1989 Ford Thunderbird Temp Gauge Indicates Overheating, but

MVICKROY

MEMBER
1989 FORD THUNDERBIRD
6 CYL
2WD
AUTOMATIC
189,000 MILES

The temp gauge in my T-bird indicates that it is overheating periodically. When this happens, I have noticed that if I simply stop and put the car in park, wait for a few seconds, and put it back in drive, then the issue is resolved for the rest of the trip. Occasionally, all I have to do is slow way down, and it corrects itself.

When this happens, I noticed that the air coming out of the vents is cool, even if it is set for hot. Once the indicator goes back to normal, then the hot air comes out. There are no smells of coolant, which I have noticed in every other car I have had that has overheated.

I have checked the coolant levels and ensured that there are no leaks. I have checked that the fan is running when this occurs.

What should be my next step in troubleshooting this? What does this issue indicate?

Thanks!

7 Replies

JACOBANDNICKOLAS

MECHANIC
109,645 POSTS

If you loose heat, it sounds like there is an air pocket and the system needs bled. Have you checked that?

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Monday, October 25th, 2010 AT 10:20 AM

MVICKROY

MEMBER
4 POSTS

I can't find any valves that would allow me to bleed the air out of the system. I've looked in my Chilton manual for how to do this, but it doesn't offer any info. I've found some websites that discuss the process, but they all refer to these valves that I don't seem to have. Is there some other trick to bleeding the system? Should I try just draining all the coolant and replacing it? I don't know where an air pocket might be.