1990 Ford F-150 Temp

BADCS79

MEMBER
1990 FORD F-150
6 CYL
4WD
MANUAL
260,000 MILES

My truck temp guage moves a lot while driving. More than it used to. After driving for about 30 minutes or more it doesnt want to start again. Just cranks and cranks. Let it sit for 30 minutes or more it will fire again. My radiator cap is not hot. New rust on oil dipstick. Creme sludge on bottom of oil cap. Just changed oil and looked normal.

5 Replies

JACOBANDNICKOLAS

MECHANIC
109,645 POSTS

Is there a cream on the oil cap? I can't tell what you ment to say. Also, has the check engine light come on? Finally, have you ever checked for spark and fuel to the engine when it won't start. Chances are one or both will be missing. I need to know which.

One last thing, check the EEC relay in the power distribution box under the hood. When the car doesn't start, switch it with another relay with the same part number to see if it makes a change. You can also listen for the fuel pump when turning the key on to see if it is working.

Let me know what you find.
Joe

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Thursday, March 25th, 2010 AT 1:32 PM

BADCS79

MEMBER
3 POSTS

No check engine light. There is a creme on the oil cap. Also a little in the breather tube that feeds to the air filter box. I hear the fuel pump start everytime the key is turned. I changed my thermostat cause my temp guage was moving a lot. Had to keep moving to stay cool. Turning on heater did not help, actually made temp increase. So When I refilled the antifreeze I fired it up. My RPM's went really high, the truck shook hard and I heard what sounds like water running out. What I saw was antifreeze pouring out the oil pan gasket. I just had it towed to a repair shop.

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Thursday, March 25th, 2010 AT 5:47 PM

JACOBANDNICKOLAS

MECHANIC
109,645 POSTS

THe creamy substance you saw can be caused by a bad PCV valve. I'm not sure how the coolant could come out of the oil pan. It is sealed. Are you sure it wasn't a freeze plug? Also, is there a change that you bumped the throttle return spring when you replaced the t-stat?

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Thursday, March 25th, 2010 AT 9:18 PM

BADCS79

MEMBER
3 POSTS

I thought about changing the PCV valve. I checked it out and it looked fine. But since the truck did some weird things I didnt get a chance to just go buy a new one. Dont think I bumped the throttle spring. Its all enclosed. This truck has had a history of things happening that sometimes make no sence. Maybe if I would have let the truck run a little longer it would have settled down. I just didnt want to do any hard damage. Especially after just having my vavle seats rebored and replaced$$$$.

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Thursday, March 25th, 2010 AT 9:30 PM

JACOBANDNICKOLAS