Overheating SHO?

[RCHare]

Hey, new to the forum here, just recently picked up a 95 mtx, 119k on it. It goes really good, except I swear it's running way too warm. I work in an auto shop, and most of the guys there say "oh, don't worry about it" but I'm just not sure. I think I need the opinion of some people who know these cars a little better than I.

I've attached a pic of the highest it's gotten.

Please give me opinions

 

[rubydist]

That is likley too hot. Unfortunately there is a lot of variation in how the factory gauges read, so you will need a "real" temperature gauge or gun to know what the temp really is. In my experience, the wide variations in temperature reading on the gauge were indicative of a sticking thermostat which needed replaced.

 

[SHOVNST]

I agree with Fred. If the thermostat wasn't already replaced with a Motorcraft brand, that should be your next step. I haven't come across an aftermarket t-stat for the old SHOs that rivals the quality of a Motorcraft. They aren't a high dollar item. Well worth the extra few $$$.

 

[Irish Pride]

You first want to get and accurate reading as to what the temp really is. If you do decide to change the thermostat I would change the coolant temp sensor too. I've seen a big difference on the gauge just by switching it out.

 

[itwonder]

I've had good luck with Autozone's Duralast 15878 thermostat, and Felpro 35278 seal. It has the proper jiggle valve. It's a 180 degree unit, which should lower your gauge reading some assuming there's a 195/192 degree unit in there now. If you run with the A/C on, the electric cooling fan will be on all the time, if at less than 50 mph, which should keep the gauge more toward the center. It is normal for the SHO temperature gauge to have wide swings as the cooling fan cycles on an off, compared to most cars. Hopefully, that high reading you see is just before the cooling fan kicks in, and not while the fan is running. Another thing to check; I can't recall whether or not the 95 MTX has a two-speed cooling fan. If it does, make sure it's working on low speed, and not just the high speed.

 

[tery]

I can echo the fact that a switched out sensor can change where the gauge reads, even though nothing else (thermostat) was changed

 

[Off Road SHO]

A thermostat's job is to keep the engine warm, not cool. The radiator keeps it cool, so much so that you need a thermostat in the path to restrict the flow through the radiator. No themostat at all in the engine will also cause a hot coolant condition because the coolant is moving so fast through the radiator that the radiator can't transfer enough heat into the airstream. Also, a poorly performing or incorrect coolant temp sending unit, (the one with the single wire feeds the gauge) will send the wrong resistance to the gauge. Another thing that causes a high temp reading on the gauge is insufficient coolant in the engine and radiator, thereby causing the sending unit to only experience hot air. In this instance the needle will fluctuate rapidly as it experiences air then coolant then air again.

Tom