overheating?
Thread Starter
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Senior User
Joined: Jan 2003
Posts: 249
Likes: 0
From: Marshalltown, IA
overheating?
I have a 85 f150 (300 6), and I just put in a new thermostat, water outlet, and temp sensor. Coming home from the garage I worked in, my temp gauge went all the way up to H. It ran great, if it was overheating wouldn't I have noticed it running differently? Also, my heater was blowing cool air, it never did warm up. I thought it was a bad thermostat at first, but why would the temp gauge go up so high if it was with the temp sensor right after the thermostat housing. I was thinking I have a bad temp sensor, but then I can't figure out why I didn't have any heat, it worked before I put all this in. Would an air pocket somewhere in the system cause this? Any help would be appreciated, thanks guys.
Post Fiend
Joined: Nov 2002
Posts: 9,987
Likes: 7
From: Memphis, TN
overheating?
Possibly, but the factory temp gauge system isn't known for accuracy. You need to find out if the engine actually is getting that hot or if it's an erroneous reading. After driving home, any air should have worked its way to the radiator, so (after it cools) look inside & top it off. Also, make sure the shop didn't bypass your heater core - there should be 2 hoses from the R hood hinge area going to different ports on the front of the engine.
Thread Starter
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Senior User
Joined: Jan 2003
Posts: 249
Likes: 0
From: Marshalltown, IA
overheating?
The heater hoses are on, the one that went to the water outlet had a little sludge built up in it. Is it possible that my heater core is plugged? If so, can it be unplugged. I'm trying to get a hold of an ohm meter to check the temp sensor, but until then, is there a way to tell if it really is overheating or if it's a false reading? If it was really as hot as the gauge read (at the end of normal and sometimes up to H), would it still run as good? Thanks for the help
Moderator
Joined: Jan 2001
Posts: 56,984
Likes: 2,738
From: Virginia
overheating?
When my truck overheated, the guage was on H and when I pushed on the gas, it would rattle or knock. This was right after I lost heat to the heater core. Soon after I was sitting along the road with steam pouring out. You know what happened? I didn't have enough antifreeze in the system and the radiator froze.
Post Fiend
Joined: Nov 2002
Posts: 9,987
Likes: 7
From: Memphis, TN
overheating?
Unhook the 2 hoses at the firewall and reverse them - this will backflush the heater core, and you can leave it that way as long as you like (the core isn't directional). An overheated engine will knock (from preignition) and it'll get worse under a load (unlike simply running lean). Also, if you put a drop of water on the block, it shouldn't boil unless the engine is actually overheated. Wal-Mart, Sears, & Radio Shack sell decent cheap meters.
