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  #1  
Old 10-06-2014, 04:19 PM
BigSwanny BigSwanny is offline
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Default replaced entire cooling system and still overheating...HELP PLEASE!

Hi everyone, I recently purchased a 95 2.3 manual trans. (Just like the one I had when I was a teenager). Soon after purchasing the truck I noticed that it was starting to overheat. To get to the point. I replaced the thermostat twice, the fanclutch, radiator, water pump, and radiator cap. It overheard within 10 miles or so the temp gauge go's up and it starts missing and running rough. I've tried everything, bleeding the air, running without a thermostat all to no avail. I've become obsessed with repairing this truck...I'm losing sleep at night. Does anyone have any ideas on what could be causing this. Oh and also did a compression test and passed. Thank you for any help in advance.
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  #2  
Old 10-06-2014, 04:21 PM
pcityranger pcityranger is offline
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Default Re: replaced entire cooling system and still overheating...HELP PLEASE!

Did you check the head gaskets? is that what you meant by compression test? Check your oil if it looks milky.
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  #3  
Old 10-06-2014, 04:27 PM
BigSwanny BigSwanny is offline
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Default Re: replaced entire cooling system and still overheating...HELP PLEASE!

Yes, the system is holding pressure and no evidence of head gasket leak. Oil looks good no smoke.
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Old 10-06-2014, 04:47 PM
dastev dastev is offline
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Either defective thermostat or water pump. Take the radiator cap off and start it and let it warm up just idleing and see If it is recirculating. These engines like motorcraft thermostats.

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Are u doing the work or a mechanic, make sure everything is put together in the right way.
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  #5  
Old 10-06-2014, 04:56 PM
Bob C. of Indiana Bob C. of Indiana is offline
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Default Re: replaced entire cooling system and still overheating...HELP PLEASE!

How many miles on your truck? Has it sat for a long time where scale has built up inside the engine,did you flush it?
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  #6  
Old 10-06-2014, 05:04 PM
BigSwanny BigSwanny is offline
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Default Re: replaced entire cooling system and still overheating...HELP PLEASE!

I've replaced the thermostat twice just to make sure. Also it's working properly because while it heats up it does open and circulate fluid. The upper and lower hoses get hot. The water pump is brand new. The fluid is circulating. Idk...this is driving me insane.

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The truck was sitting for a long period of time before I bought. I flushed the old radiator before I changed it. Have not flushed the entire cooling system. I'm not sure how to do it. The old radiator did have a lot of rust. This gives me hope. I'll try to get this done tomorrow and report back. Where would the scale and buildup get clogged if not in the radiator?

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170 k miles btw
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Old 10-06-2014, 05:08 PM
Bob C. of Indiana Bob C. of Indiana is offline
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Default Re: replaced entire cooling system and still overheating...HELP PLEASE!

Quote:
Originally Posted by BigSwanny View Post
I've replaced the thermostat twice just to make sure. Also it's working properly because while it heats up it does open and circulate fluid. The upper and lower hoses get hot. The water pump is brand new. The fluid is circulating. Idk...this is driving me insane.

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The truck was sitting for a long period of time before I bought. I flushed the old radiator before I changed it. Have not flushed the entire cooling system. I'm not sure how to do it. The old radiator did have a lot of rust. This gives me hope. I'll try to get this done tomorrow and report back. Where would the scale and buildup get clogged if not in the radiator?

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170 k miles btw
It could built up scale through the whole cooling system,heads,water jackets,heater core. Prestone used to sell a thing that looked like a garden hose fitting that was installed on your heater hose and you just ran water through the system to get all the junk out.
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  #8  
Old 10-06-2014, 05:21 PM
mxpxpunkrock1987 mxpxpunkrock1987 is offline
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Default Re: replaced entire cooling system and still overheating...HELP PLEASE!

i would replace the radiator to be safe
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  #9  
Old 10-07-2014, 12:14 PM
terryduanemiller terryduanemiller is offline
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I would start with Thermostat housing are known for cracking if sensors are over tightened (tapered threads), and take a gander at the freeze out plugs
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  #10  
Old 10-07-2014, 04:10 PM
Bob C. of Indiana Bob C. of Indiana is offline
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Default Re: replaced entire cooling system and still overheating...HELP PLEASE!

Are you sure it is overheating or is it just the gauge?

Last edited by Bob C. of Indiana; 10-07-2014 at 04:50 PM.
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  #11  
Old 10-07-2014, 04:46 PM
Danielr48888 Danielr48888 is offline
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i agree your guage could be messed up mine sometimes works sometimes dossnt
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  #12  
Old 10-09-2014, 07:34 AM
BigSwanny BigSwanny is offline
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Default Re: replaced entire cooling system and still overheating...HELP PLEASE!

Sorry about the delay guys. I had my entire cooling system flushed yesterday, nothing has changed. Still overheating. The guy that did the flush for me suggested a new etc sensor. I'm going to try to replace that myself this evening. When my truck shows that it's overheating on the gauge I have checked that it is building pressure, the top rad hose gets rock hard but when I take the rad cap off the fluid doesn't seem that hot. It's not boiling at all. The truck does start running rough and missing when the gauge reads hot and the check engine light comes on.

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I live in Florida, it rarely gets below 40 degrees here, I don't think it's the freeze plugs.
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  #13  
Old 10-09-2014, 07:35 AM
Bob C. of Indiana Bob C. of Indiana is offline
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Default Re: replaced entire cooling system and still overheating...HELP PLEASE!

Quote:
Originally Posted by BigSwanny View Post
Sorry about the delay guys. I had my entire cooling system flushed yesterday, nothing has changed. Still overheating. The guy that did the flush for me suggested a new etc sensor. I'm going to try to replace that myself this evening. When my truck shows that it's overheating on the gauge I have checked that it is building pressure, the top rad hose gets rock hard but when I take the rad cap off the fluid doesn't seem that hot. It's not boiling at all. The truck does start running rough and missing when the gauge reads hot and the check engine light comes on.
I have heard of people putting the thermostat in upside down but you stated you ran it without one so I am at a lose for any other ideas.have you tried a new rad.cap?
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  #14  
Old 10-09-2014, 09:23 AM
KyBucks10 KyBucks10 is offline
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Default Re: replaced entire cooling system and still overheating...HELP PLEASE!

Change out that sensor and report back how its acting. I know my truck gauge used to spike every time I turned it on. Didn't matter if it there was snow on the ground and it sat over night. Soon as I started it, the gauge spiked. Changed the sensor and all was well with the gauge.

If you need advice to where it is, take off the front drivers side tire and pull the plastic wheel well out. I used a 20" and 6" extension and still had the ratchet inside of the fender. The sensor it just above the oil filter. I think it has 2 wires running off it that just simply unplug from it. You will obviously lose coolant, so be prepared to catch that and refill. That's why I don't suggest taking it out from underneath. You don't want a face full of coolant.

As far as why it runs rough and the CEL light coming on once it does, I don't know. I would at least start with the sensor though. Its only a few bucks and maybe an hours time.
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  #15  
Old 10-09-2014, 10:10 AM
RoberticusMaximus RoberticusMaximus is offline
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Default Re: replaced entire cooling system and still overheating...HELP PLEASE!

the one thing i didn't read was that the coolant is overflowing into the reservoir. to me that sounds like it's the sensor...
...and i guess the computer could throw misfires based on a bad sensor signal. never had that happen to me. sub'd, i'd like to see how it gets fixed!
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fan clutch, overheating, radiator, thermostat, water pump

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