1989 Ford Thunderbird Temp Gauge Indicates Overheating, but

Tiny
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!
Monday, October 18th, 2010 AT 5:31 PM

7 Replies

Tiny
JACOBANDNICKOLAS
  • MECHANIC
  • 109,755 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
Tiny
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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.
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Tuesday, October 26th, 2010 AT 6:07 PM
Tiny
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Start the engine, turn the heater on, and loosten the return line from the heater core. If there is air in there, it should come out. You will, however, loose some coolant too.
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Tuesday, October 26th, 2010 AT 8:34 PM
Tiny
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Aha! Thank you sir!
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Saturday, October 30th, 2010 AT 1:25 AM
Tiny
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Let me know if it helps.

Joe
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Monday, November 1st, 2010 AT 12:54 PM
Tiny
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Yes, that must have been the problem. Thank you very much for your help!
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Wednesday, November 3rd, 2010 AT 9:51 PM
Tiny
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Glad to help. Let us know if you have questions in the future, and thanks for using 2carpros. Com.

Joe
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Thursday, November 4th, 2010 AT 7:37 AM

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