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Overheating

Tiny
CHUCK Q
  • MEMBER
  • 2004 FORD FREESTAR
  • 107,000 MILES
Okay I'm lost, 2004 Ford Freestar, 3.9, 107000 miles. Overheats when driven over 60mph, Thermostat has been changed twice, Radiator is new, lower radiator hose is new, electic fan relays have been checked and appear to be working, Fans both work, heads have been removed and there were no blown gaskets or noticible cracks, Exhaust gas test is negative, leak down test is negative, when overheating the radiator overflows so we know it is not the gage. Removing the thermost seens to help some. A can of block sealer did not help, The only possible related item is that I get AC but no heat. This seems to be a problem with the dash heat control valve, two mechanics have given up. I, m also a mechanic and I am out of ideas. Can you see something I have missed? Thanks
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Tuesday, July 10th, 2012 AT 7:13 PM

12 Replies

Tiny
ASEMASTER6371
  • MECHANIC
  • 52,797 POSTS
I hope you put the thermostat back in.

You may have a block issue from the overheating. You said the heads were pressure checked for cracks? If not, get it done.

Otherwise, it sounds like you covered all the bases.

Roy
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Tuesday, July 10th, 2012 AT 7:17 PM
Tiny
CHUCK Q
  • MEMBER
  • 4 POSTS
Since there was no one locally to test the heads the shop reinstalled them. The thermostat is back in. The confusing issue is that I can drive this car for at least two hours below sixty and the gage stays normal. I blast up to 70 and the engine haets up. As soon as I pull over the temp drops to normal within 30 sec.
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Tuesday, July 10th, 2012 AT 11:20 PM
Tiny
ASEMASTER6371
  • MECHANIC
  • 52,797 POSTS
It sounds like a circulation issue either with the water pump or the radiator. Was there much gunk in the system?

Roy
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Wednesday, July 11th, 2012 AT 12:18 AM
Tiny
CHUCK Q
  • MEMBER
  • 4 POSTS
Radiator was replaced. I think I have it narrowed down to the lower rad hose. Even though it was only 6-7" of free space I think the hose was sucking closed at higher RPM. When I slowed down the hose would open back up. The radiator shop it appears did not change the hoses. Rep;aced the coolant put in a new hose, lowered the thermostat to 180 deg. And after 45 miles in 85 deg heat the temp is staying normal. Thanks for the help. Sometimes you just think you are going nuts going nuts when the regular things do no not work
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Sunday, July 15th, 2012 AT 9:13 PM
Tiny
ASEMASTER6371
  • MECHANIC
  • 52,797 POSTS
Did you change the rad cap?

Roy
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Monday, July 16th, 2012 AT 12:03 AM
Tiny
CHUCK Q
  • MEMBER
  • 4 POSTS
Sorry I was out of town for a week. Do you think that will help. It has a plastic pressurize overfloe tank
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Friday, July 20th, 2012 AT 2:26 PM
Tiny
ASEMASTER6371
  • MECHANIC
  • 52,797 POSTS
Change the rad cap as it may be bad or full of crap.

Roy
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Friday, July 20th, 2012 AT 11:29 PM
Tiny
AARON ELLIOTT
  • MEMBER
  • 1 POST
It maybe 5 years to late but anybody think to check for a bad or clogged heater core? No heat is a huge indicator that maybe the issue.
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Friday, December 1st, 2017 AT 7:21 PM
Tiny
KEN L
  • MASTER CERTIFIED MECHANIC
  • 47,513 POSTS
Great addition to this thread! Please feel free to help out whenever you are on the site :)

Cheers, Ken
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Monday, December 4th, 2017 AT 1:30 PM
Tiny
DAVID HARVESTINE
  • MEMBER
  • 2 POSTS
I had a 2000 F150 with the same problem, tried everything, drove me crazy. Looked up the owners manual online and stated a certain kind of Coolant, I drained the system and used what they recommended and I could not believe my eyes! Good Luck.
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Saturday, November 23rd, 2019 AT 8:48 AM
Tiny
DAVID HARVESTINE
  • MEMBER
  • 2 POSTS
Here is a copy of the owners manual for the 2004 freestar. Trust me, it's worth a shot! â€

Add Motorcraft Premium Gold Engine Coolant
(yellow-colored), VC-7†A (U.S, except CA and OR), VC-7†B
(CA and OR only), meeting Ford Specification
WSS-M97B51†A1.
Note: Use of Motorcraft Cooling System Stop Leak Pellets, VC-6, may
darken the color of Motorcraft Premium Gold Engine Coolant from
yellow to golden tan.
†Do not add/mix an orange-colored, extended life coolant such
as Motorcraft Speciality Orange Engine Coolant, VC-2 (US) or
CXC-209 (Canada), meeting Ford specification WSS-M97B44†D
with the factory-filled coolant. Mixing Motorcraft Speciality Orange
Engine Coolant or any orange-colored extended life product with your
factory filled coolant can result in degraded corrosion protection.
†A large amount of water without engine coolant may be added, in case
of emergency, to reach a vehicle service location. In this instance, the
cooling system must be drained and refilled with a 50/50 mixture of
engine coolant and distilled water as soon as possible. Water alone
(without engine coolant) can cause engine damage from corrosion,
overheating or freezing.
†Do not use alcohol, methanol, brine or any engine coolants
mixed with alcohol or methanol antifreeze (coolant). Alcohol
and other liquids can cause engine damage from overheating or
freezing.
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Saturday, November 23rd, 2019 AT 9:00 AM
Tiny
KEN L
  • MASTER CERTIFIED MECHANIC
  • 47,513 POSTS
Please feel free to use 2CarPros anytime!
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Saturday, November 23rd, 2019 AT 11:13 AM

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