1997 Ford Escort car overheating and then temp goes down

CJBATKS

MEMBER
1997 FORD ESCORT

Engine Cooling problem
1997 Ford Escort 4 cyl Two Wheel Drive Automatic

A supposed mechanic decided to drain my radiator by pulling the bottom hose and starting the motor to get all the fluid out of the block.
Now I can only drive it about a mile when the heat gage goes up to hot. Tried belching it and still doing the same thing. But weird part is the temp will go right back down on it's own.
Have checked oil and no water in it. Really hoping I will not have to replace head or gasket
Help this is my only car and I live 20 miles from town
Carol

3 Replies

BILLYMAC

MECHANIC
2,204 POSTS

Hi carol
is your car loseing any coolant?
Do you see any smoke or steam, a lot of steam from your exhaust?
Do you have a new t stat?
Is the new stat installed right?
You can remove t stat and see if it still get, s hot without a t stat. Well let me know we can fix this. Billymac

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Monday, August 17th, 2009 AT 4:33 PM

CJBATKS

MEMBER
4 POSTS

It isn't smoking. No water out of tail pipe. No oil in the water or water in the oil.I pulled the t stat thinking it might be the problem. Haven't tried it since. I love this old car and really can's afford a new head, etc. Thank you for any help

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Monday, August 17th, 2009 AT 6:13 PM

BILLYMAC

MECHANIC
2,204 POSTS

Hi Carol.
You said you pulled the t stat, did you drive the car without and it made no siff>?

No smoke no coolant loss no oil water mixed. Then no head gasket prob or head. Let me know after you drive the car to be sure it is not fixed.

Billymac

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Monday, August 17th, 2009 AT 6:48 PM