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twotall4u99201
Novice
Aug 24, 2010, 10:59 AM
Post #1 of 9
(2563 views)
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96 Explorer overheating.
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I have a "new to me"
1996
Ford
Explorer XL
The smaller 6cyl. motor
Just under 130K
I noticed when i got home from work that the engine temp was close to the top of the dial. It had never been that high in the month ive owned the thing. I got out and checked the fluid lvl's and all looked ok. There was no leaking of fluid visible. The serpentine belt was still intact and when i started the motor back up a few min. later i looked to see if there was anything that looked off. Every pully and wheel was spinning normally with no wobble of rattling noise. The fan was sniping fine and there was no new obstruction on my radiator.
So after all that i am assuming that the thermostat went bad or the water pump. Like i stated earlier, this is a new rig for me but if it is the water pump wouldn't i hear a rattle (bad bearings) or see a wobble in the fan spinning or see some leaking.
Anyway, is there anything im not thinking of and/or how hard is it to change the thermostat. Ive never done it before but i have a decent mechanical inclination. (grew up as a farm kid)
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Hammer Time
Ultimate Carjunky
/ Moderator
Aug 24, 2010, 11:11 AM
Post #2 of 9
(2557 views)
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Re: 96 Explorer overheating.
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That's not a conclusion you should be jumping to. The first thing you should be doing is checking for coolant loss and pressure testing the cooling system for any leakage. I suspect the seller may have had a previous overheating problem which led to a blown head gasket.
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We offer help in answering questions, clarifying things or giving advice but we are not a substitute for an on-site inspection by a professional.
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twotall4u99201
Novice
Aug 24, 2010, 11:18 AM
Post #3 of 9
(2554 views)
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Re: 96 Explorer overheating.
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I hope that is not he problem. I bought it from my uncle. He is the type that took it to a shop when ever something was wrong and takes care of his cars. I spoke to him last night and he said that he never had a problem with over heating before but that cooling system has not had anything done to it other than a flush since he bought it new
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twotall4u99201
Novice
Aug 24, 2010, 11:22 AM
Post #4 of 9
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Re: 96 Explorer overheating.
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should i check to see if there is oil in the water. The coolant lvl's were still normal this morning.
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Hammer Time
Ultimate Carjunky
/ Moderator
Aug 24, 2010, 11:44 AM
Post #5 of 9
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Re: 96 Explorer overheating.
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You can try a thermostat but I have a feeling that it's going to go a little deeper than that. Make sure the radiator itself is staying full.
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We offer help in answering questions, clarifying things or giving advice but we are not a substitute for an on-site inspection by a professional.
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twotall4u99201
Novice
Aug 24, 2010, 12:07 PM
Post #6 of 9
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Re: 96 Explorer overheating.
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Ty for the heads up on the more significant problems that i should be aware of. I sure hope its the thermostat. The fluids are still normal (i did remove the cap and saw the radiator was still full, not just the reservoir ) and there was no AntiFreeze smell or steam coming out of my exhaust when it happened so im hoping for the best.
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twotall4u99201
Novice
Aug 25, 2010, 10:02 AM
Post #7 of 9
(2537 views)
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Re: 96 Explorer overheating.
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I changed the thermostat last night and all seems to be fine now. No overheating and no leaking. Im glad it was a $8 fix. LOL lucky me
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Hammer Time
Ultimate Carjunky
/ Moderator
Aug 25, 2010, 10:35 AM
Post #8 of 9
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Re: 96 Explorer overheating.
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Keep an eye on the coolant level. It's very unusual for a thermostat to act that way unless it came apart and got lodged in there..
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We offer help in answering questions, clarifying things or giving advice but we are not a substitute for an on-site inspection by a professional.
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Tom Greenleaf
Ultimate Carjunky
/ Moderator
Aug 26, 2010, 2:11 AM
Post #9 of 9
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Re: 96 Explorer overheating.
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TooTall - As Hammer suggested do keep an eye on everything for a while. Over decades I don't find many thermostats bad - just luck or who knows. If you have the old one, boil it and watch it open wide or not would be a nice followup test. I have seen them miss the arch with the little push rod from the wax pellet (usually copper looking thing) and stay shut.
Feel the heat of air from the fan CAREFULLY PLEASE coming off the radiator when fully warmed up.
You may have gotten lucky - it happens. Toss the old t-stat when done anyway but I would watch the thing as said in a pan of water just to know it had a problem,
T
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