03 Expedition coolant loss/overheat
Thread Starter
|
New User
Joined: Feb 2013
Posts: 17
Likes: 0
From: Holladay. TN
03 Expedition coolant loss/overheat
Trying to help a no computer friend figger out prob w/daughter's unit. They bought it new, hit miserable deer(we're overrun with the varmints) 'bout 2 yr. ago, replaced A/C cond. and body parts, no apparent radiator damage. She noticed overheat on Dec.24th, wasn't in red yet. She turned heater OFF, temp dropped to normal in couple minutes. She drove mile or two on home. After 15-20 min. he checked, added approx. 1 1/2 gal. coolant, said it didn't appear to be too hot. On 31st it did same, she did too, added 'bout 3 Qt. this time, decided to replace thermostat on Jan. !st. She drove 'bout 4 mi. this AM, noticed it climbing but drove another mile on to work, said after 'bout 1/2 mi. it'd dropped back to normal. He went and installed new pressure cap, added prob. Qt. She let it idle 'bout 5 min. to warm up before drive home, it overheated after 'bout 3mi, this time it got into the red, check eng. lite came on and another red lite she can't identify, she stopped on side of road. He went, removed new cap, there was pressure, no steam and water in reservoir was only warm to touch, not hot. Another clue is heater blew cold while gauge is climbing, blew hot after gauge settled back.
Last edited by Dwayne Oxford; Jan 2, 2014 at 09:02 PM. Reason: Has 5.4 engine
Thread Starter
|
New User
Joined: Feb 2013
Posts: 17
Likes: 0
From: Holladay. TN
Thanx for replies. Hit varmint prob 30-35. I passed along posts to him. As cool as it's been don't think fan clutch'd cause prob. No steam at tailpipe, reservoir looks clean. He's gonna get back on it tomorrow. Does coolant circulate thru reservoir on these?
Thread Starter
|
New User
Joined: Feb 2013
Posts: 17
Likes: 0
From: Holladay. TN
He got back to it today, ran it hard, only prob now is heater output is on and off. How is the coolant controlled on these? Thinking that it got air pocket and's still not bled out good yet.
Trending Topics
Logistics Pro
Joined: Jan 2001
Posts: 3,740
Likes: 37
From: Central NYS
The thermostat is the only control on the coolant.
FTE Stories
Ford Trucks for Ford Truck Enthusiasts
10 Things Every Truck Owner NEEDS (2026 Edition)
Michael S. Palmer
Rezvani's Latest Post-Apocalyptic Monster Is a Ford F-150 Raptor Underneath
Verdad Gallardo
Top 10 Most Expensive Ford Trucks Ever Sold on Bring a Trailer
Joe Kucinski
2027 Ford Super Duty Buyer's Guide (Every Model, Engine, & Package)
Brett Foote
Top 10 Ford Truck Tragedies
Joe Kucinski
AEV FXL Super Duty - the Super Duty Raptor Ford Doesn't Make
Brett Foote
Lobo Vs Lobo: Proof the F-150 Lobo Should Be Even Lower!
Michael S. Palmer
Ford's 2001 Explorer Sportsman Concept Looks For a New Home
Verdad Gallardo
10 Best Ford Truck Engines We Miss the Most!
Joe Kucinski
Senior User
Joined: Sep 2004
Posts: 240
Likes: 0
From: Columbia MO
I just finished replacing my wifes radiator today had thwe same symptoms you described. I thought it might be a blown head gasket my self but with the new rad. in I took it for a hard ride and no more problems. Before I replaced it I had to treat the gas pedal like it was an egg shell, with the new radiator in, back to business!
New User
Joined: Mar 2007
Posts: 16
Likes: 0
x2 on this. My 03 had this problem. Head gasket had a spot about 1/4" long where it had failed. I didn't have much coolant loss, mine was pressurizing the cooling system, causing me to overheat. When you opened the coolant resivor, you could smell exhaust fumes.
Thread Starter
|
New User
Joined: Feb 2013
Posts: 17
Likes: 0
From: Holladay. TN
Thanx, y'all. Just talked to him. Replaced new thermostat with another new one. He says temp rises to normal in couple miles, holds couple miles, then jumps real fast to hot, all this time no heat, then before he can get it off the road it falls to normal, heater begins working and then it's good to go. Seems if head's leaking or radiator clogged it wouldn't cool back down. Did computer check and NO trouble codes. Pro mechanics here telling him flush system, if no better, replace water pump. I told him about the compression gas sniffer to find/rule out compression leak. The saga continues
New User
Joined: Mar 2007
Posts: 16
Likes: 0
Thanx, y'all. Just talked to him. Replaced new thermostat with another new one. He says temp rises to normal in couple miles, holds couple miles, then jumps real fast to hot, all this time no heat, then before he can get it off the road it falls to normal, heater begins working and then it's good to go. Seems if head's leaking or radiator clogged it wouldn't cool back down. Did computer check and NO trouble codes. Pro mechanics here telling him flush system, if no better, replace water pump. I told him about the compression gas sniffer to find/rule out compression leak. The saga continues
Thread Starter
|
New User
Joined: Feb 2013
Posts: 17
Likes: 0
From: Holladay. TN
THINK they got 'er fixed. Things have a rear heater core and there's no air bleed at thermostat. They filled it at thermostat, inst. thermostat etc., then finished filling at tank. OK so far
Thread
Thread Starter
Forum
Replies
Last Post
tonyford
1983 - 2012 Ranger & B-Series
31
Nov 9, 2019 02:28 PM
RenoHuskerDu
Pre-Power Stroke Diesel (7.3L IDI & 6.9L)
33
Jul 25, 2019 01:09 AM
montanamilitia
1980 - 1986 Bullnose F100, F150 & Larger F-Series Trucks
5
Sep 6, 2013 11:45 AM