1997 Ford Aerostar Almost overheating on hot days

1997 FORD AEROSTAR
154,000 MILES • 3.0L • 6 CYL • RWD • AUTOMATIC
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INSPECTOR212
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Dear Sirs, My van consistently gets to the upper end of the temp gauge when driving with the A/C on flat grade when the outside temp gets above 100, without the A/C it stays around the middle but will get to the upper end when I climb hills, it has not gotten to the red yet, but I don't push it either. It cools downs to operating temp in about five minutes at an idle. Normal operating temp is in-between the N & the O. Has new heater core and valve, new radiator, new water pump, hoses and thermostat, flushed the engine with prestone, new transmission filter and fluid, spark plugs. cked block for gas leakage, new radiator cap, drive belt (serpentine), new clutch fan also. A/C works well unless the engine has a load on it then it seems to just idle until the load is taken away (let off the gas) then it blows nicely. Was 115 yesterday and I couldn't use the A/C because it took the engine temp too close to the red line. This is my work van that I drive a bunch on the highway and in the mountains, my equipment I haul doesn't weigh more than 500#'s. Any assistance would be awesome and greatly appreciated, Sincerely, Greg
Aug 18, 2015 at 3:17 PM
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JACOBANDNICKOLAS
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Does the vehicle do this when you are at highway speeds or mostly when you are in town stop and go driving?
Aug 18, 2015 at 8:31 PM
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INSPECTOR212
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Mostly on the freeway, not much issue around town.
Aug 18, 2015 at 9:15 PM
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JACOBANDNICKOLAS
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That is the opposite of what I would have expected. Since you have replaced everything already, my next step would be to start checking things like engine timing, check if there is any plugging in the catalytic converter, a rich fuel mixture...
Aug 20, 2015 at 7:38 PM
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INSPECTOR212
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Had the back pressure cked yesterday and it was well in the specs with less than .5# back pressure.Thinking about a lower temp thermostat, 165, but worried about not getting to closed loop, which I believe the computer is set for 192. Will ck timing, don't know what I can do about the fuel mixture.
Aug 21, 2015 at 7:51 AM
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JACOBANDNICKOLAS
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A lower temp t-stat won't help if the one you presently have is working. Have you checked the radiator cap to make sure it is good?
Aug 24, 2015 at 7:08 PM