Engine Temp Sensor?

[MickieMagik(OH)]

Sorry if this is a simple question. I just got my SHO (1991) and I drove it for a bout 4 miles and the temp never went up. While at a stop light I noticed some steam or smoke coming from under the hood. Not too much, but enough to worry about. It may be just from sitting for so long, but with the gauge not functioning who knows. My question is, where is the engine temp sensor for the coolant? Also, if this is not hooked up would the car still regulate normal cooling operations? Thanks guys!

 

[SHOtimer]

Uhm, well how long did the car sit? Yes, if the gauge is not hooked up you will have a normal operating cooling system you just won't know where the temp is.

You could have a leaky hose, radiator, or waterpump. You gauge might be hooked up, but if the thermostat is malfunctioning the motor might not have heated up, which it should have by that time. The thermostat is located right underneath were the rubber intake hose meets the TB (the upper rad hose goes into the housing that holds the thermostat). To the left of that housing is the single wire coolant temp sender, which sends the singal to the dash gauge. To the right of the thermostat is the ECT, (Engine coolant temp) sensor, which sends the temp of the coolant to the computer to regulate mixture and other stuff.

You should locate the coolant leak and fix it, and if the thermostat is stuck and isn't letting the car warm up you need to replace that as it will have adverse effects on the car. It prolly wouldn't hurt to replace both coolant sensors also.


Doug

 

[MickieMagik(OH)]

Cool, just checked it out. Found there to be a coolent leak and it was pretty dry. Filled the radiator up and the gauge is working. THere seems to be a leak from where I would say the water pump area, but it is hard to distinguish if it is indeed the water pump. The car never overheated while I ran it, but it does have a leak. Am I correct to assume the pump is still functioning, but maybe the gasket is leaking?

 

[SHOtimer]

If the belt is still turning the water pump then it is working. The only source of a coolant leak in the front portion of the motor is the water pump. Either the pump itself is leaking or the rubber O-rings that seal it to the block and crossover tube are leaking. They tend to dry out and do that when they get old. If your seals are leaking you might as well replace the pump while you have it all apart, and with everything else apart you could address replacing other things, like the timing belt and the oil seals on the front of the motor. They are cheap and you have everything apart anyway. If your water pump is leaking it will eventually destroy your CPS and leave you stranded somewhere, which you will probably not enjoy.

Doug

 

[MickieMagik(OH)]

Thanks Doug. I have a buddy who is a mechanic for Ford so I can utilize his lifts, tools, and discounts (If dealers carry the parts). So hopefully I can get her going right.