I have a 96 saleen s 281, it runs warmer then i think it should . It will always cools down but why is it running so warm? The fans is working correctly coolant is good. I also have the little light that comes on in the dash with the little fan on but it always goes away. What would it hurt to just unplug that sensor so the light does not come on.
Roush running warm
- Thread starter 96 saleen #326
- Start date
marcus95
Active Member
Never unplug a sensor.... try to fix the problem.
Is it the original radiator? Changed any hoses lately? 10 years old, I'd spend a few buck and have a cooling system flush. That would be the first thing. If you do it yourself, inspect as much as you can from the bottom of the radiator/hose connection. You may be due for a thermostat and or radiator. Just a thought. If your car is not supercharged rememeber everything is stock Ford Mustang GT.
Is it the original radiator? Changed any hoses lately? 10 years old, I'd spend a few buck and have a cooling system flush. That would be the first thing. If you do it yourself, inspect as much as you can from the bottom of the radiator/hose connection. You may be due for a thermostat and or radiator. Just a thought. If your car is not supercharged rememeber everything is stock Ford Mustang GT.
S351R"Animal"
20+ Year Stangneter 
Didn't Ford have a cooling issue that was covered by a recall on the 96-98 cars? I know they did for the V6 cars but, I remember a recall kit that upgraded the cooling on the modular cars.
That was related to the 96 Cobra. I have never heard of an issue with the GT or 6er.
FASN8N
Member
When I had my 96 S281 it ran warm, but I never had any problems with it. I added a Fluidyne radiator b/c I got a great deal on a group purchase at the time.
The 96-98 cars (GT's) had issues with a crossover pipe on the plastic intake cracking. The early TSB's replaced the manifolds with a newer design but still all plastic. The later designs had an aluminium crossover pipe. My car's original manifold crossover cracked at about 25,000 miles, Ford replaced it under warranty. The second manifold also cracked at 46,000 miles and it was replaced with the aluminium/plastic manifold.
After the first replacement, Ford gave me a letter documenting the first repair and extending the warranty on the manifold for an additional 36,000 miles. The second manifold was also covered under warranty, but I had to remind the dealer that I had an extended warranty.
The first incident was pretty catastrophic, I was accelerating onto the freeway and the crossover cracked, spewing coolent all over the engine and windshield. The second incident was similar to what you are experiencing, intermittant overheating.
Check the underside of the crossover pipe on your manifold. It's the first black plastic tube connecting the heads on the front of the 4.6 motor. Feel around underneath it and in the vee between the heads for any coolent.
You should be able to get a replacement manifold with the aluminium crossover at a junk yard or at the dealer. Remember to get the one for the original 96-98 heads, not the PI heads.
Larry
97-0183
After the first replacement, Ford gave me a letter documenting the first repair and extending the warranty on the manifold for an additional 36,000 miles. The second manifold was also covered under warranty, but I had to remind the dealer that I had an extended warranty.
The first incident was pretty catastrophic, I was accelerating onto the freeway and the crossover cracked, spewing coolent all over the engine and windshield. The second incident was similar to what you are experiencing, intermittant overheating.
Check the underside of the crossover pipe on your manifold. It's the first black plastic tube connecting the heads on the front of the 4.6 motor. Feel around underneath it and in the vee between the heads for any coolent.
You should be able to get a replacement manifold with the aluminium crossover at a junk yard or at the dealer. Remember to get the one for the original 96-98 heads, not the PI heads.
Larry
97-0183
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