overheating...?

mike97gt · Jun 4, 2007

so i have a 97 gt.. bought it in february and havent really driven it in hot weather.
now just the other day it got to 30 degrees celcius and the temperature got to the L in [NORMAL].
i've checked it out and couldnt really figure it out myself.
i'm thinking either the water pump (which isnt making any noise but could be the problem), the thermostat being shot, or the relay for the rad fan not working properly.
anyone have any input/advice? or had any similar problems?

any help is appreciated. thanx!

scarface · Jun 4, 2007

try a radiator flush...could just be stopped up.

98vortech · Jun 4, 2007

how would you flush it without takin it somewhere? just take all the hoses loose and run water through it in the driveway?? :dunno:

mike97gt · Jun 4, 2007

i drained it, ran water thru the system, drained the water.. and then filled it with coolant.. hasnt changed anything. would a flush/back-flush be worthwhile after that?

and if my thermostat was shot would it possibly stay half closed or w/e and make the car run hotter?

scarface · Jun 5, 2007

mike97gt said:
i drained it, ran water thru the system, drained the water.. and then filled it with coolant.. hasnt changed anything. would a flush/back-flush be worthwhile after that?

and if my thermostat was shot would it possibly stay half closed or w/e and make the car run hotter?

you did a good flush then. Try the cheapest things first. Thermostat should be checked next.

DropTopPony · Jun 5, 2007

yes good advice, start with the cheapest thing...your Tstat could stick and not do its job...The cooling systems are marginal on these cars and yours is the "updated" version over mine but still not great. I've noticed over the years that the more i add the more i smack myself for not getting a Fluidyne Radiator years ago. I just bought one and holding it up and looking at it makes the stock one look like a oil cooler...I'm also going with a better flowing water pump from Stewart Components because i want my car to run cool and last another 12 years

scarface · Jun 5, 2007

DropTopPony said:
yes good advice, start with the cheapest thing...your Tstat could stick and not do its job...The cooling systems are marginal on these cars and yours is the "updated" version over mine but still not great. I've noticed over the years that the more i add the more i smack myself for not getting a Fluidyne Radiator years ago. I just bought one and holding it up and looking at it makes the stock one look like a oil cooler...I'm also going with a better flowing water pump from Stewart Components because i want my car to run cool and last another 12 years

you just want to put antique tags on it...lol

powerfreak · Jun 5, 2007

First thing I'd do it check to make sure the fan is coming on. If yes, than flush out the radiator and change the T-stat. If that doesn't help, than you have bigger problems like a waterpump.

DropTopPony · Jun 5, 2007

scarface said:
DropTopPony said:

yes good advice, start with the cheapest thing...your Tstat could stick and not do its job...The cooling systems are marginal on these cars and yours is the "updated" version over mine but still not great. I've noticed over the years that the more i add the more i smack myself for not getting a Fluidyne Radiator years ago. I just bought one and holding it up and looking at it makes the stock one look like a oil cooler...I'm also going with a better flowing water pump from Stewart Components because i want my car to run cool and last another 12 years

Click to expand...

you just want to put antique tags on it...lol

i will as soon as i can...save alot on insurance :dancing6:

scarface · Jun 5, 2007

DropTopPony said:
scarface said:

DropTopPony said:

yes good advice, start with the cheapest thing...your Tstat could stick and not do its job...The cooling systems are marginal on these cars and yours is the "updated" version over mine but still not great. I've noticed over the years that the more i add the more i smack myself for not getting a Fluidyne Radiator years ago. I just bought one and holding it up and looking at it makes the stock one look like a oil cooler...I'm also going with a better flowing water pump from Stewart Components because i want my car to run cool and last another 12 years

Click to expand...

you just want to put antique tags on it...lol

Click to expand...

i will as soon as i can...save alot on insurance :dancing6:

yep, and no inspections here in Va with those tags

DropTopPony · Jun 5, 2007

none here either, they just check the mileage and make sure you are under the like 5k a year allowance...i haven't driven it 5k in the last 5 years.

mike97gt · Jun 5, 2007

well i'm heading to ford today to grab a new thermostat. hopefully that works out.
dont feel like replacing the waterpump. always makes a mess. haha

does ford sell cool running t-stats? or would i have to find one aftermarket?

scarface · Jun 5, 2007

mike97gt said:
well i'm heading to ford today to grab a new thermostat. hopefully that works out.
dont feel like replacing the waterpump. always makes a mess. haha

does ford sell cool running t-stats? or would i have to find one aftermarket?

I got a 180 from my local parts store...like 2 bux. worked great on my supercharged car for years.

mike97gt · Jun 5, 2007

k well i'll see what i can pick up. hopefully it solves my problem.
thanx

scarface · Jun 5, 2007

good luck

mike97gt · Jun 5, 2007

thermostat didnt change anything.. although i did notice a slight difference between the new one and the old one.

i think my heater core/blower motor is making noise.. as if like a bearing or something is shot.
so that may be the problem and not letting coolant flow as good as it should be.
anyone ever replace theirs? how difficult is it and how long does it usually take?

19mustang95 · Jun 6, 2007

when you put in the new thermostat, did you drill a small hole in it?

mike97gt · Jun 6, 2007

nope.. wut does that do?

stanger2125 · Jun 6, 2007

I use a MR. Gasket 180 degrees therm. Works great. Make sure the fan work at the right time also.

mike97gt · Jun 6, 2007

yea the fans working fine, also the thermostat is working properly. i noticed the temp drop down abit when it opened. but maybe i'll drill a bypass hole in the top of it just to make sure.

and i was thinking back today... when i did my flush i only got like 7 litres out of it. so i'm thinking its clogged somewhere or else a LOT of trapped air in the lines.
any good products out there i can flush with to clean it out at all?