And, as I found out after two trips to the parts store, there are two different
thermostats for the 4.0. Make sure get the correct one.
Hope this helps.
To test this theory, let the engine idle for about 10 minutes. If the top radiator hose (the one that goes into the thermostat housing) is hard like a rock, chances are that your thermostat is stuck.
You will have to remove the serpentine belt to get at the bolts for the housing. But the job should only take about an hour.
And, as I found out after two trips to the parts store, there are two different
thermostats for the 4.0. Make sure get the correct one.
Hope this helps.
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New User
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cooling problem with 98 explorer
Fixed the prob. thanks for the help. It was the thermostat like you guys said and it runs normal now. I even coverd half the radiator with cardboard to help it stay a little warmer. Its has been bone chilling cold lately. Thanks again
