Community Forums

C-Leigh Racing · 02-20-2013, 06:46 AM

? Thermostat ?, I dont see that on your replaced list.
That is a small item, hard to get to, has a BIG job to do & sometimes over time will not work right.
Neil

JRMEDPHYS · 02-20-2013, 03:55 PM

After reviewing the bill it does indeed look like the thermostat was not replaced...at least I wasn't charged for it if it was.

How do you not change the T-stat? We changed all the hoses, the rad and the water pump. What's left besides the t-stat?

Bringing it back on Friday. Wish me luck.

A little more info for you. Warmed it up tonight in the driveway for about 15mins...gauge was sitting around the N. Revved it up to about 2500 and the needle on the gauge went down outside of normal almost to C. When I let it go back to idle, the gauge would go up all way to the L and then slowly settle back to about the R. This behaviour was reproducible although after about 30mins, the swing from high to low end was diminished.

AND...no check engine light the whole time...

Thermostat or air pocket...or maybe both?

C-Leigh Racing · 02-21-2013, 06:41 AM

It could be an air pocket, kinda hard to think so though because of how much you've ran the engine after all the repairs.

Radiator topped off before each start up ??.
Crazy how that gauge is working, might have something to do with the working of that gauge acting up.
These factory installed Ford gauges, more or less something just to look like a gauge.
Neil

Excell · 02-21-2013, 07:30 PM

It sounds like it is low on coolant.

JRMEDPHYS · 02-27-2013, 01:13 PM

Brought it back on Friday to the shop. While driving it there, the temp gauge was running about 3/4 normal and the CEL was lit.

He changed out the t-stat yesterday and took it for a ride. Noticed the fan clutch was not working properly and was going to replace it today. I never thought about it because I figured since it was new that it was operational

Does the gauge behaviour and the fan clutch coupled with bad t-stat make sense to anyone? (It kinda does to me but hoping I could have one of the experts convince me)

Will find out more hopefully tonight/tomorrow am.

topdownman · 02-27-2013, 01:18 PM

You should be able to hear that fan clutch kicking in when the temperature rises. It's loud.

JRMEDPHYS · 02-27-2013, 01:22 PM

That's just it...I didn't...at all.

Excell · 02-28-2013, 02:18 AM

It has to get pretty hot under there for that fan clutch to kick in .I have replaced a few of them in my 45 years as a tech but very few .Idling with the AC on should make it come on .

JRMEDPHYS · 03-01-2013, 07:36 AM

The tech is still working out this temp issue.

The CEL seemed to be related to a dropped vacuum line on the EGR. Since reattaching, the CEL has been off.

With the new t-stat, fan clutch and temp sensor, the temp gauge is still not happy. It's moving up and down the normal range quite a bit. Coolant level is good. He put his meter on it yesterday and it did not move that much (I can't quantify that for you). His next step is putting in a manual gauge.

We have basically changed the entire cooling system at this point. The temp gauge never used to move around like this at all. Why the change? Any ideas? I'm still wondering if the *right* t-stat has been installed...

C-Leigh Racing · 03-01-2013, 07:54 AM

Normally 180~190* T stat is what used, but some opt to go lower for summer use & then switch back for winter.

If that gauge was working correctly before the radiator change, suspect something not hooked back up correct, wire pinched somehow or maybe wires that were tied up out of the way, untied during the repair & forgot about & now touching the exhaust, melted causing a short.
As confined as the front area of a M/H is, things can get missed cause they cant be seen real easy & then problems start poping up. Dont make no difference in who or how old the grease monkey is doing the work, things happen.
Neil
Neil

JRMEDPHYS · 03-01-2013, 08:46 AM

Confirmed the t-stat is 195 degree from Ford.

I agree Neil. It's certainly possible that there is a bad wire. He's looking.

cb1000rider · 03-01-2013, 07:23 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by JRMEDPHYS

We have basically changed the entire cooling system at this point. The temp gauge never used to move around like this at all. Why the change? Any ideas? I'm still wondering if the *right* t-stat has been installed...

My guess is that it's a coolant "burp" or other flow obstruction that's causing heating/cooling at the sensor. I haven't done any work on the Ford cooling system, so I don't know of a manual bleed, but any basic mechanic would start there...

JRMEDPHYS · 03-05-2013, 07:20 AM

Well, looks like we have finally narrowed the problem down to a defective water pump. The put a new one in over the weekend and all is now well.

If you ever have the misfortune of needing work done and are in the Windsor (Ontario) Area, Fletcher's Auto Service. Brian is a really honest guy and did a super job!

Thanks for hanging in there with me...subford, C-Leigh Racing, Nick-B, Excell, cb1000rider...many, many thanks for your insight and comments.

Now...on to the Saf-T-Plus, rear track bar and sway bar bushings! Starting to get warmer...getting excited for this summer!

C-Leigh Racing · 03-06-2013, 08:11 AM

There you go, just because something suppose to be new in a box, dont make it any good.
I bet the mechanic had some cross words to say about that pump & the brand.
Neil