Random overheating....need help!

fordman54935

Member

Jan 10, 2003

301

0

16

Wisconsin

Jul 18, 2005

#1

• Jul 18, 2005

• #1

I've been having a strange overheating problem lately - Friday night i drove my 88 GT all over town for an hour and the temp never got above 180, then Saturday night it overheated in about 10 minutes. The car warmed up to temp normally and after about 10 minutes it just went straight up to 210, yakking coolant all over the ground. I let it cool down and drove it home, and the temp was fine. The water pump, t-stat, and hoses are all new, and my radiator is a big FMS unit. I know replacing the cap wont hurt (will do when I get home) but do you think it might be the fan clutch? It's speed climbs with engine rpm and seems to move tons of air. What do you guys think?

 

HyPer-50

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Jun 26, 2003

377

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16

Woodstock, GA

Jul 18, 2005

#2

• Jul 18, 2005

• #2

Might want to check the head gasket... I know I had random overheating and had changed out the radiator, waterpump, got an electric fan... couldn't figure it out, and it wouldn't smoke until they pressurized the coolant system and cranked it up.. and sure enough tons of white smoke. Just an idea.

 

fordman54935

Member

Jan 10, 2003

301

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16

Wisconsin

Jul 18, 2005

#3

• Jul 18, 2005

• #3

I would sure like to think its not a head gasket because I just put Thumper heads on a few months ago. There is no smoke and the oil looks great.

 

GroverDill

GoldMember

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Aug 18, 1999

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Demotte IN 46310

Jul 18, 2005

#4

• Jul 18, 2005

• #4

air in the coolant system?

 

A

ac09lude

New Member

Jun 17, 2005

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Long Island, N.Y.

Jul 18, 2005

#5

• Jul 18, 2005

• #5

Fan clutch - mine was doing the same thing and i just did the fan clutch and all is good now!!! give it a try

 

DTT92LX

New Member

Oct 28, 2003

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Downingtown, PA

Jul 18, 2005

#6

• Jul 18, 2005

• #6

Also, maybe that new t-stat is just a lemon. Happened to me once...

 

fordman54935

Member

Jan 10, 2003

301

0

16

Wisconsin

Jul 18, 2005

#7

• Jul 18, 2005

• #7

DTT92LX said:

Also, maybe that new t-stat is just a lemon. Happened to me once...

Click to expand...

Its funny you mention that, I actually had to put another one in here already because the first one didnt open.

 

HISSIN50

"How long does it take to get help in here?

15 Year Member

Nov 29, 1999

31,179

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129

Jul 18, 2005

#8

• Jul 18, 2005

• #8

Mr Gasket are very nice stats - that would be my choice.

If the car only ran hotter while stationary, the fan/fan clutch are possible. If this happened while at speed, I would look elsewhere.

Good luck.

 

sgarlic

Founding Member

Apr 21, 2001

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Jul 18, 2005

#9

• Jul 18, 2005

• #9

So wait a second.. it boiled over at 210?

 

ill advised

Member

Apr 29, 2003

656

10

19

West L.A.

Jul 18, 2005

#10

• Jul 18, 2005

• #10

My first thought is also "air in the system". Let it idle for a while (cap off, heater on). It may start to spit up coolant every few minutes. If so, let it finish then re-fill.

 

fordman54935

Member

Jan 10, 2003

301

0

16

Wisconsin

Jul 18, 2005

#11

• Jul 18, 2005

• #11

sgarlic said:

So wait a second.. it boiled over at 210?

Click to expand...

Well I saw the guage (autometer electric) read 210 and shut it off. The coolant is a perfect 50/50 mix of brand new stuff. By the time I coasted into a parking lot and popped the hood, it yakked coolant on the ground. So obviously the temperature flashed higher after the engine shut off.

 

A

AmMscl

Member

Feb 14, 2004

38

0

7

CALI

Jul 18, 2005

#12

• Jul 18, 2005

• #12

ill advised said:

My first thought is also "air in the system". Let it idle for a while (cap off, heater on). It may start to spit up coolant every few minutes. If so, let it finish then re-fill.

Click to expand...

My thoughts too:
Also look for bubbles or foaming while cap is off......signs of gasket failure.
Not always will you see oil and water mix during a gasket failure...

 

A

AmMscl

Member

Feb 14, 2004

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CALI

Jul 18, 2005

#13

• Jul 18, 2005

• #13

fordman54935 said:

I would sure like to think its not a head gasket because I just put Thumper heads on a few months ago. There is no smoke and the oil looks great.

Click to expand...

When you did the head swap....did you flip over one gasket to match the water jackets up.......this is a common mistake and causes a intermittent problem. when looking at a Fel Pro head gasket on a small block FORD (5.0) one will be upside down for proper installation!

 

fordman54935

Member

Jan 10, 2003

301

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Wisconsin

Jul 19, 2005

#14

• Jul 19, 2005

• #14

AmMscl said:

When you did the head swap....did you flip over one gasket to match the water jackets up.......this is a common mistake and causes a intermittent problem. when looking at a Fel Pro head gasket on a small block FORD (5.0) one will be upside down for proper installation!

Click to expand...

Yup, I know for a fact the head gaskets were put on right. I'm not getting any milkshake oil or foamy coolant at all.

 

A

AmMscl

Member

Feb 14, 2004

38

0

7

CALI

Jul 19, 2005

#15

• Jul 19, 2005

• #15

fordman54935 said:

Yup, I know for a fact the head gaskets were put on right. I'm not getting any milkshake oil or foamy coolant at all.

Click to expand...

I would look at the fan clutch good luck!