mysterious overheating problem

[SideSHO09]

i have a 92 mtx and i dont know what the **** is wrong with this car and why it keeps overheating and running way to hot.
I did the 60k about 10k miles ago with new water pump, hoses and even a brand spankin new 2 row radiator.
Basically the only things that werent changed in the cooling system was the bottom hose and the fan.
i live in Phoenix az where it is a consistent 110 everyday.
I was thinking blown head gasket so i went to autozone and bought 2 cans of that k&w block sealer and still no relief.
Im at my witts end on this one. Im about one step from selling it and buying another sho.
i like the car and would like to keep it but what else do i check?
Also the system over pressurizes causing the coolant to boil over out of the radiator and overfills the reservoir spilling over onto the ground when the engine gets hot.
please help
also are there any competent sho mechanics in az that i could get help from?

 

[Blackdr16]

did you replace your thermostat? How high does your temp. gauge go up? I wouldnt think u have a leak because of your high pressure building up and boiling over

 

[randy'sho]

check to make sure that your fan is coming on strong! I had similar problem with my 93 a few years back....come to find out the fan was coming on, but not strong enough to cool the engine down....just a thought~

 

[NEp8ntballer]

thermostat, fan motor, radiator cap, back flush to check for the block being plugged up.

 

[92MTX]

Radiator caps are a wear item....
Get it checked, or get another one...
Pep boys will test it for free..

 

[shocar]

Have some one use a tempeture sensor gun on it to verify that it is overheating to make sure the sending unit and the gauge is correct. Does the car boil over or is just the guage that is telling you it is hot?

 

[SideSHO09]

replaced the original thermo at first with a 180 and it still ran hot so i put in a 192 or whatever stock is and still the same problem. the thermo in the car is practically new and I also put in a new 16 lb cap direct from the ford dealer.
Come to think of it the fan does seem kind of weak. If i put my hand in the front where the ford oval is in that little opening there doesnt seem to be that much air being pulled out of the engine compartment so the fan might not be pulling enough air. Question: where can i get a good strong fan and how much can i expect to pay?
Also i had the temp verified with a laser gun and it is indeed running way to hot. the guage a lot of times gets to the last mark in the normal range above the N but never gets out of normal into the red. When the guage gets to that last mark the check engine light comes on until the needle goes back down a little. Also the water is boiling over, i can hear it and see it?
Also is it possible that the head gasket could be blown? I know the 3.0 and 3.2 arent really known for head gasket failures. The reason i wouldnt think hg is because there is no oil in coolant, no coolant in oil, no white smoke and absolutely no loss of power even when the car is running hot. I am loosing coolant, I have to put in about a half gallon every morning but there are no visible external leaks, so where the **** is it going?
I would hate to have to get rid of this car as it has been pretty dependable and strong running.
so from what you guys told me i should back flush, new fan and what else?

 

[randy'sho]

my bet is on the fan like i stated in the above post....I got mine from a local junk yard for almost nothing....good luck and let us know what you find out!

 

[frosho]

I'd get the cooling system pressure checked. Are you putting a half gallon into the radiator every morning, or into the overflow tank? I wouldn't be surprised if there are air pockets in the engine with a leak that substantial.

 

[SideSHO09]

If there is a leak where or what would the water be leaking into? I think I'm gonna drop a new motor. Can anyone point me in the right direction as far as getting a good used motor. I think this 3.0 might be close to being done with as many times as its been running hot.
Thanks for the help guys.

 

[SideSHO09]

UPDATE:
Got this overheating problem fixed. Come to find out the old fan was bad. It was coming on but not strong enough to cool the motor. Bought a used fan from a 92 with a blown radiator and like magic the engine no longer overheats. The needle stays between the R and M all the time. The fan actually cycles on and off. The old fan ran constantly until i shut the car off and let it cool.
I really thought this was a mojor problem. Im so relieved.
This motor must be in pretty good shape if a big overheating problem can be cured with just a fan changeover.
Thanks for the help guys