Overheating

Good evening.

Was it overheating prior to the repairs?

How did you bleed the cooling system?

What I usually do is to fill the cooling system with the thermostat housing off until the coolant gets to the top. Then I install the thermostat. That gets all the air out of the block.

Roy

https://www.2carpros.com/articles/engine-overheating-or-running-hot

Draining

WARNING: To avoid personal injury, do not unscrew the radiator cap while the engine is operating or hot. The cooling system is under pressure; steam and hot liquid can come out forcefully when the cap is loosened slightly. Failure to follow these instructions may result in personal injury.

CAUTION: The coolant must be recovered in a suitable, clean container for reuse. If the coolant is contaminated, it must be recycled or disposed of correctly.

CAUTION: All vehicles are filled with Motorcraft Premium Gold Engine Coolant. Always fill the cooling system with the same type coolant that is present in the system. Do not mix coolant types.

NOTE: The addition of Cooling System Stop Leak Pellets darkens Motorcraft Premium Gold Engine Coolant from yellow to golden tan.

NOTE: Less than 80 percent of the coolant capacity can be recovered with the engine in the vehicle. Dirty, rusty or contaminated coolant requires replacement.

1. Make sure the engine is cool.
2. Wrap a thick cloth around the radiator cap. Slowly turn the cap counterclockwise (left) until the pressure begins to release.
3. Step back while the pressure releases.
4. When you are sure all the pressure has been released, use the cloth to turn and remove the cap.
5. Place a suitable container below the radiator draincock. Drain the coolant.
Tighten the radiator draincock when finished.

Filling and Bleeding with RADKITPLUS
1. Using the special tool, install the RADKITPLUS and follow the RADKITPLUS manufacturer's instructions to fill and bleed the cooling system.

Filling and Bleeding without RADKITPLUS

CAUTION: Engine coolant provides freeze protection, boil protection, cooling efficiency and corrosion protection to the engine and cooling components. In order to obtain these protections, the engine coolant must be maintained at the correct concentration and fluid level. When adding engine coolant, use a 50/50 mixture of distilled water and engine coolant.

To maintain the integrity of the coolant and the cooling system:
Add Motorcraft Premium Gold Engine Coolant. Always fill the cooling system with the same type of coolant that was drained from the system. Do not mix coolant types.
The addition of Cooling System Stop Leak Pellets darkens Motorcraft Premium Gold Engine Coolant from yellow to golden tan.
Do not add orange-colored Motorcraft Specialty Orange Engine Coolant. Mixing coolants may degrade the coolant's corrosion protection.
Do not add alcohol, methanol or brine, or any engine coolants mixed with alcohol or methanol antifreeze. These can cause engine damage from overheating or freezing.
Do not mix with recycled coolant. Use of such a coolant may harm the engine and cooling system components.

CAUTION: Turn the radiator cap clockwise until it stops (approximately 135 degrees). Failure to tighten the radiator cap may result in engine damage.

1. Fill the radiator through the radiator filler neck until the coolant level is at the bottom of the filler neck.
2. Install the radiator cap.
3. Fill the coolant expansion tank until the coolant reaches the COLD FILL mark.
4. Select the maximum heater temperature and blower motor speed settings. Position the control to discharge air from the A/C vents to the instrument panel.

5. CAUTION: If the air discharge remains cool and the engine coolant temperature gauge does not move, the engine coolant level is low in the engine and must be filled. Stop the engine, allow it to cool and fill the cooling system.

Run the engine until it reaches operating temperature.
6. Turn the engine off and allow the engine to cool.
7. Add more coolant mixture to the coolant expansion tank until the coolant level is at the COLD FILL mark.
8. Start the engine and allow it to idle. While the engine is idling, feel for hot air from the A/C vents.
Hot air should discharge from the A/C vents. The engine coolant temperature gauge should maintain a stabilized reading in the middle of the NORMAL range and the upper radiator hose should feel hot to the touch.

9. Check the engine coolant level in the coolant expansion tank and fill it as necessary.
10. Repeat previous 5 steps as necessary.

Okay, then you need to bleed the system of air. That sounds like your issue.

Roy

Yes it can. Is the fan clutch working? Is it locked in?

What kind of thermostat did you use?

Roy

I am concerned with this. The temp gauge should not change that quickly.

I am wondering if the sender unit is the issue. I would try replacing it with a new one and see if it still has the issue.

Roy

Removal and Installation
1. Drain the cooling system.
2. Disconnect the engine coolant temperature (ECT) sensor electrical connector.
3. Remove the clip and the ECT sensor.
4. To install, reverse the removal procedure.