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What is your question?
I have read a lot of blogs in other Forums. My 2004 Ford Explorer has the 4.0 V6 Flex Fuel Engine. The 8th digit of the vin is "K". I replaced the Whole Thermostat housing including new t-stat and gasket. The part came with o-ring for under t-stat housing to engine,which was already installed.Also had t-stat & t-stat gasket and a small o-ring I believe is a new one for the Temp sensor that goes in top of t-stat housing.I have only one sensor so I used the plug(came w/ housing)for the other hole.Followed Coolant bleeding instructions from Chilton Repair Manual exactly as it explained.Now, The temp will stay Normal around town but as soon as I go on the Highway the needle shoots up to Hot.The check gauge comes on and the coolant is boiling in the coolant Tank!T-stat does open and Top hose gets Hot. Also idles like crap which it did not do before.I don't like the No radiator cap design!I have tried everything. I know the way the coolant system works that is why this is confusing!It doesn't make sense the way that it overheats.If I let it sit at idle, there are no problems.The needle stays in the middle were it is suppose to be. Any help would be appreciated.
4 Replies
Since you have correctly installed stat and purged all air...Possible radiator restriction. Also suggest getting a combustion leak test performed If you want to know, for sure, if you have a head/gasket problem!!! Check coolant level before starting engine in the morning, or while engine is cold, to see if more is needed.
does it have an electric cooling fan if so is it working if no fan then I agree with pushrod and check for a head gasket problem
Pushrod & Goodguy, I am still being challenged by this Ford!I have done a lil more since Ive posted last.I have flushed system FULLY(even taking off each hose to make sure no clogs).Replaced Coolant Tank CAP(No Radiator Cap).Removed PLASTIC INTAKE(Poor Design)& replaced Lower Intake Gaskets.Put it all back together,double checking Everything I unplugged or took off or disconnected.Filled Coolant System with correct 50/50 coolant.Said a little Prayer and Turned the Key!It Started right up,No Problem.The next morning I came out to check coolant tank,almost empty.WTF?So I filled tank & drove around.Once it heated up,the needle would float a lil bit till it finally went all the way to HOT & the check gauge light came on.Turned motor off Immediately.I tightened Intake bolts again after the motor cooled down.Nothing is Leaking But I think the coolant must be going out the exhaust when i'm driving.I see white smoke once in awhile not a lot & it goes away.Also SOMETIMES it has erratic idle/hesitation.When thats not happening it runs great. Smooth like it's suppose to.Any Help would be appreciated.My best educated guess is I have a cracked valve.By the way I did a coolant pressure test & it held at 16psi.That should of found LEAK if there was one....correct?Also the Cooling Fan is Working Correctly.
Take the covers off the top of your radiator let the car run at idle and warm up. Once the car has warmed up touch the radiator and feel if the whole radiator has the same temp from top to bottom if it's not an even temp then your radiator is more then likely stopped up and needs to be replaced. I have an 03 explorer and this fixed my problem the orange coolent Ford uses is crap and cloggs up the flute tubes in the radiator causing it not to flow right that's why when at idle it don't over heat but when driving and more water is needed to be cooled faster and with it clogged there is no flow so it over heats hope this helps
I have a 04 explorer and the same problem. I revved up the RPM and got under it and from what I saw it was smoking and boiling from what appears to be the manifold plug
This was after the radiator was replaced and I bought a fan clutch which wasn't the problem either way. But the temp from the motor wouldn't be boiling but it would be boiling and smoking up close to the dash under the hood. That's the answer that I have come up with. If I can find the picture I'll send it to you but it looks as if the exhaust was coming loose and the manifold plug is showing very well. With that said IV got someone replacing the ignition switch since I've misplaced my keys while moving and can't go any further with it at this point
Pushrod & Goodguy, I am still being challenged by this Ford!I have done a lil more since Ive posted last.I have flushed system FULLY(even taking off each hose to make sure no clogs).Replaced Coolant Tank CAP(No Radiator Cap).Removed PLASTIC INTAKE(Poor Design)& replaced Lower Intake Gaskets.Put it all back together,double checking Everything I unplugged or took off or disconnected.Filled Coolant System with correct 50/50 coolant.Said a little Prayer and Turned the Key!It Started right up,No Problem.The next morning I came out to check coolant tank,almost empty.WTF?So I filled tank & drove around.Once it heated up,the needle would float a lil bit till it finally went all the way to HOT & the check gauge light came on.Turned motor off Immediately.I tightened Intake bolts again after the motor cooled down.Nothing is Leaking But I think the coolant must be going out the exhaust when i'm driving.I see white smoke once in awhile not a lot & it goes away.Also SOMETIMES it has erratic idle/hesitation.When thats not happening it runs great. Smooth like it's suppose to.Any Help would be appreciated.My best educated guess is I have a cracked valve.By the way I did a coolant pressure test & it held at 16psi.That should of found LEAK if there was one....correct?Also the cooling fan is working correctly.
COMBUSTION LEAK TEST NEEDED!! Any repair shop SHOULD be able to do it.