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Engine Foxbody coolant getting dirty

  • Thread starter Thread starter Jakub2537
  • Start date Start date Oct 7, 2024
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    foxbody 5.0
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Jakub2537

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Apr 15, 2023
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Oct 7, 2024
#1
  • Oct 7, 2024
  • #1
My foxbody mustang has been sitting for a long time and about 3 years ago I got it redone meaning re sealed the entire motor, since then the car has been over heating because the coolant kept getting dirty and I made sure it’s not oil it’s just mud or dirt, I’ve replaced the thermostat from a 160 to a 180 which made things worse so I’ll go back to the 160 and I flushed the rad and block and it’s still brown from dirt, my mechanic said it’s the metal heater core tube since I already by-passed it, what is the issue.

The photo is what keeps coming out of the rad. And it brand new with less than 500 km.
 

Noobz347

Stangnet Facilities Maint Tech... Er... Janitor
Admin Dude
Jan 4, 1985
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Oct 8, 2024
#2
  • Oct 8, 2024
  • #2
So, disconnect the heat line hoses and see what's hiding inside.

If they look worn, be prepared to replace them.

The supply hose should have a metal restrictor inside of it. Check it and see if it has completely deteriorated.


Had the thing been sitting with just water in it all that time or was it a proper mix of water and coolant?
 

KRUISR

10 Year Member
Apr 16, 2015
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Oct 8, 2024
#3
  • Oct 8, 2024
  • #3
What is the debris? dirt, stones, rubber, that stop leak stuff some people like to use?

You say your car overheats with a 180 t-stat. Describe the rest of the cooling system - Rad (2 core, 3 core, OEM style or aftermarket aluminum)?, Fan (clutch fan or electric)? A/C or not? Anything bypassed or re-routed?
 

85GTStangGuy

5 Year Member
May 19, 2021
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Oct 8, 2024
#4
  • Oct 8, 2024
  • #4
That larger piece of debris in the middle left of the pic appears to have a circular shape to it.... doesn't look like it's "just mud or dirt".... more like it's an edge of a gasket opening or an o-ring or something like that.

When the engine was resealed, was the water pump replaced? or re-gasketed?

When reading your post, this post in another thread came to mind...

Progress Thread Post in thread '1993 LX Hatch Progress'

Oct 4, 2024
So check this out...
As I have mentioned earlier, my engine is a 1994, which means the timing cover was replaced to accommodate the older fox water pump. Well, during coolant filling, it start pissing a stream out of the bottom of the pump. Took the pump off and discovered this:


Gasket doesn't line up correctly. Upon further research, this timing cover is a reverse rotation and uses a different gasket to mate with the plate on the pump. I found the correct gasket...should be here in a few days. The part that matters is the direction of pump flow matching with belt...
  • Mac131
 
Reactions: Mac131

Mac131

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Aug 9, 2024
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Oct 29, 2024
#5
  • Oct 29, 2024
  • #5
To the OP...have you figured this out yet?
 
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