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Engine overheating

Tiny
MAHDOBEID
  • MEMBER
  • 2005 FORD EXPLORER
  • 6 CYL
  • 2WD
  • AUTOMATIC
  • 150,000 MILES
Temperature gauge reaches the H level when I drive one hundred miles the engine becomes very hot and stopped on the road the vapor goes out of the cap. I drive the car in Dubai hot country. If problem in the head how can I know? Please tell me what to do? I want to drive from Dubai to Jordan 1,700 miles. Please advise me.
With my best regards.
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Tuesday, June 22nd, 2010 AT 6:36 PM

39 Replies

Tiny
JACOBANDNICKOLAS
  • MECHANIC
  • 109,747 POSTS
The engine can overheat for many reasons. First, have you tried replacing the thermostat? Has the radiator ever been flushed? Are you using coolant or water in the system? It can be a head gasket, but check the basic things first.

Let me know.

Joe
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Tuesday, June 22nd, 2010 AT 6:55 PM
Tiny
TAHMED
  • MEMBER
  • 2 POSTS
  • 2002 FORD EXPLORER
  • 6 CYL
  • 4WD
  • AUTOMATIC
  • 98,000 MILES
Sometimes temperature shoot up to it max and than after few minute it cools down and temperature gauge comes back to it normal. Also, no heat.
Have replaced thermostat twice.
It heats up again and cools down fast and does it again all over again for last few months.
Now when it overheats the temperature gauge stays on max.
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Tuesday, August 28th, 2018 AT 6:19 PM (Merged)
Tiny
JACOBANDNICKOLAS
  • MECHANIC
  • 109,747 POSTS
If the coolant is full, thermostat is good, the radiator is clean, and the fan is working properly, I would say you have a bad head gasket. Does the vehicle overheat at highway speeds?
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Tuesday, August 28th, 2018 AT 6:19 PM (Merged)
Tiny
TAHMED
  • MEMBER
  • 2 POSTS
It also happens at highway speeds, the temperature gauge go to max for a minute and come back to normal.
After showing to local mechanic he figured out the coolant was getting low and there was no leakage, he also think that it was a head gasket issue. For time being he suggested to check the coolant every third day and if it is low fill it up. This might be the temporary fix.

How much it cost to change the head gasket?
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Tuesday, August 28th, 2018 AT 6:19 PM (Merged)
Tiny
JACOBANDNICKOLAS
  • MECHANIC
  • 109,747 POSTS
Average around here is about $500.00. But that may be different where you live. You can "Chemical Test" the cooling system with a kit available at most auto parts stores, it detects exhaust gasses in the cooling system. If you continue to overheat the engine you will cause more damage than just head gaskets, I would suggest fixing it ASAP so it does not cost you even more.
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Tuesday, August 28th, 2018 AT 6:19 PM (Merged)
Tiny
DUBYACT
  • MEMBER
  • 0 POST
Mine did the exact same thing. Took in in to have the head gaskets done and they found a cracked head. Be sure to check for cracks, runs like a new truck now.
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Tuesday, August 28th, 2018 AT 6:19 PM (Merged)
Tiny
TDT1799
  • MEMBER
  • 2 POSTS
  • 2002 FORD EXPLORER
  • 6 CYL
  • 2WD
  • AUTOMATIC
  • 120,000 MILES
Had the thermostat and heat sensor sender replaced but the temperature gauge will sometime shoot up to HOT. I don't think it is actually overheating but don't want to take a chance. This is my daughter's car. Has anyone seen this problem?
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Tuesday, August 28th, 2018 AT 6:19 PM (Merged)
Tiny
MMPRINCE4000
  • MECHANIC
  • 8,548 POSTS
Best way to find out, is to have car scanned in live data mode and look at coolant temp the PCM is seeing. If different from gauge, then temp sender or gauge itself.
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Tuesday, August 28th, 2018 AT 6:19 PM (Merged)
Tiny
TDT1799
  • MEMBER
  • 2 POSTS
Where is the PCM reading coolant temp? It is my understanding that the gauge and PCM both get the temp for the one sensor beside the thermostat. Does this car have a second coolant sensor.
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Tuesday, August 28th, 2018 AT 6:19 PM (Merged)
Tiny
MMPRINCE4000
  • MECHANIC
  • 8,548 POSTS
There are two senders, one for gauge and one for PCM.

