Engine overheating

[redftsho]

I dont know if this is a problem, but everytime i gun it up a hill the check engine light will come on. Also it will get up around the R to the O region in the word NORMAL on the temp gauge. Sometimes the low coolant light will flash, but ive checked the coolant serveral serveral times and it is completely ok. Can anyone tell me if they think anything is up?

Thanks

 

[sdpatt]

Don't make us guess. Please check the codes. It is so simple to do. Just look here. The 2 or 3 digit code descriptions are available through the links near the top of that page.

The LOW COOLANT light signal is sourced from the sensor in the coolant expansion bottle, not the radiator. Just remove the cap and the remaining black portion at the neck is the top of the sensor that hangs into the tank. The metal tabs on the bottom of the sensor are either covered with crud or corroded into rusted stubs. Either clean or replace. Scrape the crud off or a new sensor is not very expensive and very easy to install.

And "O-R" is not overheating. It is still in the NORMAL range. Only when it gets above the top white mark of the NORMAL range is it overheating. If your car is a 3.2L (ATX), "O-R" is about the temperature where the radiator fans kick on. Not a threat to the engine.

<small>[ January 14, 2003, 10:44 PM: Message edited by: sdpatt ]</small>

 

[redftsho]

I know exactly where the coolant tank is, and that is what i was checking. Also i know where the sensor is. I'm not trying to make you guess anything, but what you gave me about the fan kicking on is just what i needed.
Thanks

 

[SHOZ123]

What is it about NORMAL that people don't understand? Ford's temp gauges have never been or have never meant to be linear.

The first line (C) on a Ford gauge usually is somewhere around 120F. The first part of the NORMAL range is ~150F. The top of the NORMAL range is ~220F.