93 ATX overheating issue

[sleezevil]

Hey guys. I have a 93 3.2 atx. Since I've owned this SHO, the engine temp gauge has always been in the lower 1/4 of the temp range at operating temperature. Just a few days ago I had the temp gauge pretty quickly shoot up to the upper 1/4 and remain there. Let it sit over night, drove it the next day and within 2 miles of 25-35 mph driving, the temperature went from all the way cold to the upper 1/4. I'm guessing thermostat is suspect? Anybody else have any ideas? Also, when the engine is warm, are both cooling fans supposed to be running? I currently only see one running at idle.

 

[sleezevil]

Correction. Did some more playing around with it, both fans are currently running so that rules the fan out. Took a quick 1 mile drive to the grocery store and in that time the temp gauge made it all the way to between N and O. Thermostat is on the block to be replaced tomorrow. Does anybody have a written out walkthrough? or guide to help with thermostat replacement?

 

[Fordlover96]

Replacing the thermostat is very easy. All you do is make sure the engine is cold, drain as much coolant out of the petcock on the radiator as you can, remove the upper radiator hose. Then comes removing the thermostat housing. The Thermostat housing is the piece of round pipe that has a slight bend in it toward the front of the car and is held onto the engine block with two bolts. Removing those two bolts and out pops is the thermostat. The new thermostat goes in with the big round flat part pointing of the engine, and don't forget the new seal that goes AROUND the circumference of the thermostat (I learned that one the hard way). Just put those two things in, bolt the housing back on, put the radiator hose back on, and don't forget to close the petcock on the radiator! Then just add coolant directly to the radiator, leaving the radiator cap off, run the engine until the car reaches operating temperature and then top off the coolant in the radiator and bottle. (FYI, the final procedure can get kind of messy because as the bubbles are released out the radiator neck it will spill coolant everywhere and just make sure the radiator isn't run dry during this procedure!!!)

 

[sleezevil]

Thanks for the reply! I'll be getting this done tomorrow. Hopefully that solves my issue. Where is the petcock located on the rad?

 

[Fordlover96]

Its on the bottom, drivers side of the radiator.

 

[rubydist]

the only thing incorrect about what Fordlover described above is that the thermostat housing does not bolt to the block, it bolts to that spider-looking piece of coolant plumbing that attaches to both front and rear heads.

its not a tough job to change, but you do need a 10mm socket on a long extension to reach the lower nut on the t-stat housing.

 

[sleezevil]

Well that was simple. Thermostat replaced, and radiator refilled and burped. Engine temp stayed right around R and M during idle and throttle play. I haven't had a chance to get it out on the road yet, gotta wait until the little one wakes up from his nap. I appreciate the help greatly! The task of changing it out didn't take me long at all. Will update after road test.

 

[tery]

What a great website!!!