You can also have Ford test gauge itself.
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Tuesday, August 28th, 2018 AT 6:19 PM (Merged)
Tiny
KBUSCH133
  • MEMBER
  • 2 POSTS
  • 2002 FORD EXPLORER
  • V8
  • 4WD
  • AUTOMATIC
  • 104,000 MILES
My explorer started overheating 2 summers ago. I had the clutch fan replaced during the fall and it seemed to fix the problem. Last summer it started over heating again. It only over heats when it is hot outside as I drove it all winter with no problems but with summer coming up I need to get it fixed. I am not losing and coolant at all, except when it overheated and came out of the over flow. I changed the thermostat several times and changed the over flow cap, I do not have a radiator cap. Does anyone have any ideas? I'm thinking its the water pump or radiator but how can I check them without having to change them if thats not the problem. Please help. Thank you
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Tuesday, August 28th, 2018 AT 6:19 PM (Merged)
Tiny
JACOBANDNICKOLAS
  • MECHANIC
  • 109,747 POSTS
Have you ever had the radiator flushed? As far as checking them, they both need removed to properly check them. At that point, it's worth replacing the part. However, if you never had the radiator flushed, I would start with that.

After thought: Is the engine running properly?

Let me know.
Joe
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Tuesday, August 28th, 2018 AT 6:19 PM (Merged)
Tiny
KBUSCH133
  • MEMBER
  • 2 POSTS
It has been running properly until just recently it started cutting out when I first start driving, which I think is the fuel filter. I am going to change it but have not had a chance yet.
I have not flushed my radiator. Is there any way I can flush it myself or do I need to take it in somewhere and get it done?
Thank you for your response
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Tuesday, August 28th, 2018 AT 6:19 PM (Merged)
Tiny
JACOBANDNICKOLAS
  • MECHANIC
  • 109,747 POSTS
You can do it yourself. Most any parts store will sell flush kits. Just follow the directions listed on them. It isn't hard.

Let me know if you run into trouble with the flush or the running problem. My only concern is a bad head gasket.

Joe
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Tuesday, August 28th, 2018 AT 6:19 PM (Merged)
Tiny
KOUKI 240SX
  • MEMBER
  • 4 POSTS
  • 2002 FORD EXPLORER
  • 6 CYL
  • FWD
  • AUTOMATIC
  • 115,000 MILES
Hello I was woundering if you know what going on with my suv. Today I turn on the car and I heard something pop but I thought it was no big deal, then I went to pick up my soon and as I waited with the car on and out of no where the rpms when up to 3000rpms by it's self. After that on my way home I started to smell something like oil burning but when I got home the hood started smokeing. And I pothe hood open and I saw this green color liquid that I think was the coolent and the engine was over heating. What could this be? The thermostat houseing? (When I put water in the car it just leaks out of the thermostat houseing)
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Tuesday, August 28th, 2018 AT 6:19 PM (Merged)
Tiny
JACOBANDNICKOLAS
  • MECHANIC
  • 109,747 POSTS
THe green liquid sounds like coolant. However, is the thermostat cracked or leaking at the gasket or hose?

Let me know so I can etter guide you.

Joe
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Tuesday, August 28th, 2018 AT 6:19 PM (Merged)
Tiny
KOUKI 240SX
  • MEMBER
  • 4 POSTS
Yes it's the gasket it's leaking and the engine never cooles down it's says heated up for awhile.
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Tuesday, August 28th, 2018 AT 6:19 PM (Merged)
Tiny
JACOBANDNICKOLAS
  • MECHANIC
  • 109,747 POSTS
Replace the thermostat. When you get the new one, it will come with a gasket. Inspect the thermostat housing to make sure there is no damage and just clean everything and install the new parts.

Let me know if that takes care of it.

Joe
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Tuesday, August 28th, 2018 AT 6:19 PM (Merged)
Tiny
KOUKI 240SX
  • MEMBER
  • 4 POSTS
Yes the temostat is broken I can tell and today I'm going to get a new one at the ford dealer I'll tell you if that dose fix it thanks alot for your help
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Tuesday, August 28th, 2018 AT 6:19 PM (Merged)
Tiny
KOUKI 240SX
  • MEMBER
  • 4 POSTS
Good news I changed the termostat houseing and got a new gasket and now it works just fine and it dose not leak out anymore! And now the explorer dose not overheat and it dose not smell like burning coolent. Thanks alot for your help. I'll be back when ever I have another problem. And I'll tell my friends about this web site.
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Tuesday, August 28th, 2018 AT 6:19 PM (Merged)

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