overheating

1997 FORD ESCORT

100,000 MILES • 0.6L • 4 CYL • 2WD • AUTOMATIC

NOELLE FRIES

MEMBER
1 POST

first I was having white smoke coming out the exhaust after putting oil in it. after repairing a hose from the motor to air filter. then like a few weeks later I filled up the the coolant bottle notice a metal prong on the cap that's when it started overheating. it goes up and down while driving sometime it goes up then it goes back down slowly like if the fan is cutting on and off while driving. what is going on? how do I fix it?

Aug 6, 2021 at 6:10 AM

KASEKENNY

✓Experienced Mechanic
18,907 POSTS

Sounds like there could be an air pocket or even a failing head gasket.

We need to start with checking for a head gasket issue but the fact that the temp is coming up and down shows the system is able to cool the engine but once it cools down, it just heats again because it is running hot. Basically these types of issues only get worse so it best to try and find it now before it gets worse.

Here are some guides that will get us up to speed. Does it still have white smoke?

https://www.2carpros.com/articles/white-smoke-or-steam-coming-from-the-exhaust-pipe

https://www.2carpros.com/articles/head-gasket-blown-test

https://www.2carpros.com/articles/symptoms-of-an-overheating-engine

https://youtu.be/071_-NGrk5s

If the temp is going up and down then the fan is responding to engine temperature which is most likely what is cooling it back down when it kicks on.

If the head gasket passes then we need to pressure test the system and make sure there are no leaks and that it holds pressure.

If it does then I would suggest just changing the coolant and bleeding the system so that we ensure there are no leaks.

https://www.2carpros.com/articles/coolant-flush-and-refill-all-cars

Please run through all this info and let us know what you find.

Thanks

Aug 8, 2021 at 2:09 AM

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