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1997 Ford Contour over heating

Tiny
KCREW14
  • MEMBER
  • 1997 FORD CONTOUR
  • 133,456 MILES
The other day after driving about 60 miles, went under my Hood to check brake fluid (it was fine ), but my coolant was boiling. I was told that it was my thermostat. I replaced the thermostat today, I turned the key to the on position and my temp gauge went way past the red marker, I haven't ran the car in days, so what is the problem now?
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Monday, August 19th, 2013 AT 6:22 PM

9 Replies

Tiny
JACOBANDNICKOLAS
  • MECHANIC
  • 109,645 POSTS
If the temp gauge is showing the engine is hot without even starting it, my first guess would be the temp sending unit.
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Monday, August 19th, 2013 AT 6:37 PM
Tiny
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Where is that located, also is it Ok to still run the car, I started it and let it run for 15 minutes and the engine was barely warm to the touch
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Monday, August 19th, 2013 AT 7:27 PM
Tiny
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If it isn't overheating, then chances are it is okay to drive. As far as the sending unit, they are usually located near the thermostat housing.
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Monday, August 19th, 2013 AT 7:32 PM
Tiny
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I unplugged the sending unit and the temp gauge is still past the red, how do I know if my coolant is circulating properly?
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Monday, August 19th, 2013 AT 7:56 PM
Tiny
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If you disconnected it and it is still past hot, there must be a short to power in the wiring.
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Tuesday, August 20th, 2013 AT 6:00 PM
Tiny
KCREW14
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Do you think the new thermostat fixed the boiling of the coolant? I was to scared to test it because of the reading of the guage
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Tuesday, August 20th, 2013 AT 6:47 PM
Tiny
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If the gauge goes right to hot, then give it a try to see if it overheats. You mentioned that you ran it for 15 minutes and it didn't get hot, so I would say the thermostat did the job.

Let me know what you find.
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Wednesday, August 21st, 2013 AT 6:42 PM
Tiny
KCREW14
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I pushed it as hard as I could, still not too hot nor is the coolant boiling, , thanks for you input man
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Wednesday, August 21st, 2013 AT 7:05 PM
Tiny
JACOBANDNICKOLAS
  • MECHANIC
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Glad to help. Let me know if you have other questions.

Joe
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Wednesday, August 21st, 2013 AT 7:06 PM

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