2003 Ford Thunderbird overheating

2003 FORD THUNDERBIRD
102,000 MILES
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JONATAN10
  • MEMBER
  • 1 POST
was driving down the freeway and my car overheated. took out the thermostat and still overheating the electric fan is turning on. i have pelenty of fluid in the radiator and the overflow canister. the check engine light did come on as well
Jun 8, 2013 at 6:04 PM
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CARADIODOC
  • ASE Certified Mechanic
  • 34,321 POSTS
  • ASE Certified Mechanic
First look at the cooling fins on the radiator to see if they're corroded away or they crumble real easily. If they're okay you might want to have your mechanic do a "sniffer" test at the radiator to check for a leaking cylinder head gasket.

In some cases removing the thermostat can cause overheating because the hot coolant circulates too fast and doesn't stay in the radiator long enough to give up its heat.
Jun 8, 2013 at 6:54 PM
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